As I said a few days ago when joining this gig, I really won't have a lot of time to do anything until the first week of July - probably around the 7th or so.  I will try to look at things before then, but . . . .I am actually taking off on Thursday for a delayed honeymoon.  (I got married in December.)  Now, I know your thinking that every bride out there wants to spend their honeymoon looking at RPG stuff witht their groom, but I'm not sure this one would agree. Although she actually understands quite a bit and I even have hopes of getting her in here someday.  We are taking a train ride through the Rockies and back with some time in California so there will be some down time to work.  But, honestly, it will be a bit.  

Since I know just about nothing about this world I am more than willing to follow the rest of you in this.  Certainly in the choice of ship and whatnot.  

Having read the background stuff that was posted I do have a bit of an idea.  He is middle aged.  An academic raised and educated in the Alliance.  He spent a lot of time researching old philosophy and found himself getting interested in a lot of ideas that turned out to be a bit dangerous in the world of the Alliance.  Philosophically there are a lot of positives to what the Alliances offeres, but uncovering very old (Earth!) writings by people like Thomas Paine, John locke, Monesquieu and Voltaire have led to ideas and writing that are no longer popular in the big worlds.  People began to take notice.  And so he dropped off the grid. He went to the outer planets where he . . . . not sure exactly.  He is an academic.  But I could see him becoming a pilot as well to earn a living.  All while searching for old writings and leaving his own behind.  Traits such as:  Intellectual, academic, strong moral code, off the grid etc....

Name taken from a previous character on this site:  Alexander Castlebrandt.  But is that the name he gave up or the one he took on?  

Thoughts?

Loradove poked her head out from behind the hut and this timed lined up her shot on goblin #7. Unhurt and so due for some hurt. She pulled the string back and fired . . . a hit! Satisfaction welled in the halflings chest as blood welled from the goblin’s. It was hurt, but not dead.

Galydan took aim at goblin #6, hoping to take out one of the injured goblins. He went back to a cantrip this time firing a bolt of flame at the creature. He expressed a desire to capture one of the goblins but it seemed that the captive would not be this particular goblin who was consumed in flame and collapsed to the ground still smoking. (Warning: the Surgeon General has determined that smoking is dangerous to your health.)

The two goblins that began the fight furthest from the party had never been in the area of effect for the entangle spell, but both had suffered badly from the attacks of those in the hut. They continued to fire arrows at the hut, oblivious to the Tortle moving up on them from the rear. Their shots were closer this time, bouncing off the hut right next to where the mage and rogue had just been, but the cover the hut provided was enough to prevent any from finding their targets.

The three goblins entangled in the spell continued their struggle against the weeds holding them. They hadn’t suddenly gotten any stronger, but they did seem to have managed to work their way loose from a few of the vines. Two of them pulled free entirely of the spell's hold and grabbed their bows to attack next turn. The third entangled goblin seemed to just get further ensnared. (Two of the three made successful strength checks and are free to act next turn. One is still held.)

Ghiberti decided that it was time to do more than hold some goblins with his vines. Had he charged he could have reached the front two this turn, but instead he chose a more cautious approach and only moved up to within 20 feet. The two were focused on the hut they had been firing missiles at and did not seem aware of his presence. The two who had just freed themselves also seemed unaware of him.

8 goblins entered the fray – their current situation is as follows:
1- Dead
2 – Had been entangled, now free
3 – Had been entangled, now free
4 – entangled still.
5 - Dead
6 – Dead
7 - Had been at the front of the group and are the furthest away from the hut. Badly wounded.
8 – Had been at the front of the group and are the furthest away from the hut. Badly wounded.

welcome back!!

i’m in!  But .....

1.  I won’t be able to look at stuff much (I think) until around July 8.  But after that I should be good to go.

2.  I know nothing of Firefly.  Where can I get a basic rules summary or general universe description?   I can start reading.

Ok, so Fixer was going to be part of the 'in-crowd.'  There was a first for everything, right?  He grinned a bit behind his mask enjoying his own little inside joke.  Hey, it made him laugh, and not much seemed worth a laugh right now.  Especially that look in Casiino's eyes.  He thought he understood where it came from - he hoped he had a friend who would come after him like that some day.  But for now he had this crew, motley as it was.  

