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The Frontier #18


Author Message
GM Mad
Game Master

Joined: 01 Jan 1989
Posts: 55
Location: Erie, PA

Posted: December 10, 1989      Post subject: The Frontier #18

The Frontier #18

Upon learning of Wendy's mysterious flight, the group decides to track after the goblins that took Ti-Cat. As you prepare to move out, several strangers approach you. They came from the same direction that you took to arrive at Whispering Hollow.

They introduce themselves as adventurers. They had thought that they were following the trail of their own company, but now realize that they were in error. They explain that the group they were traveling with was attacked by goblins and a mage. The mage cast a foul spell that caused the men to flee in terror. They got lost in the forest, but managed to come across the Seekers' trail. If no one minds, they'd like to hook up with your group.

Arafel leads the way following the goblins trail. It leads straight into Whispering Hollow. As the band rides in, the townfolk seem to avoid you. Doors slam shut and shades are drawn.

You follow the trail towards the far side of Whispering Hollow. As some of you might expect, the trail leads directly to the menacing Temple of Hextor.


At the farmhouse, Araduin questions one of the goblins.

"Filthy Elf!" the goblin hisses. You manage to piece together from the goblins speech, that the goblins work for the Priests of Hextor. They are ordered to capture all adventurers that come to Whispering Hollow.

Nothing any real value is found among the goblins. Although Araduin notices that one of the goblins is wearing the boots that belonged to one in his missing party.

With nothing else to learn here, the group returns to Whispering Hollow. En route they meet the rest of the group. Now reunited, the entire group goes to the Inn of the Whispering Elm to compare notes.


GM Mad
Game Master

Joined: 01 Jan 1989
Posts: 56
Location: Erie, PA

Posted: December 10, 1989      Post subject: GM Notes
GM Notes:

Everyone is now back together at the Inn. Seems like a sacking of the Temple is order!

Several new PCs will be appearing this week. These new people were all from Araduin's missing group.

For those who missed it, the following characters are now NPCs.

Arafel
Dar Thaltus
Dwaladin
Flint

I've heard from Arafel's player and she hopes to return the first of the year.

Now what?


Stephanie
Swordswoman

Joined: 21 Aug 1989
Posts: 20
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 11, 1989      Post subject: Stephanie
Stephanie

While pleased at the reunion of the company, Steph doesn't linger long at the battle meeting. She orders up some ale and takes a seat near the fireplace and stares into the embers. She will greet the newcomers when appropriate. Once a plan of attack is formed, I'll return to the meeting table and pay attention as best I can.


Arathron
Ranger

Joined: 11 Dec 1989
Posts: 1
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 11, 1989      Post subject: Arathron
Arathron

Greetings! I am Arathron, an Elven Ranger. I would like to help the Company as best I can and in most any ways I can.


GM Mad
Game Master

Joined: 01 Jan 1989
Posts: 73
Location: Erie, PA

Present Day Comments:

One of the aforementioned new players.


Dantar
Rogue

Joined: 12 Dec 1989
Posts: 1
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 12, 1989      Post subject: Dantar
Dantar

Well met to all. I'm a human thief. If you have any questions please ask me. I will do all I can to help your party.


GM Mad
Game Master

Joined: 01 Jan 1989
Posts: 74
Location: Erie, PA

Present Day Comments:

And another.


Araduin
Elfin Mage

Joined: 26 Oct 1989
Posts: 10
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 12, 1989      Post subject: Araduin
Araduin

"Greetings, friends! It's good to see that I'm not the only survivor of the ambush. Perhaps we will fair better in this new group."

I'll convey what little info I obtained from the goblin to the others, and learn of what happened to the others.

"It seems our immediate concern is with the temple. Ti-Cat may well be there, as well as members of my former group. Still, fighting and siege-craft are not my forte, mayhaps the warriors have an idea how we might accomplish this deed?"


Cereld
Priest of Heironeous

Joined: 21 Aug 1989
Posts: 28
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 17, 1989      Post subject: Cereld
Cereld

"Greetings and well met to all you new comers. My name is Cereld, leader of the Seekers. If you are as brave and well skilled as you comrade Araduin, you all are welcome members to this group. Now as to our present plans, I think it is time that we see what this temple is made of, especially now that we are all together again. We must find our friend Ti-Cat and rescue him if he is still alive. Also, Wendy, a girl we are guarding, went off to the west, on her own it appears. These woods seem loaded with goblins, so the chances of her being inside there also are great.

Ok here is my plan. Please everyone feel free to comment on it, as it is very rough and could use much polishing. We will split back into two groups for the moment, the original Seekers in one group, and Araduin and his friends in the other. We will each approach the temple from opposite sides. The thieves in either group will climb the walls, being wary of guards of course, and if it is safe, or they have taken care of any MINOR problems, we scale the walls and enter the compound. There we will circle around to the front of the temple and regroup to enter together. That's it so far. I think we should split into groups at first so that if either group gets into trouble, the others can come in from behind their adversaries. Any suggestions?"

