The trip to Shadowdale

[steveflam]

Elvira pipes up, though frustrated at not having seconds or thirds. "I'll stay here and keep you guys out of trouble!" she giggles "Nah we're fine I'll keep a look out".


"I promise I wont be brash or impulsive, Renad. Besides Thalar is with me, he is older and more experienced. I'll follow his lead. There is a mage eh? How that one will feel the wrath of my blade!No offence Inovidil but it is a mage after all, and you know how I feel about mages!" she smiles and follows Thalar observing his every move, how he tracks.

They follow the tracks until Thalar stops, putting his hand on Brethana's shoulder. "We are not far now. See throught the trees there? It opens a little into a clearing. The birds are quiet, remember that. Usually at this time of the morning they are chirping happily. This means those 7 are awake already.Try to be quiet as you follow me, we will get clkose enough and climb a tree each to watch the brigands, ok?"

Brethana nods and smiles, aching for action but following the party's advice. They get as close as Thalar sees fit, and they each climb a tree. ONce up top they see the brigand camp. As Thalar thought,the brigands were awake and eating, getting ready to leave.


Thalar and Brethana looked at each other and Thalar signalled her to stay, that he was going back to get the others.

Thalar returns alone and explains what he saw. "We need to hurry. I dont know if Brethana will stay hidden for long, especially if she sees who the wizard is guys". They head out and meet up with Brethana who climbs down.

[VAN]

"I think we should stick to the plan we had the last time. I will be invisible and try to get them with my spell which disables them. Thalar will shoot from the tree. Kel and Brethana will attack with their swords, Renad will or cast spells or attack with his morning star ans Elvira will hide and atack them from behind. Get the wizard first" Says Inovidil.

[steveflam]

Thalar nods and cocks his bow silently approaching the campsite. To his dismay, the brigands leave teh camp at the same time. Thinking fast, taking aim, he lets an arrow fly at the mage, hitting him in the arm. The rest of the brigands rush the party. Brethana rushes forward and tackles the first brigand she sees. They roll on the ground,finally coming to a stop.


Elvira takes aim and tosses both her daggers at the mage, 1 hitting the mark, the other barely missing.

Thalar leave shis bow and removes his long sword, attacking the next brigand.

[VAN]

Inovidil gets invisible and then casts another spell on herself.

Renad prays to Pelor to protect tham all and then prays again touching his chest. A white light appears covering his body.

Kel charges a bandit and slashing with his great sword deals him a serious wound at his chest.

The wizard seeing the party attacking curses and releases a bolt of lihting against Thalar.

OOC> Inovidil has casted invisibility and mirror image.
Renad has casted bless and divine favor.

[steveflam]

Thalar gets hit by the bolt, shaking then falling to the ground in convulsions. Elvira rushes to fight the brigand he was fighting, narrowly missing him with her daggers.

Brethana ends up on top of the brigand and grabbing his neck starts to choke him. He punches her in the face as she lets go and they tussle more on the ground, her nose bleeding now. Stopping tumbling she headbutts him in the face, stunning him. Now she chokes him knees on his arms. He thrashes but to no avail as she chokes him to death.

The brigand slashes at Elvira but misses. She slashes twice, once missing the other cuttting him deeply across the chest.

Thalalr tries to get up but fails and collapses unconcious to the ground.

[VAN]

"Thalar" Yells Kel as the bandit's sword gets his briest plate only a few inches beneath his neck. The furious fighter slashes with all his strength getting one more tine the bandit's chest. The man colapses to the ground but Kel doesn't rest to see if he is dead or just unconcious.

"Get these bastards." Yells the wizard and releases another bolt of lighting against Kel this time.

The bolt gets the fighter as long as two arrows.

"Holly Pelor... give me the strenth to save my friend."Says Renad and getting his morning star runs toward Thalar. But three bandits cut his way holding their swords. They never manage to hit him though. Inovidil always invisible begins chanting, aiming at them. A vivid cone of interwinted, clashing colors springs from her hands. Two bandits fell asleep and the other one get his head unable to move.