"Rya Mendez, here we come."  This time he spoke out loud. he wasn't sure why, just to express his willingness to move.  "Gholan, you might want to give us a few quick signals.  Something like, One:  Gang coming in front door.  Two:  Second team on site.  Three:  Run Like Hell.  Four:  Hurry, but still clear.  I don't know.  You decide.  Keep it simple since the airwaves aren't clean, but it doesn't do much good to have a scout who can't let us know what he has scouted."  He passed that topic off to the sniper and turned to the others heading into the building.  "Lead on.  A delux apartment in the sky awaits.  Or at least a dump on the 6th floor.  Lets hope we can close out this gig quickly. "

As they moved towards the door he did a quick mental rundown of all of his gear.  He did not want to get into a firefight, but also wanted to be ready in case he did.  He glanced at Casino as they headed in the door.  "Lets make this a quick one big guy."  

Good to see you back.

I had no idea it had been updated.  I will get on that.  

Loradove, irritated at the bad luck that had denied her a hit with her first arrow, lined up a shot on goblin #8, and fired from her place partially behind the hut.  This time her arrow flew true and struck the goblin in the chest.  The beast nearly dropped its bow and went down to one knee, clearly badly hurt, but not dead.

Galydan decided this time he would use magic missile and aimed his three at goblins 5 and 6, the two that were in the area of the entangle spell but not entangled.  The closer to him, the first to die, was the philosophy that guided his choice of targets.  Goblin #5 took two lowing darts and quickly collapsed to the ground.  Number 6 took only one missile and seemed wounded but not dead. 

This left three goblins that were not entangled and still alive and able to fight.  They showed no indication of knowing that the Tortle was anywhere near and all turned towards the hut to fire their arrows.  Unfortunately for the goblins, while they stood out in the open, their targets were partially hidden by the structure of the hut.  Two goblin arrows hit the hut not far from Galydan, but they bounced off into the rocks nearby.  The third arrow was fired in such a hurry that it landed somewhere on the path a full switchback above them.  None found a target. 

The three goblins held by the entangle spell fought against their constraints, (Strength check) but while goblins are known for their cruelty and cunning, they are really small creatures and their strength was not up to the task, although one seemed to come close.  All three remain held. 

Ghiberti held his position, unwilling to give up his location to the enemy.  He held his concentration on the entangle spell.

8 goblins entered the fray – their current situation is as follows:

1- Dead

2, 3 and 4 – entangled.

5  - Dead

6 – in difficult terrain, but not entangled.  Wounded.

7 -  Had been at the front of the group and are the furthest away from the hut.

8 – Had been at the front of the group and are the furthest away from the hut.   Badly wounded.

The goblins came around the distant corner and laughed and marched their way towards you kicking an object along as they came. As they reached the hut a pair of you were hiding behind, they headed down the path and towards the bridge not even glancing in your direction.

Loradove lined up a shot and fired when they were about 50’ down the path. It should have been easy with their back turned but just as her perfectly aimed shot was about to implant itself in the little creature it bent over to pick up something from the ground and her arrow flew straight over its head. The goblin looked up startled and started to turn, but before he could even begin to snarl he was struck between the eyes by a mote of flame hurled by Galydan. The whole creature seemed to burst into flame at once. Whatever luck it had possessed had been used up in evading the arrow as the burned husk that collapsed to the ground would have no need of luck in the future.

Seeing his companions attack the goblins Ghiberti cast entangle from his hiding spot. Quickly vegetation leaped up to entangle the back 6 goblins in the group. (5 actually, since this would include the burned corpse of one goblin.) 3 of those failed their saves and were held by the encircling vines. The remaining two were stuck in the middle of difficult terrain.

**********************************

*That is the end of round one. The goblins had no idea you were there so you go one round of free action. The goblins are on the road about 50’ down hill from the hut. They are also about 50’ from where Ghiberti is hiding. Originally there were 8 goblins:
1- Dead
2, 3 and 4 – entangled.
5 and 6 – in difficult terrain, but not entangled.
7 and 8 – Had been at the front of the group and are the furthest away from the hut.