Cereld will specifically look at Validar when he asks this last question.


GM Mad
Game Master

Joined: 01 Jan 1989
Posts: 75
Location: Erie, PA

Present Day Comments:

For the first time in the game, the Seekers actually have the chance to sit down and discuss battle strategy before actually being involved in a conflict. It does make a difference!


Validar
Noble Warrior

Joined: 23 Aug 1989
Posts: 24
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 17, 1989      Post subject: Validar
Validar

"Wendy is gone? This seems to fuel some suspicions that I have had of late. I have no problem with attacking the Hextorites where they sleep. However, I fear we shall not find Wendelaine there. I hope that I am wrong." Validar was fairly certain that they had been tricked. Wendy wanted something and used them to get her here, most likely. It was possible they would meet up again and Validar was not sure they wouldn't be enemies.

"What Stephanie, Araduin, and myself learned seems to suggest that she is looking for an infamous wizard. I have a feeling that there may be more to this 'girl' than meets the eye. It is my thought that she may be an enchantress herself, gone on to reclaim the tower of the Akbar. We may have some problems on our hands. I feel that whatever is plaguing this valley (besides the Hextorites) is from that tower. I feel we should not waste much time between this attack and a similar one on this wizard's hearth."

"Now, as far as my thoughts on the immediate problem: I think that it is wise to make a two-pronged attack on the embattlement. Once we penetrate the outer walls, I feel that remaining in multiple groups are still to our advantage." Validar had significant tactical training, both in theory and in practice. Most defenders were unable to deal with attacks from multiple locations, unless very well-trained.

"We must assume that the alarm will be raised somewhere between the initial assault on the walls and our penetration to the inner compound. If not, so much the better, but we must be prepared." Contingencies were an important part of planning. They could not assume everything would got their way.

"I suggest that we have a group of our better fighters who engage the main body of defenders, who no doubt will be there. This group should seek to draw as much attention to itself as possible with burning and destruction at a premium. The rest of the group, with a fighter or two and the rest should wait until the first group has started their rampage and then should be able to penetrate deeper into the complex without as much resistance. This would help facilitate any rescue we need." In this way, they were using one group as an assault force, but ultimately as a diversion. The other group then could effect their true mission, which was penetrating the temple.

"I understand that it is dangerous to split our forces, but in one group we could run into something unexpected and be defeated all at once. I would not suggest splitting to more than 3 groups, as that would leave each one too weak to be effective." The plan was one that Validar would confidently enact were he party leader.

"That is my suggestion. What do you think?"


Stephanie
Swordswoman

Joined: 21 Aug 1989
Posts: 21
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 18, 1989      Post subject: Stephanie
Stephanie

"My only concern for the plan is the strength of the second group in the split. With all do respect, good sirs, we do not know the how strong that group is. I feel that we should divide into groups of equal strength. Based on my tracking, there would be 12 in one group and 3 in the other."

"If Validar's suggestion of a main attack force is followed, I would like to be in that group. The good citizens of this town have suffered too long at the hands of these foul priests! Lightning is ready to end their foul existence!'

Steph pulls out Lightning, her magic sword, and waves it about to make her point.

"If your suspicions about Wendy are true, Val, then the wench played us for fools! She used us to get her here! But to what end? What can she hope to accomplish? Regardless of that, let us be off to the temple!'


Validar
Noble Warrior

Joined: 23 Aug 1989
Posts: 25
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 06, 1989      Post subject: Oops!!
Validar

Let's make than 10 to 3 in the first proposed split. Guess Steph can't count! ;)


GM Mad
Game Master

Joined: 01 Jan 1989
Posts: 76
Location: Erie, PA

Present Day Comments:

Sure, pick on the simple farm girl! In all likelihood, Steph's counting included new players that hadn't posted yet.


Arathron
Ranger

Joined: 11 Dec 1989
Posts: 2
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 18, 1989      Post subject: Arathron
Arathron

"I think that this plan is a great one. I also think that Stephanie was right when she said to split the groups evenly. If the weaker one gets caught they might be wiped out before the other could help."

Arathron will help carry out the plan the best way he can.


Dantar
Rogue

Joined: 12 Dec 1989
Posts: 2
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 20, 1989      Post subject: Dantar
Dantar

I agree with splitting up the groups, but we must certainly attack at night. The element of surprise you know!


Araduin
Elfin Mage

Joined: 26 Oct 1989
Posts: 11
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 20, 1989      Post subject: Araduin
Araduin

"Yes, the attack should definitely come at night. We need time to prepare, and I need time to memorize a new spell. Also, I have a certain familiarity with ropes and knot work. If one of the thieves can scale the wall, then the others should be able to climb over using prepared ropes."


