First of all I'd like to welcome the new players. I hope you all feel comfortable in our group. I also hope that you had fun today. Maelstomage and Jabril, Welcome! You both role played your characters well and everyone seemed to enjoy interacting with you. Though we are welcoming two new players, we are also saying "good-bye" or at least "see you later" to Ridge who has been playing Zanna. I will speak to you this coming week Ridge to help you transition into the Wednesday group. At the beginning of today's session, a knight errant and a humble Monk came upon the campsite of our tired adventurers. As the Monk practiced Tai-chi, the charismatic knight hailed the party and was answered by an unusually hospitable Bryndon who invited them to share his fire and partake of the morning meal. The knight introduced himself as Sir Trenchton and his squire Phillip. After finishing his morning ritual the scaly monk introduced himself as Jabri, a Dragonborn Death Monk in the service of Kelemvor. He also graciously accepted the food and drink and soon found himself speaking with an alluring freckle faced 17 year old who's eyes were set very far apart and couldn't have weighed more than 100 pounds when wet. After speaking to her in Draconic, he felt like he might have a shot with her if he ever found himself in Phandalin. Looking for adventure themselves, the two guests soon decided to join the party. This was made easier when the holy Paladin heard that someone might be in danger in a cave near by. Urged on by Grunden Rockseeker, the party made their way to Wave Echo Cave. Never revealing his map, Grunden led the party through the rough country until they came to a box canyon. There at the end of the canyon was a cave entrance behind a pile of rubble from a rock slide. Here the party decided to send the sneaky Monk in to spy out the tunnel and see if Grunden's brothers were still waiting there. Jabri did just that and reported back that there were at least 12 creatures guarding the cavern beyond the tunnel. A decision was reached to send the mage in under the cover of invisibility to try a Tolkienesque trick of deception to get the opposing factions to fight among themselves. Having already been angered and suspicious of one another because of a dart that the Monk had thrown they attacked each other and killed many of their own numbers before the party joined the fray. The years of training and honing his reflexes paid off as Jabri was able to join the battle first. His great movement allowed him to close the distance and still deliver a crushing flurry of blows that nearly killed the Orc he attacked. He was followed by the rest of the party. The ancient Paladin came to offer aid and protection to his traveling companion. Jabri accepted buy warned the party not to steal his kills. He needed to appease his god with the sacrifices of these souls. As the tide turned in favor of our intrepid adventurers, the last of the Hobgoblins tried to escape, but was caught at the last moment before he could disappear into a tunnel and alert the rest of guards. Bryndon cast hold person and the Hobgoblin was paralyzed. Just to make sure he didn't escape, Zanna came up and grappled him. And oddly enough even after the battle was won, she continued to pound and pommel him long after he had died. (She is very dark and I think she scares Bryndon. At least she is not an elf or he would have been aroused, disgusted and afraid all at the same time.) This was the point when Jabri started searching the slain, looking for any clues or loot. Unfortunately for Grunden and Glanbir, this was also the moment that Grunden found Tharden's body. He sobbed, then cried out in anguish. Glanbir tried consoling him. The Monk had words of comfort as well as the Paladin. The Monk even gave him a pamphlet about what happens to the souls of the lost and where he can find answers at his local Harry Krishna temple. (Or Shrine to Kelemvor) Not knowing the cause of death Glanbir prepared the body and cast a spell to conserve it and hold at bay any undeath that might be present. Glanbir's fellow servant of Lathander helped undress the body and anoint it with oil. As he did he noticed the perfect condition of the boots worn by Tharden. After having removed them he handed them to Glanbir and offered his condolances for Glanbir and Grunden's loss. Glanbir, already emotional, was touched by this unexpected kindness and let slip a tear from his eye. He secretly said a prayer of thanks to the Morning lord for sending a holy warrior of the faith to aid him in his trials. After the body was anointed and wrapped for burial, the party took a short rest and spent hit dice. Jabril had to leave before this was accomplished, so he needs to roll hit dice for Jabri. Bryndon used his arcane recovery and recouped a spell slot. Trenchton regained hp and is only 4 hp from max. Zanna got her spell slots back and then walked off muttering to herself about "something important" that she had to do. (Bryndon was relieved when she left. I think she scares him.) This is where we decided to call the game. Maelstrom had to work as well as Ridge, with Jabril already missing this seemed like the best plan. I hope next weeks session will be smoother and perhaps last a little longer. We will have to see how everyones schedules work out. Now to the good stuff: XP: 300 xp - 3 Hobgoblins 600 xp - 3 Bugbears 500 xp - 5 Orcs 450 xp - 1 Ogre 150 xp - For successfully deceiving and pitting the two factions against each other. 2000 xp total divided by 6 = 333 xp each. Loot: Boots of Striding and Springing Food stuffs and provisions 3 Goblin make Longbows 3 Goblin make Longswords 3 Goblin make morningstars 5 Orc make Greataxes