The battle continues as the Adventurers attempt to finally defeat the remaining Goblins. The combat for this episode began with Jett, who used his hiding skill to sneak up on the Goblin Sorcerer for an attack. His well-trained skill showed its prowess as Jett struck out with precision (rolling a Crit20!) taking a good chunk of flesh off the Goblin. Leonithas, Naivara and Bardryn all took their turns with Bardryn also making very successful strikes against the Sorcerer. However, it was then the Sorcerer's turn who retaliated, felling Bardryn with a powerful strike of his Javelin of Lightning. While this occurred, the Goblin Imp that was still stuck in the burning tree managed to finally jump down and make his escape. Leonithas and Jett quickly ran to surround the Sorcerer, making further successful attacks, yet the Sorcerer used the last amount of his magic spells to Misty Step out of reach. Naivara in the meantime, took her longsword to the Goblin Imp who had previously been hiding in the bushes and who had rushed out to unsuccessfully attack her. Unfortunately, not being used to the sword her swing went wide but thankfully Larg lumbered up to aid her, crushing the Imp's head with his mighty battleaxe. All eyes then turned to the remaining Goblin Sorcerer, and with successful attacks from Jett and Leonithas, the Sorcerer went down with a caven skull from Leonithas' holy flail. Having ended the battle and looted the fallen, the Adventurers realised that their employer had fled the area leaving them behind. Angered and frustrated, especially Larg who became sulky and sour at this news, the party continued their way north toward the Gogalla Empire and the town of Ealinor. As they reached the Border Gate on the Dynasty side of the Bording River, they neared the guards who were on each side of the road noting down numbers of people leaving and entering the Dynasty. As the party reached the guards, they spied the merchant's caravan near the head of the line. Asking Jett to use his skills they sent him ahead to try and get the Merchant to pay what was due them. Jett had his own cunning and crafty plans, though. Using his skills of illusion he created a large spider within the caravan, lowering itself from the roof. This brought an immediate reaction from three of the nobles within the caravan who jumped out into the mud and rain to escape the spider. The Merchant, however, saw the illusion for what it was (passing the DC check) and hung out from the caravan yelling at his fellows to get back in. Jett saw his opportunity and successfully pick-pocketed the Merchant, taking 70gp from him in one stealthy move (rolling a non-crit 25!). The party continued forward where they were stopped by one of the guards who did not recognise their faces as frequent travellers. A discourse occurred where the guard asked the party who they were and for their reason to enter the Gogalla Empire, wanting to ensure that the Adventurers were not going to ruin the two centuries of peace between the realms. A very forward-spoken Dwarf tartly replied raising the ire of the guard; however, the others quickly quietened her and the new-comer, Jett was able to safely acquire passage past the border (and managing to do so without giving his name away to the guard!). As the party crossed over the large bridge, it finally dawned on them that this new-comer was actually still with them and had somehow assimilated himself into their group. This suddenly brought questions from the original members, who had also realised they had not even asked this Elf his name, despite travelling with him for over half an hour! (Guess that happens when you play with RL friends and just accept them into the game lol!) Jett informed the group he had been following Naivara since her arrival in the Dynasty city many days before her arrival to Ravensholme. He told them that he had been following them ever since, watching them and what they did, learning of their movements and who they were before he announced himself. This, of course brought a very unhappy bemusement from Naivara who immediately distrusted the Elf rouge. However, the party continued onto the Gogalla Empire and finally entered Ealinor where they made their way to the Voyager Inn for the night. Larg sulkily left the others to their eating and drinking their past few hours away - Leonithas becoming VERY intoxicated on Vodka shots! - choosing to go to bed and sleep the anger off. The party used the evening to try and gain some further information about what was happening in the world and, especially in the Empire. Jett managed to convince a female lyre player to tell him some information but she could only inform him of what rumours she had heard during her times playing at the three Inns of the town; There were said to be brigands and monsters on the roads of late, harrassing travellers. There was said to be seen on the roads the magicians and sorcerers of the Amber Tower which was unheard of as they generally remained in the Tower. The Empire had increased its military force to combat the escalating numbers of brigands and monsters. Jett relayed this to the group who got him up to date with what they knew of the tower, Heart Sphere and Gareth Windstorm. As they continued to enjoy their evening - Leonithas drunkenly dancing and then teaching Jett his dance! - Leonithas saw a nobleman enter the Inn and go to sit at a table by himself. He did not know why, but for some reason this man stood out to Leonithas and he drunkenly walked up and sat with him at the table. Leonithas' drunken small talk accidentally turned to the quest to return the Heart Sphere which immediately brought Bardryn and Naivara to the table to quieten him and try laugh the information off with the stranger. Leonithas, recognising his error, successfully attempted to dissuade the nobleman (rolling a Crit20 on his deception roll!) saying he was speaking foolishess as he was drunk. The nobleman warned Bardryn and Naivara that if there was any truth to Leonithas' claims then he should remain quiet about it, before he left the Inn into the night. After this the Adventurers ended the night, retiring to their beds for some well deserved sleep.