The next morning, D’harum gathered her few belonging, and met with the other party members out front of the Inn and prepared to get underway on their current journey. 

The monk was dressed in her simple clothes, with a plain brown and worn cloak that covered most of her slim form.  When the party got underway, she simply walked along next to the cart that they had decided would be their ‘cover’ in their quest to draw out the bandits and get them to attack the party, much to the bandits trepidations. 

While she wasn’t sure this deception was going to work, D’harum went along with the groups plan.  She was a newcomer to this group, and while she got a good feeling about them, they had yet to show any true good intentions to her. She would hang around, and lend her support to them, until they proved unworthy of her assistance.

She walked along next to them, trialing slightly behind near the rear of the group so she could observe and place herself where she could lend assistance as needed.

The only ‘visible’ weapon, might be the short 5’ hardwood staff she carried in her left hand as a sort of walking staff.  While she seemed at ease, D’harum was on full alert as they moved down the road in search of the bandits they had mentioned were about.

(OOC: she will follow along with the group, on constant alert ready for any sort of attack or counter attack. Since she has'nt been completely filled in on the mission, she isn't sure what to expect so she is on constant alert. )

"Well, I am Sir Gerdar Cordorehk, third of my name", the dward nodded whilst once again stroking his beard, "Though just Gerdar's fine."

"What about you, silent one? Where would you be heading?"

D’harum smiled at the dwarf and inclined her head to him, “Well met, Sir Gerdar.”  

The monk’s forehead crinkled slightly at the dwarfs last question, she shrugged and said, “I have no plans for when I leave here.  I just go wherever fate takes me.”

She had been asked to go with this group and while she had listened to them discuss their plans, she heard them discuss going to deal with some bandits that had been reported in the area. 

“If you go to fight bandits,” she finally said, “I would accompany you to fight people who would prey upon innocent travelers.”

If their were no objections to her joining, she would shortly retire for the night with plans to meet the group in the morning to leave for their destination.  

'I am Thäoran,' he introduced himself quietly. 'I hail from the elven forest in the east. I am travelling with my companions to help them eradicate the evil that lurks in these lands.' He refrained from divulging anymore of his quest as of yet. After a pause, he added 'a pleasure,' and gave a curt nod reminiscent of a bird dipping its head.

The monk bowed her head in reply to Thäoran, “Greetings Noble Elf,” she said and bowed her head. 

D’harum listened as the group discussed future plans, she liked the general ideas they were throwing about, and she would consider throwing in her support, but she was waiting for someone in the group to ask her to join them; this had yet to actually happen. 

"Well personally I'm here to eradicate the evil that has fallen upon these lands. You see, my clan used to live nearby and my grandpa had to run when he was but a wee lad, and we would like to return so I came here to make that possible."

The dwarf stroke his gilded beard, then smirked as he continued: "Though right now I just tag along with these fine people and take a look at what's inside the numerous things that try to kill them - so far mostly goblins, a lot of them wee cowards."

The monk turned to look at the Dwarf, who seemed to have a more sunny disposition than most of his kin that she had met in the past.  She nodded to his words, acknowledging that slaying evil was a worthy cause indeed.

“Well spoken, Dwarf,” she replied.

“Hello my name is Fenris Kaine, happy to meet you” Standing he offers his hand and after a strong shake returned to his seat. With really, for the moment with nothing to say, he'd await the party's next destination.

D’Harum clasped the man’s hand, with a strong calloused hand that reveled the strength in small woman’s grasp.

“A pleasure to meet you, Fenris Kaine,” she responded.  She glanced at Uthal as she released the man hand, and then continued as she turned her gaze back to the rest of the group.  

“So Uthal says you might be upon a worthy and just quest,” she said with a faint smile, “one that I might join you and lend my assistance, if that is indeed true.  So, what is your quest?”

(OOC: assuming all present introduce themselves)

She inclined her head to each in turn and then spoke to the entire group.  “So does your group have a purpose?”, D’Harum asked, “Or maybe you are all on some journey towards a worthy goal?”  

This group seemed very diverse and she didn’t sense any evil among them, even if she didn’t feel any overall good either. But one didn’t need to be purely good to do good deeds.   She didn’t know what it was, but she felt something drawing her to this place, and perhaps it was to meet this group and join them, if their quest was worthy.  She would decide to join them or not, once she learned what they were intent on doing when they left here. 