Finrod Fasthand
Servant of Steel

Joined: 21 Aug 1989
Posts: 37
Location: By Stephanie's Side

Posted: December 21, 1989      Post subject: The Plan
Finrod

Splitting into two groups, as Validar and Cereld suggest, indeed has merit. But I disagree somewhat on their composition and use... the first team should consist of all the Theify types, the second of those more inclined to the straightforward approach... the lead group could then sneak along, eliminating such little things as guards, traps, etc., while the others following some distance behind are available to come a-running if they hear the sounds of pitched battle ahead of them. We Thieves have enough fighter and mage ability among us to have the staying power to last until the reinforcing group arrived.

We could mark our route for the second group to follow with unobtrusive chalk marks on the floors or walls... since the following group would be looking for them, they need not be obvious enough to be noticed by just any observer.

In this way, we can maximize our initial penetration before being decisively engaged. The lead group can wait for the trail group for updates at certain places along the way:

Once a secure wall crossing has been established.

Once a *back* door has been located and secured.

Once the whereabouts of the Mage and Head Priest have been established...

etc.

Well? What do you think?


Cereld
Priest of Heironeous

Joined: 21 Aug 1989
Posts: 29
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 23, 1989      Post subject: Cereld
Cereld

Mail From Cereld

Mad I forgot to give you Cereld's spell list. He will memorize: Bless, CLWx2, Magical Stone, Protection From Evil, Silence 15' Radius, Chant and Strength.

The last he will cast Strength on Finrod before they climb the wall. If we get inside and either there is plenty of guards around, or the other group is being attacked, I will cast Silence on the group before we sneak up. I will cast it on a coin I will carry and be able to dispose of very easily when I wish to cast spells.


Finius Sly
Finder

Joined: 23 Dec 1989
Posts: 1
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 23, 1989      Post subject: Finius Sly
Finius Sly

Sorry I could not help but overhear your conversation. Besides, its part of my trade. Let me introduce myself, I am Finius Sly........I am also a thief. I have a vengeance for those damn goblins. You see, they were responsible for the death of my wife and only son. The crumbs set my house on fire and left me with nothing but a scar on my back where a goblin blade severed my skin. Luckily for me they thought me dead. If you will allow, Cereld......I will help out the best hahahah I can..........and for my fair share of the wealth. Don't worry I will stay out of everybody's way.

THE LIITLE HALFLING GRINS

"Agreed................?"


GM Mad
Game Master

Joined: 01 Jan 1989
Posts: 77
Location: Erie, PA

Present Day Comments:

Another new player. Can't be sure its just a coincidence that so many new faces showed up at the same time or if I had placed an ad for new players.


Cereld
Priest of Heironeous

Joined: 21 Aug 1989
Posts: 30
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 23, 1989      Post subject: Cereld
Cereld

"Well Finius, you are more than welcome to join us. In fact, your addition makes the dividing up even easier. Finrod, I can see what you are saying in your plan, but I think yours would be better if we were declaring war on the temple and out to destroy it and nothing else. Although it is my wish that we destroy that foul place, this cannot be our first responsibility. We are going in there first and foremost to try and find our friend Ti-Cat and possibly Wendy; although as far as Wendy is concerned I tend to agree with Validar in the fact that I doubt she is in there either. In this manner I still think that the two-fold plan will be our best method of accomplishing our goals. Ok now here is the way we should split. Group 1 will consist of Myself, Dar, Arafel, Dal, Flint, Finrod and Finius. Group 2 will be Validar, Steph, Dwaladin, Raeden, Araduin, Dantar and Arathron. We will start out one hour after sunset. At this time it will be getting dark, but there should still be enough light not to give the goblins with their infravision any real advantage over the humans in the groups. As for what to do now, let us prepare all that we must and rest for the battle to come. May Heironeous watch over us tonight as we crush his enemies and stop their oppression on this town."

Cereld will spend the rest of the day (after any questions or problems are brought to his attention) resting and praying for the spells he will need for tonight.


Validar
Noble Warrior

Joined: 23 Aug 1989
Posts: 26
Location: Frontier Lands

Posted: December 23, 1989      Post subject: Validar
Validar

"Very well, it sounds as though we are decided. All that remains are the preparations and these foul denizens who seek to hold the inhabitants of this region in utter captivity shall truly meet the soulless slug they worship. I shall take great delight in removing their vile and putrid existences from this land." Validar was pleased that Cereld effectively went with his plan. Finrod's was also viable, but didn't fit his own personality. This plan would be effective and Validar looked forward to leading his group. They were a formidable bunch.

Validar seems to be working himself up for the battle to come. He will spend great care in sharpening and polishing his blade. He will go over his armor and other weapons making sure that all is perfect before the awaited coming battle. Validar will then don his armor well in advance to be more than ready to lead his team on the assault on the Hextorite cesspool.

Validar will take a few moments well in advance of the attack to speak a few words of encouragement to each of the members of his team and help prepare them for the battle about to come.


GM Mad
Game Master

Joined: 01 Jan 1989
Posts: 78
Location: Erie, PA

Present Day Comments:

It's been a while since Val has spouted the "Soulless Slug" line.


GM Mad
Game Master

Joined: 01 Jan 1989
Posts: 57
Location: Erie, PA

Posted: December 24, 1989      Post subject:
Post Closed