Jabbin looks around for a second. "I think its about to get dark, its just you and me for now. See if you can't start a fire, I am gonna get this food ready to cook (pointing at the dog like animal)." Jabbin starts to prep their diner. "It don't look like the tastiest thing in the world but it'll go down." He is still skinning the animal, he looks over to his new companion. "Whats yar name, and what are ya doing here? I need to get to know ya a little more if I am gonna bunk down with ya tonight."

My...my name's Toot. Toot McPie...I was about to kill you earlier... I am sorry sir. 

I am here looking for adventure...looking for companions to travel with, to have fun times with, to be...friends. 

Say, what are you doing here? What kind of goblin are you, with such compassion? 'Tis a rare sight to see a goblin who is not thirsty for my blood. 

And thank you for saving my life. I owe you my gratitude. 

Jabbin looks at his new friend, he thinks to himself, humans have such odd names. "My name is Jabbin the Rotten. Compassion is not my first reaction, if you would have charged at me there is a good chance I would be eating your bones." Jabbin chuckles to himself a little. "Me and a party of humans like you are tryin to save a princess. If ya want you can come along. I don't know where the others are right now though, guards got after us a little and we all got slit up. Those silly humans acted like they have never chased by guards before."

I have been chased by guards many-a-time before. It was a somewhat hobby of mine, stealing food for me and my little sister to survive...a Robin Hood for me and my what is left of my family. Unfortunately, the guards captured my sister, and I have yet to find her. She is a small child, determined, fierce, funny, yet she is helpless. I have no means of helping...all my "friends" have deserted me with time. 

I shall help with your somewhat silly excursion. A princess who cannot defend herself is not a good princess in my opinion. Whether it be by the words of her mouth or the fists of her being, she should not be unable to defend herself. 

Say, why not give a spar a go? Hand-to-hand...I do not want to slice you up. 

"I don't think I am up for a fight. We better get some rest, we got alot to do." Jabbin lays down on the  ground. He falls asleep almost as soon as hes head hits the ground.

(OoC: I skipped the 2 P.M. update, due to a lack of posts. If things flow better between now and 2 tomorrow, I will post the daytime update then)

Juilen, Jamie, Luna and Vandros

"Well, I don't know just yet if I buy your story or not, but I know it makes a world of sense more than the story those guards are telling. One thing I do know though, is that we've killed far too much time talking about this matter. Night's drawing nigh, and you haven't sufficient shelter here."

"We'll be fine" Luna says, with a note of resentment at his suggestion that they couldn't fend for themselves for one night.

Vandros gives a half chuckle
"More like you'll be dead before dawn out here. This is no place for a tourist to be camping, and out under the open skies at that."

"Tourist??" Luna's hair bristles at the insult "Who are you calling tourists? We just successfully defeated the most notorious villain of your kingdom. The one that your kings, warriors, and mightiest leaders couldn't take down with an entire army! And I dare say that you couldn't have held your own against him either."

Vandros laughs deeply, which only serves to upset Luna further.
"I like your attitude, miss."

"My name is Luna, not 'Miss'. 'Miss' is what my sword won't do if you don't get off of your ego trip, and"

"Whoa, easy now...Miss." Vandros says, obviously not intimidated by Luna's threats. "I just want to make sure that you and these young men here, are in a place where it's warm, and you don't have to sleep with one eye open. Somewhere safe." Vandros says, sounding sincere and concerned for once.

Luna couldn't deny that the man's deep voice and offer of shelter for their party had quite the calming effect on her, as it did on the guys. Her hair relaxed a bit, as she quietly contemplated the offer. It would be nice to have a break from vigilance, and to actually get some real rest for the first time since she'd been in this strange realm. Stealing a glance at the other two, and seeing by the look on their faces, that they wanted this rest as well, Luna finally began to come around.

"Alright, then" She began cautiously, "Where is this place, and how do we know we'll be safe there? We can't very well step foot back into your city." she said, as her eyes shifted toward the direction of the city they had fled a few hours before, then began to instinctively scan the plains around them for any possible threats.