(OOC: okay, giving an opening for someone to tell D’Harum what they wer going to do next, which will decide if she joins them.)

"Why?" he asked, confused. "C'mon then!" he offered as he stood at the table, the back of his calves pushing the chair back as he stood. He grabbed his things and gestured to D'harum to follow.

The Monk was taken aback by the suddenness of Uthal’s action, and hesitated for a moment before she sat down her mug, grabbed her cloth napkin and quickly dapped her mouth as she rose.  Tossing the cloth on the table she unconsciously straightened her tunic as she stepped over to where the rest of Uthal’s companions waited.

Utahl introduces the Monk to his friends. 

When she was introduced, she brought her hands together at her waist, and bowed to the group and gave her customary greeting upon meeting new people.

“My name is D'Harum,” she said, “I am a Monk of the Way of the Healing Fist order. It is a pleasure to meet you all.”

She straightened up and stood with her hands still clasped together as she waited for the names of all of the group present.

"I'm pleased my music can bring you memories, pleasant ones I hope." She said with a faint smile.

"My memories are like most, bitter and sweet, I suppose." he replied.

She turned to look about the room as she added, "I'm on a Kaihogyo .. I guess you would call it a pilgrimage. I've left my monastery a few months ago and I've been traveling, trying to learn about the world and it's people."

"No small task." he said, breaking a smile, "There is a lot to learn. Have you any insight?" he asked with genuine curiosity.

Her small smile slipped from her lips when Uthal mentioned his bitter and sweet memories; she didn’t know how to respond to that so she said nothing.

“Insight?” she said with a smirk, “if I had any then I would know what to expect, and therefore no need to leave the monastery.”

"Your travel companions, I take it." She said as a statement and not a question, "so what brings all of you to this place?"

"I've not known them long, but they seem like good people. The gods know we need more folk like that in the world." he shares about his adventuring friends. "We are looking for work!"

He looked across at the others and back to D'harum. "Would you like to meet them?"

Her eyes drifted back to Uthal’s companions as she considered his question, then she shrugged and replied, “Perhaps you should find out if they want to meet me?” 

D'harum smirked again and having finished her meal, she picked up her mug, drank as she watched him over the mug, and waited to see what he would do next.  She had no plans after having visited this town; she was a wanderer and often did not spend more than a night or two in any place.  She had mostly earned her food and lodging by playing her flute for the patrons.  A lot of tavern owners were reluctant at first, but when she would play them a little sample of her skill, they often agreed to at least a single meal and a simple bed in a back room or common room if available.  She never planned on where she was going, preferring to let fate guide her steps.  Maybe this group of Uthal’s might be the next step in her journey, but it was too early to tell at this moment.

Okay so looks like the party is leaving the town and headed off on their next quest.   Only Ulthal has made an attempt to converse with the Monk.  So unless she is asked to accompany the group, and given good reason I would think, you all will be leaving without even asking a Healer to go with the party.  It's up to you all of course, if the group doesnt want her along, that's okay for her.  

I think more of an effort by party members should be made to aquire more hands in the group.  I believe all of the party were in the Tavern, and see Ulthal talk to her, and only the elf has even responded to it.  Just my thoughts.  Not telling you all what to do, but if they want the healer along, they might want to put a little effort into it.  

"Thank you!" The big man said as he sat down slowly. 

"I am Uthal, of the Valagans." he introduced himself, pausing briefly before continuing, "Your songs remind me of the music of the Sage of my people. It has been many years since I have heard such a sound." He pauses some more before he asks, "D'Harum. A Monk, of the Way of the Healing Fist?" he repeats, interested, "What brings you to Ludensheim?"

D’harum observed the large giant-sized man as he moved and noticed his discomfort and wondered what was making him so.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Uthal of the Valagans,” she said softly and inclined her head in respect.

“I’m pleased my music can bring you memories, pleasant ones I hope.” She said with a faint smile.  While she would never be considered a beauty, with more of a plain, yet rugged face, her smile was usually warm.

“Well,” she starts, pauses, then shrugs before continues, “as to what brings me to this place, it’s just kind of fate I guess.”