"Go Renad."Says the witch as she appears with 3 images around her.

[steveflam]

Removing her great sword from her back, Brethana charges the remaining brigand, growling and snarling. As the brigand is concentrated on Renad, he does not see Brethana, only hear her. At the last moment as he turns, her blade slices and she cuts his head in 2. He falls lifeless to the floor. She looks for another target, telling Renad "Help him we've got these bastards".


Elvira stabs the brigand twice after he misses her, and he falls lifeless to the ground. She turns to the mage and grins evilly, her 2 bloody daggers leading her. Brethana also rushes the mage now.

[VAN]

But neither the elf nor the halfling manage even to approach the mage, Kel gets him first. His great sword slashes the mage's belly which lifeless body fell to the ground. One more arrow has been hot against the furious fighter getting him to the leg. The last brigard shoots against Inovidil but he only geta an image.

The evoker smiles and two lighting darts leave from her pointed fingers and get the man. The same time with a loud noise a land of force leaves from Renad's hands and gets the same bandit piercing his chest.

"Get the lasy one with teh bow"Yells Renad as finally reaches Thalar.

OOC> Inovidil magic missile and Renad sound lance.

[steveflam]

Both Brethana and Elvira turn to the archer and rush him. Elvira throws a dagger at him narrowly missing both times, as an arrow just barely misses her face. Brethana arrives at the archer, and without missing a step, from hip to sternum, she slices him in 2 as the dead body falls to the ground lifeless.


The party searches the brigands and find several pouches,a book,3 scrolls and a ring on the mage. Once Thalar is healed, they breath easier. "Is everyone ok?" he asks. "That lightning bolt hit me good that time.WHat have we got from these bastards?"he asks.


Elvira smiles at Thalar and the others"It looks like a few nudred gold pieces, some arcane book which will be good for Inovidil as well as a ring.I'm really glad that this town won't be bothered by these brigands anymore, we did a good thing here today guys".


Brethana spits on the dead mage and nudges him with her foot while looking at Kel "Nice one there, he had no chance at all.We will head back to the town and tell the innkeeper right?"

"Yes Brethana we will"Thalar says.

They head back to town and the inn, after burning the bodies in the campsite.

[VAN]

The innkeeper doesn't believe what he has heard.

"You... You have defeated the black cloaks? All of them? Oh, Pelor bless all of you guys, our town will be grateful to you forever. Of course you can stay to inn free any time you want."

"Thank you sir, we have only done our duty. These brigards were indeed very powerful, fortunately Pelor was by our side."Says Renad.

Inovidil barely listen the cleric's words, she is sitting at a table looking the spellbook. Her heart is beating faster for the hapiness. She has found some important spells there.

"I get spells and 3 scrolls all at once and tomorrow I'll identify the ring. I'm very happy!" Says the witch more to herself than to someone in particular.

[steveflam]

Brethana smiles as she hands over a little pouch to Inovidil,"Well here is some gold I wont need that you can use for your research, AHAHAHAAH!" she laughs really hard then pats Inovidil on the back gently. "You're ok in my book even though you are a mage!".


Elvira and Thalar sit together separating the gold and leaving a pile for the dead guards families. Thalr hands it over to the innkeeper, "This is for the dead guard's families. I hope it helps them in some way".

Elvira sighs Well at least someone will get to enjoy "our" gold! Maybe next time I'll keep some just for me. Oh well there's always ale and food!

[VAN]

Theinnkeepre doesn't believe at his eyes, he open his mouth wide in order to speak then he closes it only to re open it a few seconds later.

"I don't know how to thank all of you. We are poor people here and this money will be more than enough to their families."

"We have told you before, we just did our duty. We couldn't leave these scums kill and steal a town."Says Renad.

"Thank you Brethana. Are you sure you want me to have this money since I'll use them to get spells, scribe scrolls etc?"Says Inovidil with a smile as puts the purse at pocket of her cloak.

[steveflam]

"Yes you can have it as long as you try that spell on me to make me stronger" Brethana winks and flexes her arm muscles on purpose, giggling.