"Of course not. I wouldn't think of taking you back through those gates, around that circus of guards. I do however, have a cottage in these woods, for when I have a large order of wood to fill. It allows me to do my work more efficiently. It's only a mile or so away from here." Vandros informs them. "There, no beasts will harm you, and no guards will find you. The land is known to belong to me."

"Very well then. Let us go that way then. But I will still be aware, and you'd best not try to trick us" She adds.

"Of course not, my lady" Vandros replies, as he begins leading the way to the cabin.

Upon reaching the cabin, Vandros offers them a meal, and they eagerly accept, except for Luna, who still refuses to let her guard fully down. After the meal, the others, Vandros included, turn in for a real night's sleep. Luna however, refuses to shut her eyes, until she knows that Vandros is asleep.

In the morning, Luna wakens to the sound of Jamie muttering something to himself. She looks to find him staring out of the window, his gaze earnestly fixed on something, or perhaps, someone.

"Jamie?" She calls out softly, but Jamie doesn't acknowledge her. "Jamie, what is wrong?" She asks.

"They're coming" He whispers back to Luna, his eyes never moving away from the current nothingness that he's so fixated on.

"Who's coming, Jamie?" Luna asked, as she rose to her feet, and grabbed her weapon. She didn't understand what he was talking about, but she didn't like what she heard in his voice.

"I don't know...but they're coming" Jamie's gaze finally turns to Luna "and they want us."

Those strange words, and dead set look in his eyes, made Luna shiver, as a chill ran down her spine.

"We need to leave, Luna. Now. We can't stay any longer. We shouldn't have stayed this long." He adds, sounding more frightened with every word. "They're getting closer...We must leave now."

"Alright, Jamie, I trust you. Let's wake the others, and leave." Luna says, trying not to let her voice shake, and announce the fear she feels from this whole situation.

Soon everyone is awake and headed for the door.

"We need to go this way" Jamie says, as he points to the West.

"No, that's a dead end. We need to go this way" Vandros says, as he points Eastward.

"No! That's where they're coming from! We have to go this way!" Jamie shouts urgently.

"I'm telling you, that way leads to a cliff wall. We're in a valley, and there's no way we can climb out. It's too steep." Vandros says sternly.

"Jamie" Luna speaks with a gentleness and kindness that is almost motherly "Is there an exit for us that way?"

"I..." Jamie breaks down and lets a few tears fall "I don't know. I just know they're going to be coming soon."


A cliff to the North, a wide raging river to the South, a possible as-yet unseen threat approaching from the East, and a dead end (according to the native) to the West, which way do they go?

- Westward, as Jamie insists

- Eastward. There may be a threat on it's way, and there may not be, but if there is, a dead end isn't the most defensible position

(OoC: All players make their own decision)



Jabbin and Toot

Toot manages to drift off to sleep, but soon wakes with a start. He looks around, and sees no apparent cause, but he can't shake the feeling that something bad is about to happen. He sits up in his bed, and scans the woods with his eyes, then he sees it: A group of about five men dressed all in black, and hoods, weapons in hand.

"Jabbin!" Toot whispers, as he shakes the snoring goblin "wake up! Someone's here, and I don't think they plan on playing nice".

"Er...what are ya blabberin' on about, Toot? The moon is still high" Jabbin says, groggily. He then turns over and sees the men closing in, and spreading out. Two stop, and the other three continue on. "Blimey! They're coming for our heads! And they 'ave archers to support them!" Jabbin rises to his feet, suddenly wide awake. "Who did you tick off the last time you sacked a place, lad? Whoever it is, they weren't very happy, that's for certain".

Battle begins.
Jabbin strikes first, and hits one of the men, dead on. The blade easily pierces him, just below the ribs. Jabbin cuts him wide, and the man falls to the ground to bleed out.

Toot takes a swing, and glances the second man's arm, setting him back a few steps, but his third fellow takes the oppotunity to blind side Toot, and charges him. Toot manages to duck and roll, but is caught by the tip of an arrow, and is knocked to the ground.

