=== Sarenith 22, 4712 ===
As I entered the Rusty Dragon I immediately spotted Sparna but it took me a few seconds to realize that Qatana was also sitting at the same table. I sat down with the group and ordered breakfast. It looks like the others had been there for a little while and the place was abuzz with take of the bound of 10 gold for each ear and a bounty on the Licktoad chief’s head of 500 gold. Ah Qatana hasn’t changed and simply stated
“I need money”
I of course quickly decided to join her in collecting goblin ears. Sparna decided to join. There were six others that I was not exactly sure what there capabilities were at the time. We were all ready to set out on this big adventure when Ameiko came over to the table to give advice. I have heard that she was once a great adventure and that is how she was able to purchase the Rusty Dragon. For some reason taverns almost have a spiritual vibe to me. This place fills up far more often then the church so maybe taverns are holy places.
Ivan signals the barmaid for another drink. She brings the drink.
Ivan “This is for the drink and this is for you. It can’t be easy dealing with all of these adventures”
Ivan looks the barmaid directly into eyes and pays for his drink and then gives the barmaid three silver. Ivan then goes back to listening to the discussion with Ameiko.
Ameiko has suggested that we find out what each of us can do. I proudly told then of my skill with the bow and suggested that I have access to some healing magic. I was supposed to be working on my magic; Koya did tell me that I needed to work on it until I get comfortable. I had a lot of fun with the spells that I can continually cast. Who couldn’t have fun creating water, creating light from nothing or breaking and then mending objects. I was just sitting there trying to remember the lessons from Koya when I notice that look from Ameiko. It would really help if I knew what that look was. My whole life Abby has been trying to teach me the different looks women can give you but they all look the same. He can never tell if it means pay attention, go way, or follow me to my room. Luckily Abby has simplified it and I should just always assume “Hey stop staring at my breasts”. So I focused on the beret in her hair.
I started thinking about the rumors about how she does not accept any sexual offers from the men in town. The rumor is that she has a lover. Recent experience makes me wonder if her lover is a man or if it is a woman. We decided to gather gear and head out to the warden in Brinestump Marsh to find out about the gobins. The rusty dragon was serving bacon today and I ordered some bacon and bread to have as lunch. The bacon is nice and crispy today.
I quickly purchased boots to repel water and then waited for other just outside the south bridge. Once again they covered the skills that each of us have.
The travel down to brinestump marsh was uneventful. We found the path that is supposed to lead the way to the warden. I had never been in the brinestump marsh before. It is not exactly safe for someone to go into the marches around here by them self’s. The trip to get to the wardens shack was fairly easy. I learned the Kali has a spell that cleans things and supposedly people, armor. The first bridge was slimy and dirty and she cleaned the bridge to make it easier to cross. I was the last to cross the bridge when I noticed that it was need of repair so I used mending to repair the bridge so that it will be safer on the way out. Kali and I repeated this cool trip on two other bridges. The warden should thank us for fixing his bridges.
As we got closer to the warden shack we discovered strange alien tracks on the right side of the path and what looked like Halfling and human tracks. It looked as though the human may have been chasing the Halfling but it was hard to tell. I thought that I was pretty good at tracking but it looks as if there are several that are significantly better then I am. They are considerably older then me so they obviously had more time to work on there skills. Anyway luckily the group is more concerned about collecting goblin bounties and not so much on putting an age limit on there companions.
We arrived that the warden’s shack earlier today. At first no one answer the door but then a Halfling answer the door all bloody and clearly injured. The others were trying to get information out the Halfling and I noticed a tension. At that moment I remembered that Koya had told me the true test of your magic mastery will be when you have to use it in a tense situation. I had to find out so I attempted to cast heal wounds and stepped forward to heal the Halfling. The great news as it worked perfectly and the bad news is that later we found out that this was not a Halfling but something called a stalker. I cast the spell stepped forward and put my hand on his chest to deliver the healing; exactly like Koya had shown me.
When Qatana basically pushed her way past the stalker I followed right behind her. Qatana was searching for mice. Not sure why but we did find a snake that seemed as though it lived here. The creature in the entry way seemed petrified of snakes and we found a room with caged snake food. This creature asked us to get rid of the snakes so I suggested to the Halfling creature that we could search the house and get rid of all of the snakes. He jumped at the idea of us getting rid of the snakes. Qatana and I went up stairs use the guise of searching for snakes. We had just finished a basic search of the three rooms upstairs when the stalker suddenly showed up. For some reason the others just let him go upstairs. I believe the others all attempted to climb the stairs to get to the Stalker but a single file stairway was a big advantage for the stalker. Olmas and Qatana were the only ones that could get into melee combat with this creature; I would think that the high buff people would have been able to keep him downstairs. I hit the creature with a very good shot from the bow. It was a hard shot being I have to make sure to not hit Qatana. I really couldn’t see the others but supposedly Sparna also helped kill the creature.
With the creature dead we again search the upstairs more carefully. I know that Qatana and I did not find the secret door initially but I am sure we would have found it. The real warden was healed by Qatana and very thankful for the rescue. He gave his magic cloak to us, it barely fits Sparna. Walthus also treated us to a wonderful meal; the stew was the perfect way to top off a bacon breakfast and lunch. I never realized that adventures eat so well. It took me a few minutes to get to sleep as I laid there for a little while listening to the interesting and wonderful night sounds coming from the swamp.
=== Sarenith 23, 4712 ===
Another wonderful breakfast from Walthus and we were on our way. Following the guidance of Walthus we travel all the way back out to the road and then down the other path to the Goblin fort. The trip was pretty easy up until we reach the fort. Well except the smells of the swamp.
The main gate of the fort had been pulled down. I think it was Sparna that said
“It was pushed down from the inside”
That must mean that something nasty attacked this fort and they did anything to get out. I don’t remember who but someone said that the goblins the left looked like they were being chased by skeletons. We decided to see who was still remaining in the fort. The pit in the center had some burnt bodies and it looks like we might get a couple of ears. Sparna climbed a short ladder and announced
“GOBLINS”
I moved around but could not see anything so I cast light on an arrow. Firing the arrow in the room provided light so that I could see and shoot. My two arrows seemed to have hit and now the room has enough light to see. It hit me when I had no target that I just instinctively cast the spell. That moment of pride vanished as goblins hanging out a window started shooting arrows at the party. Radella and I shoot back and those goblins were quickly killed. I have noticed that I was able to shoot two arrows in the same amount of time that Radella shoots one arrow. She seems to be better at a lot of other stuff but maybe just maybe I am actually a little better with the bow; Or maybe just a little lucky today.
The current goblins taken care of we press deeper into the fort. With the next wave there wasn’t any place to get a view to shoot. Olmas charged into the room so it must not be too many goblins. I was just keeping watch when Qatana ask me if I would mind going into the room and healing Qlmas. I cast the cure wounds spell, stepped into the room next to Olmas, and then touched him on the back just like Koya had shown him. Wow in just two days of adventuring I have used both techniques for delivering a Cure wounds spell. I was a little worried that in the heat of the moment that I would get it wrong. The last goblin was trying to get away I put an arrow in him but he continued to move forward opening the next door. He was just doing enough to avoid hits from the big weapons so I had to send another arrow at him to finish him off.
The others have found a room with a double door that looks to be barred. Looking around we clearly have enough muscle to get into that door. I don’t see how to help in the combat so maybe if we get everyone together I will try casting “bless”.