She turned to look about the room as she added, “I’m on a Kaihogyo .. I guess you would call it a pilgrimage.   I’ve left my monastery a few months ago and I’ve been traveling, trying to learn about the world and it’s people.”

When she’s finished, she looks over at the rest of Uthal’s friends, then back to him and she inclines her head towards them.

“Your travel companions, I take it." She said as a statement and not a question, "so what brings all of you to this place?" 

She had sat down her utensils when he sat down, she now picked up her mug and took a hefty swig as she awaited his response.

"Such haunting tunes you play!, Do you mind if I sit at your table?"

She looked up from her meal which was almost finished and squinted up at the figure towering over her table. Taking in the visage of the giant figure of a man, she set her fork and knife down and inclined her head towards the empty chair across from her. As the figure took the seat she lifted her mug and took a deep drought as she studied the man.

She remembered seeing this hulking figure with the group that came in earlier; she had noticed them sitting at a large table with their heads together in deep conversation. She didn't know about what, and didn't much care as whatever it was it didn't involve her. As to the man before her, sitting at her table was now involving her. Whether it was something she wanted to be involved in would soon be seen. Lowering her mug to the table she dabbed her mouth with the worn cloth set for her as a napkin before she spoke.

“Haunting you say..” her voice was not the lilting voice of a singer or oracle, but just a normal voice with a husky, yet feminine, tone. “I guess that depends on one's definition of 'haunting'.”

Her thin lips curled up in a slight smirk before she continued.

“It is a tune of reflection, and enlightenment, but I guess that can be 'haunting' for some.” she said as she picked up her utensils once again to continue her meal.

“My name is D'Harum,” she said after having taken a small bite of cheese and swallowing it down, “I am a Monk of the Way of the Healing Fist order.” She bowed her head slightly as she announced her name and affiliation. She then continued to eat awaiting any reply the large man would make to her. As she did, her eyes could be seen to study the man, his clothes, his visible weapons and gear, as she tried to determine his intentions.

In short, I didn't have time to play at that moment so I asked Nomad to withdraw my halfling and she would find her way back home,but when I looked back just now to see how he did it, it doesn't seem to have been addressed.  I'm surprised no one asked where she went?   I guess she wasn't that memorable. 

I'm here and ready to play now.  

Pale Blue eyes lifted up towards the door as it opened and more people entered the common room of the Fainting Goat. This was no ordinary group though that entered, these looked like hardened travelers and were nothing like the common farmers and townsfolk that frequented this establishment. The figure that was watching the group, from a tall bar stool that had been moved next to the fireplace, would surely be seen by the group as they paused to scan the room as they decided where they would sit.

Sitting atop the stool, and playing a long (2') bamboo flute, was a human female that stood out among the farmers/townsfolk as much as the group did at present. It was hard to accurately gauge her height, as she was sitting, but she was tall, yet under 6'. She had straight shoulder length platinum blonde hair that ended just short of touching her shoulders. Her face had soft feminine features, but she was not outstanding in any way, plain might be the best way to describe it. Her eyes were watching the group, with a slightly narrowed gaze as if she were studying them as they were perhaps studying her.

Her clothes also made her stand out from the other patrons, not that they were opulent or extravagant, but rather because of their dull and shabby appearance. She wore loose fitting top and breeches, made of simple gray spun cloth, and they appeared two sizes too large for her thin, athletic frame. The top hung down past her mid waist, and was secured with a wide cloth belt of faded white fabric that wrapped about her waist several times. There were no shoes or boots upon her feet, which rested on one of the cross braces of the stool; instead strips of the faded white fabric were wrapped about her feet in some kind of improvised foot wraps, that completely covered her feet and even came up her ankles to the mid point of her shins and there encased the legs of her breeches, keeping them from slipping down towards the ground. Similar cloth strips were wrapped about her hands, which held the flute she was playing, but leaving her fingers exposed for ease of use, and the wraps also ran up her forearms to entrap the sleeves of her top. The whole outfit kept the hands and feet free for use, and gave the clothing a loose puffy appearance to the legs and arms of the clothing, allowing the limbs to move as freely as possible.