By this time, Jabbin has climbed the nearby tree, and climbed out over the archers. He drops down with his blade directly over the head of one of the archers, eliminating him quickly. Toot, dazed by the glancing blow of the arrow, looks up to see a man with a sword, trying to impale him. Toot rolls to the side, rises to his feet, and manages to bring one blade up, hitting the man in the gut, and the other blade down, in his back. Both blades slice cleanly through, and the man dies almost instantly.

The victory is short lived however, as he is attacked by the final man with a blade. The two lock blades and struggle for a moment, before Toot thinks to swing his other sword, and impales the man.

Jabbin attempts to stab the last archer, but as he swings, the archer ducks, and comes up with an arrow in hand, stabbing Jabbin in the gut. Fortunately for Jabbin, the arrow doesn't go in far enough to do any lethal damage, and the enraged goblin swings with a violent force, and sends his blade slicing through the archer.

Battle ends, and Jabbin and Toot have taken minimal damages (-1 HP for both).

"Well that was fun, now wasn't it?" Jabbin offers. "Now I suppose we need to keep a watch, in case something like this happens again."

"Perhaps you're right" Toot huffs.

The two take shifts sleeping that night, and in the morning, they head out, in search of the others, but what they'll find, remains to be seen.



(OoC: EDIT: Darn formatting tags again)

"Well, I'll take up Jamie on this one." Juilen raised his hammer, ready to fight. "Allons-y!" He shouted as he ran westward.

"My apologies Vandros, but Jamie requires my assistance...and I'll not let him depart alone. I'll band with him for now, with or without you." With an almost defeated look, Luna steps towards the west, trusting that Jamie was to not make a fool of himself. "Each of you have been of use thus far, do not let yourselves go to waste."

"But how did they find us ? The only person that knew we were here was Vandros and he said we'd be safe here and we obviously aren't. I hope you guys will make the right choice. To trust Vandros or not." As I shoot Vandros a look of hatred. "Liar !" I grab my wand from my belt holster and run off west. "If you decide not to come with me then I'm sorry, this is goodbye !" I shout as I get further away. Hoping for the best that they'll be safe.

Vandros looks at the adventurers, and impressed with their desire and drive, waves them in the right direction.  He has more wood to cut and simply cannot take the time to join them.  Sadly, he hangs his head, willing but unable to have the stamina to keep up.

"I wish you the best," he called after them.  "Continue down that path and you may find what you're looking for."

Sighing, he grabbed his axe and went back to the woods.

Luna stops and turns. "You'll not be joining us? Farewell. I dearly thank you for your hospitality, may our paths cross again some day." She turns back again and starts walking.

Juilen, Jamie, and Luna

The three adventurers continue along the Westward path, uncertain of what to expect, but not slowing their pace even for a moment. Silently, they trek through this vast unknown land, past the strange plants that seem to come in every color but green, and funny looking creatures scurrying about, gathering food, as they hope for safety from whatever is after them.

After about a fifteen minute speed walk, they see it: Sure enough, a cliff wall. There is no way out, and Jamie's senses tell him that danger is closer now than ever. 'They' are closer now, and they're closing in quickly.

"Where to now?" Luna asks, a little frustrated to see the dead end, just as Vandros had warned.

"I don't know..." Jamie says, as he searches for any means of escape. "We can't go back though. They're almost here."

"WHO??" Juilen shouts, as his frustration gets the best of him.

"I don't know! I can't explain it, I just sense them!" Jamie snaps back, as a headache begins to set in from all of the anxiety and pressure. Things begin to flood his mind. Things he doesn't understand, and cannot explain, strange words and seemingly unrelated images. He sees a woman in a robe, a sword, and a waterfall. He sees a large beast, he sees a castle that's been broken down, he sees himself with a glowing wand...or is it Scott?

"Calm down, you two. Fighting won't help anything." Luna admonishes the two. She then looks at Jamie, who is holding his head, grimacing. "Jamie? Jamie, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

"Jamie..." the voice sounds so far away, but Jamie faintly hears someone calling to him. "Jamie, what's wrong?" Is that Luna? He manages to open his eyes, and sees her reaching to him. "Are you alright?" He hears her asking.

"Yes...I think so." Jamie says, his thoughts a little foggy still.