5-8 appear to be grabbing arrows to put to their bows. Currently the hut you are hiding behind gives you full cover. However, if you poke your head out to do something (shoot, cast a spell) it will be partial cover. Clearly, they know where the arrow and firebolt came from, but it is unclear if they know Ghiberti’s location.

*I don’t specifically identify initiative order for this as you wouldn’t really know it anyway were you there. Just tell me what you want to do and I will take care of events as they happen. This can result in doubling up on actions. For example, had Loradove killed the goblin with her arrow, Galydan would have then fried a corpse.

That was weird.  Really weird.  

And yes, I did watch the show.  

Wondering the same.

First, bummer on losing Eol.  Real life is a bummer sometimes.

Second, the last was just a quick post by Dane to finish getting us out of the inn.  It really doesn't need response unless you want to - I might still add soemthing at the jailhouse where the real action will be.  

Dane was pleased to see the woodsman get tossed out on his loud butt, but then immediately annoyed that the innkeeper seemed to associate him with the loud idiot.  The association was an accident at best.  

But then the goodwife intervened.  

Hearing the innkeepers question Dane answered his querry about aid for the poor lady.  "yes, it is our intent to do our best for Mistress Villalin."  At this point he paused as the man made a generous offer of free room in the inn.  It seemed the wife really had turned him around.  But still, Dane did not want to promise something he could not deliver.  "Master Masteon, you have my word that we will do everything we can to prove young Millae innocent.  But you must know we cannot promise success.  I can't speak for the others, but I will happily take your generous offer should we succeed and expect nothing should we fail.  But success is something I cannot promise.  What I can promise is the greatest effort possible.  That is a thing I can do.  And then we see where things go."  Pausing just long enough to glance at the door, but not long enough to give the innkeeper a chance to respond, he added, "As for the obnoxiously loud and ill-mannered cretan you and your-man Boz just showed to the door, I assure you I only met him last night.  And I believe I can say the same for my companions as well.  He is not 'with us' in any way.  If he truly intends to aid us in helping Mistress Villalin, I suppose we must let him come with us to the jail, but I don't know that any of us have any more influence on him than anyone else here.  Please, do not hold us responsible for his actions.  Still, I will do my best to stear him clear of your establishment."  Glancing at the door he added, "Or maybe we will all get lucky and he will wander off and none of us will ever see him again."  

Giving the man a chance to respond Dane concluded with, "Thank you for your generosity.  I believe most of us would love something quick in our stomachs so that we can go and see what might be learned at the jail.  Speed, I suspect, shall be critical."  

Dane looked around at the others and hoped that they did not mind that he had spoken for them.  He generally preferred not to lead, but when he thought something needed saying he had a very hard time not saying it.  And thus he frequently ended up leading a discussion only because he could not keep his mouth shut when something came up.  It wasn't so much by preference as by habit.  Hopefully these good folks would not mind.  And these others did seem like much better folks than the woodsman.  

Fixer sat and waited as the homeless man exited the building.  It had been a long wait.  He had wondered as he sat there if there was a way to use the radios to get a fix on Vegas' position once this trip was done.  Whoever had the big guy had one of the walkies he had made.  Could he triangulate based off of that information later?  Maybe.  It would be worth checking if they ever reached that stage of this adventure.  In the mantime he waited for the Casino and Ghlan to get word from the stooge.  

The word, it seemed, was go.  The lady was there and the cult was not.  Time to move out.  It was like working a job.  Wait, wait, wait, wait and wait some more while the technicals were figured out and then run.  Go as quick as possible once the dye had been cast.  

"Ok, so we go in.  I'm guessing we still need someone to stay here and watch the door.  Maybe give a warning if someone comes.  We still have two of the walkies amongst us.  They can be overheard, but even just a single word might give warning of the need for a different exit.  So, whoever is planning this thing - who goes in and who watches?" 

Dane woke in the morning just as the first light was beginning to peak over the horizon.  The sun would follow eventually, but not yet.  He hated getting up early, but life had given him the habit.  He greatly enjoyed those days when he could sleep in and when he had first arrived in town last night this night had seemed to hold the promise of a lazy morning.  And then the streets had come alive with the sorrows of a woman and the anger of a guard.  And now he found himself having to rise as early as ever.  He sighed and got up to face the day.  Still, he greatly liked the idea that today he might do something that would be worth doing, something that might make a difference.   

