Quest-Monastery-in-the-Mountains II - Blaze of Glory-Thursday-4-february-5am-est-10am-gmt-2pm-georgia-9pm-aedst (FULL)

Vincent needs help as we continue our trek into the mountains and toward the Monastery- Will Rachel reach him in time? (For narrative reasons will prioritize previous party, if that's okay @Chris/Multiple Nerdgasms?) Player Character Race/Class Miles Blaze Level 2 Fire Genasi Wildfire Druid Forrest ALEC Level 1 Warforged Druid Henry Vincent Level 3 Way of Shadows Monk Guide of Life Bronson Rao Level 2 Human Monk Ayla Gigi Level 3 Tiefling College of Lore Bard Chris Drago Level 4 Human Battlemaster Fighter Draggo Tannin Gnarlbite Level 1 Goblin Monk

Hey Guys sorry to disappoint but Chris and I will be unavailable that Friday. We are still keen on the mission but RL stuff is getting in the way. Drago and Gigi will be there in spirit. 

I'll sign up. Tannin Gnarlbite, Level 1 Goblin Monk

Is there any chance of moving this to Feb 4, at 7pm AEDST? Ayla and I would be able to make it to that session...

If this does move to the 4th, then I can join (if there's room)

Hey everyone is it possible to change the time to an hour or two earlier? Chris mentioned it I don't think it was discussed. 

Ayla D. said: Hey everyone is it possible to change the time to an hour or two earlier? Chris mentioned it I don't think it was discussed.  I could manage that.

I can do an hour earlier if that suits everyone? Any earlier than that it might be a struggle to get home from work in time.

So, we're looking at 1pm in Georgia rather than 2pm? I can swing that.

An hour earlier is great!

Yeah an hour earlier would be great. Thanks guys!

27 Highsun Hadn't even made it to Hope when I found trouble; a Human, half drowned and washed up on shore. I felt a bit like one of those mermaids the sailors told me about, as I resuscitated him and watched him wake, bleary eyed at me. Some kind of fire elemental thing was with him, though it didn't seem too protective of him, so I guess it wasn't his. We didn't talk much as I helped him up and walked him ashore, making sure he wasn't just going to wander off and fall in again. His people seemed to have been looking for him, which was a good sign; at least they cared enough to go tracking him down even out here, though they were knee-deep in their own troubles. My kin, and some McLargehuge of an Ogre were out collecting bounty on Human ears. I felt bad for attacking them, but I guess my side was set for me when I pulled this guy out of the water. After we took care of them, I found out the guy I saved was called Vincent, and he was following the same monastic arts I hoped to pursue. Perhaps I could have someone to teach me while I'm out here. I got introduced to everyone when everything settled; Gigi, Blaze, who the elemental belonged to, Bronson, a fucking unit of a man, Alec, and Drago. No-one seemed to mind me coming along, and I didn't really want to keep going on my own, so I followed them on their own journey to a place called Shibai. It was a little odd, I didn't recognise the architecture at all, though it was kinda pretty. Seems we were just in time, as some kind of blue fog was rolling in, full of these ugly little manthings that were attacking the people. After we saw them off, one of the folk, who'd seen our efforts, welcomed us in. A woman named Ishimoto somethingsomething. I don't have an ear for this kind of dialect. Turns out these things weren't the worst of the town's troubles, not least a pair of mercenaries that were claiming to be the town's answer to their troubles. I know liars when I hear them. They'd seen some beast off a couple of times, but it kept coming back. We tried to pry them for information, but they remained stubborn and pompous about their titles, not helped by them having the Mayor's authority backing them up. Gigi's tongue (her way with words) and a little alcohol saw to keeping them to one side while we worked around them. We got them hammered on the local wine, which I learned was made of rice, and got ourselves some rest with plans to go up the the monastery the next day while the two 'guardians' slept. 28 Highsun Well, the plan worked, the Mubo Brothers, the two idiots living off these people's desperation, drank themselves into a coma, but then so did Blaze near enough. He was clearly not happy the next morning, holding his head and shying from the light as we ascended. I'd have felt bad for him if we hadn't warned him of the plan beforehand. I hope this doesn't cost us. The place seemed empty when we arrived, and while Vincent and I lead a search, half the team got distracted by some room full of plants and water bowls. I was there first when it happened; first I saw a body, then it moved, it fucking moved, then puked up a ghost! An angry, very capable ghost, and then we were surrounded by the damn things! It was a mad panic to try and defend ourselves, and I barely had a chance to raise my fist when they howled at us, sending ice down my spine. I was out for most of it, but the others had managed to get themselves together and wake me. I rode out on Blaze's back as he took the form of a horse (not something I thought I'd ever say), and we left. Alec didn't make it, but Drago had been smart enough to grab one of the bodies I'd seen and make off with that, at least. We got back to town, showed the Mayor what we'd found, and were hoping to get a load off, when those Mubo Brothers showed up, calling us out for sandbagging them. We'll see how this goes...