"Over here!" Juilen shouts. "I found a cave! Maybe this will provide us with some shelter from....whoever is out there. You'll have to climb the tree to get up here."

The cave is, in actuality, a small hole, high up in the cliff wall, just big enough for them to squeeze through. After plenty of effort, Luna and Jamie manage to squeeze into the opening. They crawl deeper into the cave, and notice that it widens as it goes. Soon, they find themselves in a small room, that probably measures 5x10, that's just tall enough for them to stand in. As Luna turns to look back, she sees that the light from the opening they came through is quickly growing dim.

"They're here..." Jamie says softly.

Silence falls on everyone in the room, and soon they hear strange sounds from outside. They strain their eyes to see if the darkness that has fallen in the valley is coming in the cave with them, but seeing darkness in darkness is a rather difficult thing to do, and no one can confirm anything. After a few moments of waiting, they realize that the darkness isn't coming in for them, and they begin exploring the cave some more, and find that it goes on for several miles, ending with a solid wall, and a large hole in the floor of the cave, that is conveniently located above a body of water.

"Think we should do it?" Juilen asks, as he looks at the others.

"I don't see how we have any other choice" Luna answers.

And with that, the group builds up the nerve, and plunges toward the waters below.


Jabbin and Toot

Jabbin and Toot travel on, still seeing no sign of Jabbin's group. They pass trees, then more trees, and yet more trees, and for a change of pace, they pass some trees. Finally, they come to a clearing, with fields of flowers in strange colors that Jabbin has never seen before. They're beautiful...or that's what Jabbin would think, if he believed such feelings and thoughts were becoming of a warrior. In the distance there is a beautiful waterfall that empties into a crystal clear lake. At the lake, another deer like creature like the ones Jabbin spied as he arrived, are drinking.

"Food." Jabbin says, to Toot, as he stares at the creature. Silently, they sneak up close enough to spear the creature with a toss of Jabbin's sword. They stand behind a tall bush, a few yards away. Jabbin lifts his blade like a spear, and takes careful aim. He's done this many times before, and he's pleased with the perfectly clear shot that he has now. He pulls back, and


SPLASH!


Luna, Jamie, and Juilen seem to fall out of the sky, and land in the lake, not ten feet from Jabbin and Toot. The splash sends water high into the air, which comes crashing down on top of Toot and Jabbin, soaking them both. The whole thing happens so quickly that it startles both Jabbin and the deer creature, causing Jabbin to jerk just as he goes to release his sword, sending it off course, and into the ground, almost piercing Toot's foot, and the creature to bolt into the woods.

"Hey! You nearly took my foot clean off with that thing!" Toot shouts, more concerned with the sword than the fact that it's raining people.

"What on Earth...or other Earth, or wherever we are, was that?" Jabbin says, looking over at the lake. His question is answered as his friends surface, and swim for the shore. "Where did you three come from?" He asks, as he finally recognizes them.

"Up there." Luna says, as she points at the overhead bluff. "Don't ask. It's a long story, and I don't even understand it myself." She adds, as she tries to dry off.

"So these are your friends that you told me about?" Toot asks Jabbin.

After a bit of talking, the group relays their story to Jabbin and Toot, and they all agree that they need to head on. Fortunately, Toot knows the way to the nearest settlement: Pior.

Along the way there, they are met by a pack of wolf creatures.

"Gowles." Toot says. "These guys are anythin' but friendly. Be careful." He says, as he draws his blades.

Battle begins, as the creatures, ten in total, attempt to attack the group.

(OoC: You guys handle this one. Jabbin and Juilen take 2 damage, Toot, Luna, and Jamie take 3. You win)


Vandros

Along the way back, Vandros notices that the widlife around him is becoming less and less active, and the sky seems to be growing dark. He tries to ignore it, and presses on. A few yards down the way, he sees strange forms, and notices that the sky is nearly black as night. He arms himself, and stands his ground, intending to slaughter the beings if they prove hostile.

"Who are ya?" Vandros shouts to them.

No answer. They continue to come closer.

"I said, who are ya? Answer me!"

Still nothing. Now they're right on him. Vandros swings at one with his axe, but it goes through him, never making contact. The strange creatures don't even seem to notice him, and continue onward.