     As he headed down the stairs before the sun had yet cracked the horizon he contemplated what it meant to do things worth doing.  He didn't need to be a hero.  He wanted his father to be proud of himm, but even more importantly he needed to be proud of who he was.  And today he would find out if this was, in truth, something that was worth doing.  Velalin seemed an honest woman but you couldn't tell much from what they knew so far.  He almost chuckled as he emerged in the common room.  He best not let the landlord know he still harbored doubts.  He took a seat near the fireplace and pulled out a well read copy of The Adventures of Jain Farstrider from his pocket and started to read.  He assumed one of the women in the inn would find him when breakfast was ready and the others in the ragtag group of would-be-heroes would arrive in the room eventually.  

    He was only a page into his reading when a racket began above his head.  The cretan of a woodsman was banging on doors above to wake the dead.  Dane grimaced, the man gave thsoe of the woods a bad name with his complete lack of manners.  Treating others with respect was neither a weakness nor a sin.  The man seemed to be completely self-centered, and yet it sounded like he intended to join the rest of them in searching for answers.  He was not at all sure if that was a good thing.  He did not want others to associate him with the beast.  Still, you never knew what gifts someone might bring to the party, so he'd take what he could get and wait to judge harshly until he had again caused more trouble than benefit.  His emergence into the common room and demands to the kitchen staff did nothing to allay Dane's concerns.  

    The others from last night all emerged gradually after the ruckus caused by the cretan.  It wasn't long before everyone was there and eating a quick meal.  Eventually they would head towards the jail to see what they could find.  As a group they headed out the door and through the early morning of Maeldon.  As they approached the jail Dane kept his eyes open.  He wanted to know if either of the guards from last night were around.  He glanced at the aes Seadai in the group.  The woman made him uneasy.  Such people seemed to make everyone uneasy.  Yet, he had always suspeted that they were not evil or anything else in particular.  If he guessed right they were just people - people with power, yes, but still people with the same types of differences, interests and habits as others.  Probably they were sort of like nobles - used to getting their way and with their noses in the air, yet for all of that, sometimes useful.  And occaisonally, very occaisonally, helpful.  Might this be one such time?

    As they approached the jail he voiiced a thought that had been in his mind the whole time.  "Za'ahrat, I was thinking that perhaps you might speak for us.  you might be able to get more information than the rest of us."  

I had Dane get us to the jail if people are ok with that, but nothing past that.  Also, do we know that one of the ladies is an aes Sedai?  I wrote as if it was known, but I have to admit that I did not go back and reread everything to be sure.  I can change it easily if needed.  Whoever wishes to be the spokespereson could easily take us up to the seargent or whoever mans the jailhouse and start asking questions.  

I don't think there is much point just writing about the night.  Since it seems everyone is on board with the idea of going to the jailhouse (except, of course, the charming woodsman.)  we might as well just do that and at least get to the jailhouse.  I doubt we can do much more than say we get there until we know who meet at the door, but lets at least get that far.

I'll get a post up for Dane tomorrow - Monday.  

In anticipation of their first encounter with the denizens of the Blacktooth Ridge the group quickly took up their positions.  Two hid behind the hut while the Tortle moved a bit off to the side of the road attempting to conceal himself while readying a spell.  

The group coming down the path made no attempt to be quiet and didn't seem to be afraid of attack.  Rather they marched and laughed amongst themselves. When they rounded the far corner they didn't even pause to look in the empty stone hut at that corner, a mirror to the one the group had just been resting in.  As expected, they were goblins.  Eight goblins.  You can see swords at their belts and bows in their hands.  They march down the path kicking something round ahead of them as they come and laughing.  As they head towards the hut the group was hidden behind they don't seem to have noticed anything out of the ordinary and continue to march along talking and laughing in their now clear goblin voices.  

(The goblins do not seem to have seen you.  They are 200' away when they round the far corner and are moving towards you at about 40' per round - fairly quickly, but not running.  If they don't notice you, you will have a chance to act before they can respond.  Ghiberti - I do need to know how far off the path you are.  My guess is you are about 50' off the path on the down slope side since that is where you would first find enough cover to have an improved chance to hide, but if you want to say closer and rely more on your Tortle hiding as you indicated let me know.  Down slope as it would be a lot harder to hide on the uphill slope because it rises fairly quickly to the next level of the path.) 

