In Character LMOP Mk2

[DavidBoren]

Hear 'em clambering around? Let's get in there, if nothing else to cut the bridges down, just to be bastards...

I laugh, heartily and genuinely, at the thought of dying just to inconvenience the Redbrands.

As I advance towards the cave, apparently not waiting for a swordsman to take point, I strain to project my thoughts...

MISTRESS! Lady of the cave, come back to my mind. I fear that this endeavor is folly without your blessing...

I start humming Springtime for Hitler.

[mtaylor]

You can all hear stirring and the rattling of steel as the one who got away warns his companions of the intruders.

[DavidBoren]

I do believe that on the other side of this cave is a guaranteed ambush, just as we were here waiting for them. However, our only alternative is straight up the road... neither is exactly advantageous for us, but time is short.

I make sure my scarf is pulled up over my mouth and nose, and my hood is up covering my head. A quick count of my arrows that looks like nothing more than me running my fingers through the fletchings sticking out of my quiver.

Into the belly of the beast, shall we?

I nod towards the cave, and pull my bow to full draw.

I'm strangely comfortable with the idea, but by all means, after you...

I raise my bow a bit, as if to emphasize why I don't volunteer for point.

[Nish]

Gudgeon looks to the cave, then tilts his head from one shoulder to the other the metal of his armor rubbing together.

"I understand the advantages that surprise gives in a fight. Quiet really is not one of my strong points. Let us get this over with and get Gundren out of there while he is still alive. Unless someone has a better idea..."

Gudgeon starts to walk towards the cave opening holding his shield up in front of him.

[Nish]

"If we are going in there" Gudgeon motions to the cave. "we need to hurry. to much wasted time and you will go from ambushing them to being ambushed. You lot are here by your own plan and know what you are up against better than I. The decision is yours to make. I am with you, and with me the blessings of the Soul Forger."

[DavidBoren]

Anyone need or want a little sword? I don't personally need four of them...

I look around to see if anyone wants one. I don't really care either way, they are light enough for me to carry without inconvenience.

Are we really just marching up the road to the ruins?

I pull my scarf down and spit in the dirt... a scowl clearly visible on my face.

I was thinking we might cut the bridges down in the cave, or even start a fire in there to block this way off. But I don't want to displease the abomination. Not that I fear her, but I respect that the cave is hers.

I look around, again, hoping that someone may have something to add...

[DavidBoren]

'tis back the way you just came... this aforementioned other entrance is straight up the hill, using the road by the stone wall of the Alderleaf farm.

I say this without attempting to hide my displeasure with the idea. And point with my bow hand behind Gudgeon, whilst simultaneously nodding in the same direction.

I wish to search these two culls for anything decent or useful before we go up the hill...

I pull out a short sword and search Redbrand #2...
Perception 1D20 + 5 = 16 + 5 = 21

If nobody else is or has searched Redbrand #1, I will search him as well...
Perception 1D20 + 5 = 11 + 5 = 16
Either way, I pull my arrow out of his throat and inspect it for reuse...

Tip's bent, probably from the spine, I might be able to repair it... but can't use it in this condition.

I pull the tip off the arrow, and put the rest of it upside down in my quiver. The arrowhead is put into whatever random pouch is on my belt near the quiver. I sheath my short sword and draw my bow. Nock an arrow, and nod.

[Nish]

"Gundren is my cousin. He sent word for me to meet him here..." Gudgeon stops for a moment seeming to weight if he should say more.
"Something about finding something important. If these boys are holding him... Where is that other entrance you were talking about?"
Gudgeon turns as if he is ready to go, just waiting for someone to lead the way.

[Rainmaker]

"Privyet, Gudgeon! You wouldn't happen to be relative of a Gundren Rockseeker, yes? We are some hired handsof his, or wereat least, until we dropped off a wagon of his at the general store in town. Seen him lately?"

[Rainmaker]

Aye, this might be a good time to go up the hill ro the main ruins. With their attention diverted here, we may catch them by surprise up top.

[DavidBoren]

What in the bloody abyss is he rambling about? Forging the town? Impurities...? What, these scoundrels?

I step on the neck of Redbrand #2 and rip my arrow out of his back... I raise my eyebrows, half expecting him to react, being not quite certain if he is dead or not. As I examine my arrow to make sure it is good for reuse, I address Gudgeon...

We were looking for a Rockseeker, something about him missing maybe? The reason escapes me, please forgive, as my mind is presently occupied with forging out impurities, or whatever the bloody abyss you were just going on about. Glad to have your company, I hope.

Now, how do we want to do this? I feel it may be unwise to follow back into the cave... they will be waiting for us on the other side, just as we were waiting for them here.

I point into the cave with the arrow in my hand, and then at our feet with the same arrow as I talk about following them into the cave and how we had been waiting for them here... then nock the arrow and give the bow a draw as if to test if the arrow is still fits. Of course it does, I am actually checking to make sure it is straight enough to aim down.

After I test the arrow, I hold it nocked (but not drawn) with the index finger of the same hand holding the bow (my left)... and use my right hand to raise my hood/pull my scarf back up over my mouth and nose.

[Nish]

Seeking me? Why I wonder....

Gudgeon frowns at the site before him. Such ugly business killing is.

"It is better to work out the impurities and make something beautiful and useful than to waste everything because of them. I know not why you would seek me unless you request Moradins favor."

Redbrand... Those are the ones the Alderleaf's were saying have been trouble. This meeting might just be more divine than chance.

"Lead the way and with Moradin's blessing we will work out these impurities so that this town may continue to be forged into something more pure."

[DavidBoren]

Hile, Sir Rockseeker, you are just the man we are, erm, seeking...? The statement turns to a question with an odd inflection at the end, and I kind of look around for confirmation from the rest of the group.

Or were seeking, rather... currently we're occupied with a few Redbrand scoundrels. Wanna help us kill some cloaks?

[Nish]

Gudgeon finally reaches the point that the trees thin just before the rocky bank just in time to see the red cloak disappear into the darkness of the cave. He looks around quickly,

2 dead, 2 armed, 1 fleeing into the cave, something running into the trees.

He stops and takes a deep breath, the red hair in his mustache lifting slightly with the exhale. He raises his shield and walks into the clearing. The sounds of the links in his chain mail armor rubbing together are faint but ring loud in his ears, He holds his warhammer at his side ready just in case this doesn't go well, his shield in front of him, the flaming anvil of his god proudly leading his way.

"I am Gudgeon Rockseeker Sonnlinor of Moradin! What is the meaning of this?"

[DavidBoren]

Hmm, hardy this one is... I think, as I nock another arrow.