"What the blazes was that all about?" Vandros wonders aloud. Then he realizes what's happening: "Those things are after them...".

Vandros runs as fast as he can, and actually passes the things. As he arrives at the dead end, he sees no one is around.

"How in the... Well I'll be, they did find a way out." Vandros chuckles "I guess I underestimated those tourists." He says with a smile.

On his way back, he passes by the darkness and creatures again, still headed in the direction of the adventurers he left. He can't help but feel like he should look for them, but where could they have gone? As he ponders this situation, he runs into a pair of creatures he's never seen. They have four arms, two legs, two sets of teeth each, Brown fur, and Yellow eyes. The creatures stand about five feet tall.

"Well, If it isn't ugly and uglier." Vandros says, as he readies his axe for battle, and strikes.

(OoC: You handle this battle. You win Tell us how)


(OoC: I apologize for the extremely late update. There will be no update at ten, or tomorrow. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and be ready for more adventure Friday )

Luna slowly moves her sword from her back, holding it with both paws in front of her. "We're surrounded. Take this slow..." As one of the creatures that Toot called Gowles attacks, She holds up the blade like a shield and the creature hits it like it would a brick wall, bloodying it's face. However, she does not notice that another one was behind her and it attacked, biting into and piercing Luna's armour and her waist in the process. She swipes with her sword, cutting it in half and sending it flying into a nearby tree. As another tries to pounce her from behind, she turns to it, swinging her sword, shattering it and sending it back, hitting Jabbin from behind. She gets onto her knees And holds her wound as two more come flying at her from different angles, unable to stop either of them, they both bite into her, one biting her tail and the other her shoulder. "H-help me..!" She cries, hoping for her allies to assist her.

Readying my wand, a Gowle launches at me, I get onto my back and with my feet in a feedle like position I kick the Gowle back behind me, I turn and shout "Icle incata..." mid-spell a separate Gowle attacks me from behind shattering my focus and knocking me onto my back, the creatures fangs shanking into the back of my neck inch by inch, I knock back my head nearly whiplashing my neck, the Gowle lets go and I head goes right into its face, rolling over, "Yol !" sending a fireball at the wolf that was previously biting me setting the creature a light and running around in circles trying to put itself out, turning around to continue my spell from before "Icle incatatum," the legs of the beast freeze completely solid and when it attempts to put pressure on them to pounce at me once again it's legs shatter as if made of glass, the beast lay whimpering on the ground no longer a problem, I leave it to suffer in it's own misery until death. My ear turns to pick up a faint "help me" Turning to face an in danger Luna, "Spiritus Vis !" Jamie shouts while motioning downward, knocking the beasts on their head disorienting them and another out like an exploding ball of pressure. I run up to Madam Luna, "LUNA !!  Luna we have to get up are you okay ? Luna..." as the beasts recover and slowly walk towards Luna and I, readying my wand. "Guys ?!"

There are only a few left. It looks like Toot is fighting one and doing well. The rest of the beasts surround Jabbin. He walks in a circle around the beasts that have him trapped. One lunges forward and bites him on the arm. On the sight of blood all the dog like animals go into a frenzy. Teeth and claws are flying. One jumps at his back, but smashes its face on the shield Jabbin has hooked to his back. Jabbin swings his swords in all directions, trying not to get bit and trying not to cut his friends in the process. Jabbin remembers something! In the market when the guards were after him, he took a magic bomb. When it is smashed it emits a blinding light. "Everybody shut your eyes!" Jabbin throws down the bomb. All the Gowles are blind, it is temporary but last long enough to make easy work of them.

(OoC: Apologies for my absence, everyone. I'll post an update tomorrow around 2. Thanks for your patience)

Jamie, Juilen, Yuna, Jabbin, and Toot

Wounded, but victorious, the adventurers manage to regroup after the battle, and set out on their path again.

As they reach the settlement of Pior, and it is just that: a settlement. A few huts, free range livestock everywhere, and a few "shops" that are merely carts filled with foods, sitting in front of said huts.

