Xuande

(9/24/08 - 10/08/08)
My wanderings led me to the town of Brindol. I was low (well, let’s be honest, out) of coin, but prospects for work here looked up from the start: the town was abuzz with chatter about recent goblin activity. I went to a local tavern to sit and listen, hoping for more information, and possibly to find like-minded fellows willing to scrape out a living battling the blackhearts.

I received both information and allies in spades when the much discussed goblin activity crashed its way right into the tavern. Along with seven other travelers and a citizen of Brindol, we managed to repel the goblins from the tavern, though it suffered extensive fire damage and a few of the waitstaff lost their lives, to my regret. This is one reason I prefer to hunt bandits and goblins before they begin serious raiding: it is usually impossible to avoid unfortunate results for nearby innocents and their property.

We charged out of the tavern once it was cleared, only to discover the entire town was battling similar raiding groups… and worse, a few ogre-pulled fire wagons, one of which came into view shortly after our tavern brawl. Myself and the seven other outsiders charged this new threat, bringing the beast and its hobgoblin masters down in fairly short order while Billy (the helpful citizen from the bar) assisted the guard in fighting the fires. Once the ogre threat was dealt with, most of the outsiders (myself included, of course) aided in the firefighting efforts.

The next morning, we met with the local government, and as expected, were commissioned to deal with the goblin problem. What we did not expect was that this would include rescuing kidnapped citizens. Goblins and hobgoblins usually show little interest in such matters. A captive we were somewhat creative about interrogating revealed that the kidnappings might be related to the demands placed upon the goblin warlord Sinruth by some undead spirit friends of his dwelling at a place called Rivenroar.

Taking time to confirm the location of Rivenroar (actually a shattered keep that was attacked mid-construction during a war with the goblins some ten years past), we made our way there, passing through a small farming community and a dwarven village along the way. We were nearing the place when we were set upon by some strange insectoid creatures capable of burrowing about in the earth and, more lethally, flinging poisoned spines at foes in great quantity. This was easily our toughest challenge yet. I did my best to inspire my allies to fight through the poison and their injuries, and with the aid of the more tactical-minded warlord and that strange cleric fellow, we managed to keep everyone standing throughout the fight, but only just. We still do not know if the creatures were somehow led to the area by the goblins to ward off intruders, or if they are simply natural to the area.

After a night’s rest, we will resume the march to Rivenroar. I can only hope the kidnapped citizenry are and remain alive and well long enough for us to reach them.

[Loot Wish List]
(six 1st-5th level items Xuande’d like, in order of preference

1st: Exalted Chain +1
2nd: Cloak of Resistance +1
3rd: Thundering Longsword +1
4th: Heavy Shield of Protection I
5th: Belt of Vigor I
6th: Ironskin Belt I