While the party may have been observing this flute player, which was in turn observing them, the flute never stopped playing out a light airy, almost ethereal, tune that filled the room and seemed to quite the clientele's usual loud banter often found in these types of taverns. It was almost as if people were listening intently to the melody, and were disinclined to speak and disrupt the soft revelry of the gentle music.

After a few more minutes, the music stopped and several people in tavern applauded and there were even a few people who rose up and offered a copper to the flute player, she rose from the stool and held out her hand in a gesture of refusal. One older woman was rather insistent and tried to put the coin in the musician's hand, but the younger lady only smiled and reached out and closed the old woman's hand around the coin.

“You need it more than I,” the flute player said in a soft and kind tone.

The old woman walked away, leaving the musician to turn and reach behind the stool. There she drew up a small leather pack/bag with a single long leather strap, and she placed the flute within. Slinging the bag across one shoulder she grabbed a short smooth staff from against the fireplace where it rested, and walked over to the a short woman, who looked like she ran the place. There she spoke with the woman for a minute, before the woman smiled at her and escorted her into a back room.

Within a few minutes, the flute player returned to the common room and sat at a empty table near the bar, closest to the fireplace near where she had been previously playing. She no longer had the pack/bag, or the short staff, but her drab clothing was now covered with an open faded brown hooded robe that stretched down past her knees, and had long voluminous sleeves. The hood of the robe was thrown back on her back, and she regarded the room for a minute, until one of the tavern's servers brought her a flagon and a plate of food along with some bread and cheese. The young woman bowed her head deeply in thanks, before she began to slowly eat her meal as she continued to observe the room.

I am withdrawing my character from the game at this time.  I just don't have time to post right now.  So while the party is clearing up the area, Lily will slip away and not be seen by anyone.  She is on a quest of her own to find her way back home. 

thank you for the fun times! Maybe later! 

"Everyone rally on me!  Let them run.  We will do a search of the area and then the cave."  Hornet yelled aloud and Lily looked towards him briefly and then she began to move back towards him and yet she remained in a defensive posture, her hoopak held before her just in case a wayward Goblin decided to try and run her down.

The kender cringed as she saw a few goblins felled by the others, and some of them looked like non-combatants.  She didn’t like to kill in any case, and only did so when necessary, and she always felt bad when she was forced to kill.  The Goblins, who appeared to be creatures of questionable morals, were intelligent beings and had families, including children, they deserved the same right to live as long as they didn’t try to kill her and her companions. 

Moving over to Hornet, she took up a defensive stance, prepared to defend them from fleeing goblins, but hoping the fighting was over with for now.

Lily had retreated from the outrushing of Goblins back to the bush from where she had attacked.  She saw that the goblins were not interested in attacking, but were fleeing.  She saw young and females among the Goblins, and realized there were noncombatants among flood.  She also realized that they were only interested in fleeing.  She would not attack the innocent, even if they were these creatures.

“LET THEM GO!”, Lily yelled in common, “THERE ARE FEMALES AND CHILDREN HERE!”

She would take a couple steps back from the exit while holding her hoopak defensively in front of her.  She would not attack unless she was being threatened.  But she would start yelling wildly to try and drive any Goblins away from her, either towards the river or better yet towards the far side away from the party.  

((OOC: She is strongly against killing noncombatants, so if she sees any party members striking at the ones fleeing, she will yell at them to stop.))

Lilly whooped at the effect her hoopak noice was having on the goblins; this was the effect she hoped to accomplished.   She let the two who ran by her go on toward the rest of the party, and she moved quickly forward towards the goblins; as she moved she stopped the twirling of her hoopak.  Though it’s was effective, it was difficult even for her to block out it’s effects so she only used it sparingly, especially around friendly companions.  

She hefted her hoopak and moved toward the goblins by the entrance though which they all seemed to be emerging from; her curiosity was up now and she wanted to see what had yet to come out.   

Lilly continued her whooping and yelling, trying to sound more fierce than she was in the hopes of continuing the confusion of the goblins.  She runs up to the nearest goblin to her by the entrance and, if she can reach it and attack it, she will strike at it with the sharp end of her Hoopak.  

(OOC: So she has stopped her noice attack, though yelling still in an attempt to continue the confusion.  If her actions will allow her time, she will strike at the Goblin closest to her and at the entrance.  If you need further clarification, let me know.)