Looks good!  And way better than anything I can do!  

Fixer just nodded as the plan was developed.  Again, this wasn't his area.  How often had he said that today?  Plenty.  But it was true.  They each had their skill set.  Guarding Charlie wasn't his area either.  

So instead of participating in aything much at this time he just went wtih Echo to the car.  Everyone would be watching Charlie and his bodyguard closely.  Fixer made it his task to watch every other direction.  Someone had to.  He might not be skilled in the tasks of the moment, but he had eyes and he knew how to use them.  And so he watched and waited.  The waiting felt like it was going to kill him.  That mental clock in his head kept ticking.  Every minute that passed felt like sand slipping through the hourglass.  Did hourlgasses tick?  No.  He was mixing his time-related metaphors.  And getting nervous.  

How much time did Jace have?  For that matter, how much time did they have?  Or Vegas, if he was even savable.  Every task in front of them seemed to be funtioning on a fast moving clock.  And here they were sitting in a car and staring at Charlie chatting with a homeless guy.  Every nerve in Fixer urged him to jump up and run.  Do somethng and do it quickly.  Rush the building.  Something.  But the techie had been in many spots before where patience was critical.  When you are messing with alarms and other systems speed could kill.  Patience.  Patience in the face of adrenaline.  Many a life had been saved or lost based on the success or failure of patience.  

So the Fixer took a calming breath, kept his weapon easily at hand, and watched the streets.  

Chessicfayth?

I don't think I trust Chessicfayth. 

Sounds like a communist name to me.

Dane wanted to shake his head in irritation with Master Masteon.  Pestering the poor woman?  He knew he had asked a fair number of questions, but they hadn't been blasted at her.  He had tried his best to be calm and courteous.  She'd gone through a lot.  But she'd go through an awful lot more if Millae was executed.  The innkeeper should take some lessons from Villalin.  She'd been willing to buck up under the pressure - if anythng was going to be done it would need to be done soon.  Waiting around for her to cry her eyes out or for the tavern keeper to wring his hands wouldn't solve a damn thing.  The man was a fool.  

But as Dane watched the man move to the other end of the bar he had to admit that at least he was a kind hearted fool.  He wanted to help and had even answered Dane's questions when he clearly would rather have not done so.  Maybe he was ok.  Dane quickly paid his 5 silver to Teni and moved back to the others. 

Approaching the table he ignored the obnoxious woodsman.  "Master Masteon didn't have much to say beyond the usual 'Millae wouldn't hurt a flea' stuff.  That and 'go to the jailhouse' for information.  Which, since I don't think any of us are complete idiots, we were already planning to do."  It took all of his effort not to stare at the dumb woodsman as he made that comment.  At this point he actually did think one of them was an idiot.  Or at least a massive jerk.  "I'd suggest in the morning, but am willing to go with others if they insist on doing it tonight."  He raised his hands a bit in a questioning gesture and asked, "suggestions?"

Blowz was happy when they finally got the equipement and could continue with the mission.  He was glad when they headed off towards RND.  He was even happier when they actually arrived at RND in one piece.  There seemed to be nothing standard about surviving a steam-power friendlyness bot.  But somehow this was accomplished.  It seems the old-clone could learn some new tricks.  

All of that just brought them to a series of halls in which the lights suddenly changed color.  Blowz first instinct was to panic when they changed color and alarms seemed to go off.  Many years in firend-computer's world had taught him that alarms and people running usually meant dead clones.  Actually, no alarms and people not running usually did also.  In fact, almost every circumstance immaginable usually lead do clones needing to be refreshed.  Friend computer certainly ran a consistent world.  And what Blowz had learned from this world was that it was rarely worth ducking when an alarm sounded.  If it was a problem for you they would already be ordering the replacement close by the time you heard the alarm.  So he watched the others run and the hallways empty out with a vague sense of amusement and just kept on.  They had a mission to do!

When they reached RND there was, of course, a friendly clone and his assistant waiting to help them out.  And who demanded a mission #.  He looked at the jackobot.  Would it come up with the number on its own as befit a wise bot sent by the great computer?  Or would they again have to prod it to remind it to do its job?  Maybe friend computer was just trying to keep them on their toes?  