Blaze's Fiery Ramblings Pt.2 - Monastery in the Mountains Well, while I was trying to track you down the river with the others after you took off to try and save Vincent , we came across an ogre and some goblins, but you came back to me baby and we took care of them together. You did good baby , lightin’ up one of those green-skinned assholes like a piece of kindling. I saw you and Vincent came across a goblin of your own, this one friendly-like, she says she helped save him too, Tannin , I think her name was. It was tough not to teach Vincent a lesson in manners and smack him right in the mouth when he din’t even thank you baby , but I thought it mighta’ been in poor taste, considerin’ I was at least partly responsible for the situation he was in.. We trekked onward, eventually findin our way to a little village called Shibai . Shots were ringin’ out in the distance when we arrived though, blue fog was rolling over the whole village, and they were under attack from the same little shits that attacked us on the bridge, so we made short work of ‘em. I thought I’d let you get your beauty sleep in though, it’d been a long day. Some of the others seemed to be strugglin’ with the fog, though you know I like a smoke so I didn’t find it so bad to breathe- no matter though some fancily dressed lady from the village named Ishimoto let us take a bit of a kip in her house while the fog passed. I don’t care much for politics so I weren’t listenin’ too good to what she was sayin’ but apparently her sister, the mayor, had employed a coupl’a good for nothin’ nobodies to take care of their ‘monster’ problem, so we paid ‘em a visit, these ‘Mubo’ brothers.  It was plain as day that they were lyin’, claimin’ to have killed this ‘great wind spirit’ that was turnin’ folks to dust, but here’s the kicker- they say they’ve killed it three times! I guess they ain’t so good at killin’. Anyways, the others had the bright idea to get ‘em stonkered so we could make our way up to the monastery in the morning since they were none too pleased with us going and investigatin’ ourselves. Fuck knows why we care what they think, but you know I like my drink, so I thought I’d join in with the festivities.  That little Tiefling I told you about last time, Gigi , decided to sweet-talk them so they’d take the free drinks. Worked like a charm, we filled ‘em with rice wine. It tasted pretty good, though it don’t burn none like the whisky I usually partake in, so I thought I’d be alright, and had my fair share too- we gotta make the ruse look believable right? Fuck me, that rice wine kicks like a mule in the morning. I’m sure it ain't the worst hangover I’ve had but it certainly feels like it. I almost pity those two brothers last night if they’re gonna wake up to the same shit I just did. Now we got a long walk up to the Monastery- fuck. I made it, barely. The others tried to sneak ahead while Drago and I hung back, mostly cause I weren’t sure if I were gonna retch- found a couple of nice water bowls that would have been perfect for that very purpose. Nothin’ brings me to like a pow-wow though, and that’s just what we had, as Tannin , Gigi and Vincent found ‘emselves face to face with some ghosts that seems to have come from the dead monks up here. Drago though we oughta flank em, and Alec and I followed him round the outside. Woulda’ been a swell idea if these fuckers couldn’t just float on through the walls. It’s about then I called for you baby , and like always you came to me. While Alec bit the dust you saved the rest of our skins- I think you might’ve even been the only one to kill one of the damn things!  We high-tailed it outta there- Tannin on my back while I was a stallion. I know you always called me your stallion but it sure is strange the things we both can do since that damned night.. But at least we got each other, right? Well, we got back to Shibai and showed the mayor what we found- she weren’t too happy she’d been had by those thievin’ brothers. Speak of the devils, they showed their faces, and they weren’t too happy either, I’d say it was mostly the hangover, but they didn’t like that we’d found them out either. Lookin like we’ll have to smoke these fools together too, baby - I’ll see you soon.

Awesome haha. Loving these, guys!