Thalar grins as he slides a purse over to Inovidil as well"Here's my contribution to your research,friend. I have little needs and this will go to a worthy cause" He leans down and kisses Inovidil's forehead, and winks.
"Use that money wisely young lady!" Laughing slightly then looking to Brethana "Well Brethana, you were wonderring about that elvish blade and how to use it?We have the whole day before us and it is beautiful outside. Let us proceed to the forest where it is peaceful and we will have no interruptions." Putting his hand on her shoulder he smiles, then walks out, knowing she will follow. Brethana does and they go off for a few hours, Thalar teaching Brethana the finer points of using the elvish blade.

"Inovidil, ya think that's too much gold you got there, pal? If it is I could always use more, to get more ale and food of course" Elvira laughs almost falling off her chair. "Well I'm glad that's over. Those brigands give people like me a bad name! Innkeeper I'll have a meal and some ale!Psst Inovidil we have all day before us, wanna get drunk?" She asks and winks lewdly. Giggling she asks Inovidil"Ya think Thalar will only show Brethana how to use that blade?Hmmm?I bet they do more than that!" With the Elvira laughs so hard she almost cries, then settles down in time to receive her meal and ale.

[VAN]

"Hm...you set interesting points here my friend. I think that you should pay them a visit when they parctice! Of course after you have finished all the ale and the food in here. I will not join you, this time though. I want to get this scrolls to my spellbook. I adore having fun with you Elvira, you know that, but the magic is always first fir me. As about money... I think I can handle them"Says Inovidil while winking back to the halfling and then heads up to her room.

"I'll join you Elvira, I bet that I can manage to drink more than you this time! Renad?"

"No Kel, you know I don't like drinking too much. I'll go to the dead guards families and relieve their pain a little giving them the money. They will be glad."Says Renad.

[steveflam]

Thalar and Brethana find a quiet place to practice, and as the day progresses, Brethana feels more comfortable with holding only 1 blade in her hand instead of 2. "This is quite different, Thalar. My other hand feels, now might I put it. Left out? I am so used to holding my great sword in both hands. Maybe once Elvira teaches me about 2 weapons, 1 in each hand, I'll feel less awkward. I do agree that I have more mobility and can move easier though. Thanks Thalar" Brethana smiles shyly and continues practicing while Thalar takes a break observing her and smiling.

Well that is a good omen. She is more open minded than I thought of her.And she speaks so bluntly, which is odd for an elf. Usually it is in riddles and puzzles. This Sithicus I might actually like to visit some time(Shameless Promotion of Sithicus here ). SHe might even be an apt pupil for becoming a Ranger at that! He smiles to himself.



Elvira and Kel drink more than they should have. "You shink we should -um- try to uh find Breshana and Shalar, Kel?" "Well, hic, I shink, yeshh we should!" as he slams down his empty tankard awkwardly,keeping it in his hand. They get up and together they stumble out of the Inn and head towards the caravan ambush.

"Pshhht, El, I shink it's over zere" he points to the east and the forest. "Ok" she giggles. "Lets go,hic, yesh thats it".

They wander off a few metres then lean against a tree in plain view of the road. "Hey Kel, do you see 4 suns?" with that Elvira passes out. Kel tries to get up, but fails and nods off, snoring loudly.


Almost near sundown, Thalar and Brethana are on their way back, and spot Elvira and Kel asleep by a tree. Thalar frowns and as they approach the 2, he laughs out loud, seeing Kel's empty tankard by his open hand. Elvira is asleep in Kel's lap, snoring, as is Kel.

"Well Brethana, I think these 2 had too much to drink! I've got Kel, you take Elvira. I'll never understand the need to get drunk!" He laughs as he picks up Kel and tosses him over his shoulder"Ooomp! he's haevier than I thought".

Brethana picks Elvira up and tosses her over her shoulder "Mommy I dont want to eat the peas, give them to Browden..*burp* zzzzzzzzzzzzzz".
Elvira mumbles then falls back into a drunken stupor.

They take them back to the Inn and get them to bed, enjoying supper later with Inovidil who comes down from her studying to eat.Renad joins them.