(If the jackobot doesn't give the mission # quickly.)

Blowz rose a bit onto his tip toes just to prove to himself that he could, in fact, stay on his toes.  He looked at the jackobot and said, "Come on.  You know the number.  Please share it with these good clones so that we can continue to serve friend computer."  

Dane listened as Vilalin answered his questions.   He tried to be patient.  The woman had gone through a lot.  But they also needed information.  And so the questions continued.  Not hurried and he hoped not harsh, but persistent.  The answers were somewhat useful.  He didn't understand the whitecloak.  But then he didn't like whitecloaks and wanted to stay as far from them as possible.  In his experience any one as self-righteous as a whitecloak would do just about anything in the name of their cause.  The light supposedly, but rarely had he found their causes to be enlightened.  Only arrogant.  

But he didn't need to worry about that issue immediately unless it bore on this case.  He looked to see if the others were following the discussion and most were.   Even it seems the obnoxious woodsman who broke into the discussion with an outburst on what he believed must have happened and setting off Mistress Vilalin who stormed off into the night.  He looked at the man and shook his head.  Idiot.  Cruel, self-righteous as a whitecloak and an idiot.  And now the tavern keeper didn't like them either.  

At that point the woman, Cho'Ra spoke up.  Something about her made him a bit nervous, although he wasn't sure what.  She wanted to head to the jail right away.  "Do you think that wise?  It is late already and at least one of the guardsmen who dragged that poor young woman away seems to have taken quite a dislike to us.  He will likely still be on duty.  Based on what the others have said it seems likely we can wait until morning.  Perhaps we can talk to others and learn something," and here he nodded his head towards the obnoxious woodsman, "unless the cretan over here has turned the entire tavern against us.  It might be more valuable than charging into a jailhouse that is likely to just say "go away" unless we arrive with something useful."  He shrugged.  "I've had a long day and could use some rest.  Plus, I want to talk to the tavern keeper if he can be persuaded that we are not all problems.  He seemed to know the lady well."

He'd go to the jail with the others if they really wanted to go, but he really was set on talking to the innkeeper.  When the opportunity arose he would approach him.

(Assuming a chance arrives . . .)

Dane approached the innkeeper with a smile and what he hoped was an apologetic look on his face.  "My apologies for the disruption caused earlier.  Truly, we were just attemtping to the help Mistress Vilalin."  He glanced back at the woodsman.  "Well, most of us anyway, I'm not so sure about grumpy."  He smiled again.  "But I did not intend to upset her at all - or the rest of your patrons either.  The good mistress really does seem broken-hearted, even an idiot can see that.  I'd love to help and I think you would as well."

Dane hoped the man cared as much for the woman is it had appeared.  "If you want I'll just take a room and get out of your common room for the night.  No disruptions and there is nothing you need do.  But if there is any chance that young woman can be saved I'd like to ask yu a dew questions.  I'm new here and trying to help someone you don't know in a town you don't deal with circumstances you don't know - well, that is a lot of not-knowin'. May I ask a coupel of questions?
 

(The types of questions he would ask are as follows.  He wants to be sure he does not upset the innkeeper any further.  But will ask what he can.)

*How long have you known Mistress Vilalin and Millae? I'd love to help out, but I don't know the people in this town. I'm new here. You seem sure about this young woman. If the authorities are so sure, what makes you so sure they are wrong? Are they often wrong?"
*"What's up with the whitecloaks? What brings them here? Are they here frequently? How'd Millae meet one, they aren't usually real frienldy."
"Any idea who we would need to talk to about Millae's case? Mistress Vilalin has been impressive - staying strong and telling what she can. But we need to know why the guard thinks the girl was involved. Do you know who we would talk to about such things?

A post will get up this weekend.

It's alive?  really?

Are you sure?  I mean people say that sort of thing sometimes, but can you really trust them?

Surely the computer wouldn't lie about such a thing.

Would it?

But it can't be true. 

But it says so right above.

Can I trust words in print?  They might have been put there by an enemy of the computer!

I can't believe this!  

It might be!  It is!  I believe!!!!!!