Just as the group begins to doubt Toot's judgement that this place could possibly be of any use to them, a middle aged elf walks up to them.

"Ah, Toot! How have ya been, my boy?" He says, as he looks first at Toot, then at the odd blend of characters that he was running with.

"Hello, Reyin. Allow me to introduce my new friends, Jabbin, Luna, Jamie, and Juilen." He says as he gestures to each of them accordingly.

"Blimey. It looks as though you've all seen yer bettah days. What did you get in a fight with? We bettah get you folks healed up, don't ya think?" Reyin says, as he leads them to a small shack, without allowing them to respond to the question first. Inside the shack, they see find a woman, with long flowing brown hair, and green eyes, wearing a white robe.

"Well I see we have some wounded to tend to here, don't we?" She says, as she sees their blood stained clothes. "I do hope most of that blood is from the other guys." She says as she smiles. Again, before they can say anything to protest, the woman waves a wand. "There. All better." She says.

"What? That's craz..." Luna trails off as she realizes her arm suddenly no longer hurts. A quick feel of her wounds reveals that there are no longer any wounds to feel.

"Wow. That is some very powerful magic you wield." Jamie says, in admiration of such ability.

"It is indeed" She says, "but my magic is used solely to help. I can heal, I can guide, and I can assist in various ways, but I cannot do battle, such as you do".

"How..." Jamie starts to ask, in shock.

"How did I know you wielded magic? It is one of the powers of my particular light magic. And the power you wield, it is indeed a dark magic, but not an evil one. Your power is deep, and very great. You must however, learn how to tap into it in it's fullness." She answers the wide-eyed Jamie. "And as for the princess...you will find her in the castle of Lord Tyron".

"Lord Tyron?!? What in the blazes is she doing there??" Toot asks, obviously shocked by this announcement that meant nothing to the others.

"That is beyond my ability to tell you. All that I can see, is that she is not as you expect to find her." The woman answers.

"What does that mean?" Luna asks.

"I don't know. My powers are limited, and seeing personal details that one hides...that is beyond my abilities. I was able to read Jamie because his powers are not a secret. I could read you, because you had made your journey no secret to others, but Princess Sael...whatever this is...she's keeping it secret from all. That is all that I know." She says. "Now, you had best head on your way before it's too late. Also be sure to equip yourselves better. Reyin, can you help them?".

"Aye, Ms. Diela." Reyin says with a bow. "Follow me" He instructs the group. As the head out, he takes them to his smith shop. "Wait here, and I'll fix you up real quickly."

A few hours pass, and Reyin walks out with the newly fixed up swords (+2 attack) of Jabbin, Luna, and Toot, a new staff and charm for Jamie (+2 attack), and a new set of armor for Juilen (+2 Health).

"Rescuing Princess Sael? You have a lot to explain when you're finished, Toot. Like how on Earth did you get involved in something like this?" Reyin scolds his friend.

"Alright, Reyin. I'll explain it all. But for now, we must be off. Wish us well!" Toot calls as he heads off before Reyin can hold him any longer. "That old boy will talk all day if we let him".

The adventurers head back out with their new equipment, en route for the castle over the hill.

After Jamie receives his new staff he tests it out with a few minor spells and motions that he is more accustomed to a smaller instrument with. Jamie comes upon a tree in which he tries out one of his bigger more difficult spells on, standing in front of the tree Jamie twirls the staff around in his hand, or at least attempts to, the staff's end smacks him in the face and he immediately lets go of it to cover his face, but oddly enough the staff didn't fall to the ground it stayed floating in front of him. When he looks at it then back at the group to see if anyone else is seeing it, the staff smacks him in the face again as if it's own free will. "STOP IT ! I am not gonna get along with you am I ?" Jamie says to it as if it was a living object.

Jamie continues along with the group and starts to think back, maybe I should have asked that healer some questions about good magic so I could help the group... Darnit we're already gone from there...

Luna lifts this new blade of hers, clearly different from the last. "It seems larger and heavier... This is not my old sword, but I care not." She swings it up onto her shoulder with a loud clunk. "Jamie, what nonsense is that? A staff is not a toy." She attaches it to a clip on her back and follows besides with the group.