Monastery Poem cont' So the tale continues further up river Finding new friends and old  Happiness was short lived As arrows shot swiftly from the quiver Orcs and goblins swarmed in fearlessly  Fighting the hoard the heroes tasted victory  Pressing on in the distance, what did they see? A pale blue mist, the druids warning was not made lightly.  The of village of Shibai found itself under siege Gunshots the distance, pressing on into the mist The adventurers met the Mubo brother's, and the major -their liege The brothers tell tales of slaughtering an undying beast that yet persist Intermingled with wine our heroes caught the smell of deceit  A plan was hatched to subdue the brothers and sneak out of town  A night of alcohol, revelry and stories on repeat In the morning the heroes snuck out monastery bound,  But alas the heroes were met with a terrible foe Ghastly sprits arose from the grave  Poor A.L.EC went down with a powerful blow.  The party fought as hard as they could, and were brave A hasty retreat was made and to the town they returned Proof of their efforts in tow They revealed the brothers lies and the majors mood turned Gunshots in the distance, our heroes have made their latest foe.  Notes from Gigi's notebook: Everyone that I know, now is going to think that I am a complete and utter tart! It is not true!! I only acted like that to take one for the team and get the Mubo brothers drunk easily. So we could sneak out of town. Sanda was so handsy, sweaty and gross. And they other one was a no better. I promised myself that I was going to wait for prince charming and they are definably not charming! Their stories were terrible, and got worse with each cup of rice wine. Speaking of, why couldn't have Blaze controlled himself for once. Now we are towing a hungover druid up the mountain. I really hope we can kill this monster and stop the mists in Shibai. I'm hoping that it will also cure what it does to people - I've noticed an echo in my voice that I have not heard before. On the brighter side, it does give that something different to my singing voice. I'll have to ask Bronson  opinion when I have the chance. 

I had a dream when I fell and crashed into the roiling water. Or was it a nightmare? The line is getting blurred since it invaded my mind. My dark passenger, It visited me at an obsidian room. Or did I visit it? It does not matter that much. It scolded me because I tried to save Drago. The result was not what I hoped for but I value the bond and trust I could formed with the cost. I can recall the exact words it used to mock me. [Pathetic. Pittyful. Bond makes you weak. Compassion makes you weak. Now you see where they bring you. You do not need them. You do not need anyone.] [I will need them to bring you down] [Take their lives. Feast on their soul. I can show how it is done. If you open a door for me or pluck just one of your many defenses against me, you will emerge as a beautiful and powerful beast in the darkness before you. Or you can remain as a weak mortal.] [I heard this before. I am nothing but your enemy. I will rip you out and pierce your heart.] [Do you think you will defeat me as that? I will claim your soul. I will claim your everything.] And then I woke up, by Tanin. She was kind enough to help a stranger. That is how kindness works, although I do not have it but I will pay what was given to me. After killed a band of roamers, we arrived at the town. It was under an attack but we could provide the aid needed. The town was being tricked by liers. Those crooks were turning their eyes away from stopping the mist.  I do not need another unwelcomed guest. The temple was filled with ghosts. We lost ALEC. He will be avenged.

Patrol Report (2 of 2) Patrol composition:  Bronson, Vincent, Ruckus, ALEC, Gigi, Blaze, Drago, Tannin (joined during the partol) Mission: A) Locate the monastery. B) Additional objective - seek help repairing the gorge bridge. C)  Additional objective - speak with the Mayor about rumored corruption of the monastery Time of departure and return:   Depart - 22 Highsun.  Return - TBC Areas of interest:    Shibai, Robai Monastery, Gorge Crossing Route Taken:  Gorge Crossing - Shibai Village - Robai Monastery - Shibai Village Enemy Contacts:   Road, North of Gorge Crossing - 5 Goblins and 1 Ogre, all eliminated Shibai Village - 20 Adeddo-Oni Hunchlings, all eliminated Robai Monastery - TACTICAL RETREAT . 5 Vengeful Ghosts, 1 eliminated during combat, 1 eliminated by respectful burial of body.  Shibai Village - possible hostile contacts - Mubo Brothers, Treat with caution. Shibai Village - rumored contact - "Wind Monster"                  Casualties:  ALEC - KIA by Vengeful Ghosts  Mission Outcome:   A) Success.  Monastery located. See recommendations. B) Success. Mayor of Shibai will repair the bridge. C) Success. Mayor has commissioned us to help solve the Monastery corruption. Recommendations:  Monastery located. All inhabitants either killed or missing. Recommend accepting Shibai Mayor's request for help. Three ghost still haunt the Monastery. Recommend elimination via combat or burial of remains.  Mubo Brothers are potential hostile contacts. Recommend assessment followed by neutralisation if required.    Personel Reflection:   Vincent continues to amaze me. Not only did he survive the river but he stumbled from it, barely alive, and still managed to kill 3 Goblins. We all immediately marked the Mubo Brothers for what they really were - honourless mercenarys taking advantage of a desperate village. Thank Tymora I had the chance to grab one of the corpses from the Monastery as proof of their lies.  My only remaining question concerns their supposed encounters with the Wind Monster . Are they really defeating it? Or are the battles staged?