Lily saw confusion in the goblin ranks as some of the others attacked the enemy.  She saw goblins around the prisoners pause and the ones behind crashed into them.  This was her chance.

She moved as silently as she could towards the goblins holding the prisoners and when she had covered half the distance to them, she raised her hoopak up high and began twirling it rapidly end over end as she continues to move slowly towards the guards.  The whirling stick was special in it’s construction, a secret known only to her race, and it contained tiny holes drilled into it’s length, which she sometimes used as a flute.  When whirling the hoopak like this, the holes give off an ear splitting sound that could be terrifying and painful to anyone close to it.  The combined pain and disorientation is enough to possibly make enemies flee from the sound.  

(OOC:  Okay, she isn't moving quickly at all, but moves silently, which I assume takes away some of her movement distance, so considering the distance and her action, I figure she wont be able to do anything to attack any goblins this round, or even reach them.  Her goal here is to disorient the guards and possibly drive some to flee thinking an overwhelming attack is in process. Note to the other players, this sound can affect anyone around, based on distance.  Only deaf creatures, and Kenders, as they had learned to block it out, are completely immune.  The DM is already aware of this so I'm not telling him anything he doesn't already know.   )

Okay, I have a family issue which is going to keep me away for some time, though I will try and get on to post here at least once a week.     I'll do my best to keep up. 

Lily was glad that they were getting underway again, she hated standing around doing nothing.  There hadn't been anything else of interest on the ledge and when the party had made up their plan, she tagged along; she didn't have anything else to do.

When they run into a bunch of what was called Goblins and some other larger creatures, not as large as the Bug things, but they seemed to be directing the goblins.  Seeing prisoners, she frowned and her eyebrows knitted together in frustration.  She hated slavers or anything of the like.  She decided right then to free these people if she possibly could.

<I>"We have to rescue the prisoners.  Solodad, Ayrn come with me and we will attack the front group to draw attention away from the prisoners and then the rest of you charge in and try to free them.  If you are sucessful, run one they are free.  Don't try to stand and fight, there are too many creatures."  Hornet took out his bow and quickly led his small band to a spot from which to ambush the goblins.  "Ok, time to start.  Target the second goblin from the front as soon as I release my arrow."</I>

Lily heard Hornet call out a plan, and it sounded not too bad, it wasn't as good as one of her plans, but no one ever really asked her what she thought they should do.  When the small group moved to attack the front of the enemy formation, she went into stealth mode and moved towards where the prisoners were, using the natural cover of the bushes, rocks, and her own small stature to keep her hidden and silent.

((OOC:  Whatever skills she has she will use to remain silent, even when the action kicks off, to wait till some of the guards around the prison see move to help the forward unit.  She will wait till she has a more clearer shot at getting to the prisoners.  She wont attack anyone unless she has to, such as seeing any of the guards attempt to execute their charges.))

Delayed.  Ok, I've had a family issue which is going to take most of my time for a while.  This game is on hold for now.  Still send me anything about your characters via PM, and I will look at them when I can.  Once things settle down here, I will let you know, but right now I dont have time to run a game.  

Thank you for your understanding!  

Ok, it's a mid level adventure, D&D equivalent of 8 lv.  

This is a free form adventure, but if you are comfortable making a D& D character, have at it.  I prefer you copy and paste the character into a PM to me.  

we are moving towards the game but probably won't get this started till the end of the month.  So no rush.  Pm me you characters, or ideas.

Well, we are down to just two characters submitted, the one thief submitted can play right now, and Tom hasn't responded about playing his thief.  

I've got 2 characters I'm working out any questions I have, but we will need a thief and a mage would be helpful.  

If anyone is interested, let me know here.  Thanks!

Well, since Lily is just doing the same thing she has been doing, I dont think I need to post again while the interrogation, etc. is going on.  Just assume she is observing, and studying the ledge upon which they all stand.  Keeping a watch, listening for any approaches, dangers, etc.  If something is found, or she see/hears anything, post it and then I will post to her response.  Sound good?

PMs sent out on the characters submitted to me.  Get back to me when you can.  I'll be putting up a Q&A thread soon for those in the game.