"Greetings, fair guard Vivian Cerys, I am Alexander. I am a paladin, a defender of truth and law." he proclaimed proudly to the guards. As he bowed his head and did the other necessary respects to their authority. "As my friend Iris stated to the other guard, we seek to stop a raid of goblins from attacking this fair city. I would prefer this to end peacefully, but goblins are a savage race and may are tempted to greedy and vanity by anything shiny."

" It would be a great help if you could offer us anything on are quest. We are still in need of a few horses, and some men to help us fight off the raid would be a great help. Again, the slightest thing would be of great help. And it would ultimately help your city if we are successful. We could stop them before they could even dent the gates."

"I'm called Gwenaël, " the ranger said, keeping his words as brief as possible. He let the others converse with the guards; he was looking around at the keep. Would a place so well protected really be in danger? I wonder if we'll be needed at all. As the Paladin requested aid, he spoke up "Aye, it'd be wiser to take the fight to them. Fresh mounts would let us ambush them before they could assault the palace here." It'd be nice to have a horse after the long walk from the city; maybe if they skirmished a bit with some goblin scouts they'd be willing to let him keep one.

The falcon perched on his shoulder let out a squawk. Gwenaël lifted a hand to calm the bird, silent among his own thoughts. The goblins must know of this place's defenses or they wouldn't bother. If they could break through these guards and their magic walls, why do we think we can stop them?

Alarei nodded curtly towards the captain of the guard, dismounted his horse and spoke lastly “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Guard Captain Cerys.” He agreed with his companions, cutting them down before the Goblins could suspect a thing could quite potentially make short work of them – that would be taking into account that this Goblin raid party didn’t number in the thousands, however. “We hope you take heed of our words, Guard Captain - for I fear that these Goblins could quite potentially test these proud walls…stubborn and greedy bastards as they are.”

“I wish not to patronize you or your guardsmen, Guard Captain – I see that you are an incredibly powerful mage, we just wish to lend our arms to ensure that these whoresons are put down.” The fighter rested his hand upon the pommel of his sheathed sword, awaiting the Mage’s response, hoping that her somewhat glowering presence would betray itself to reveal a rational woman from within.

The Guard looked at the Paladin, "No, Alexander, we have nothing for brigands or cut throats. I would have not let you in if I thought you were paupers, with your helmets in hand and your hands out stretched." She then looked at the rest of the group. "We have no need for mercenaries either, my guard is the strongest in the land, and while the Goblins seem to be in larger numbers then we normally handle, it doesn't mean I'm going to open the castle armory to every idiot who fancies themselves an adventurer. I was trying to be polite."

"And you," She said turning her gaze Alex, "Did you really expect for me to open up the stables to people who just walk up to the gates? You must be daft. Besides, you have a changeling of some sort with you, why not ride him." She then gave the whole party a derisive snort, as the guard came back. "Our Lady is currently indisposed, she asked for you to receive their request, and then ask them to return another day."

"The Fair Lady will have to meet you beggars, another time. I'm sooo sorry for the inconvenience, but you see we're preparing for a siege." She then pointed at the guards hurrying too and fro getting their plate on, manning stations. "And you stay away from those goblins, or I swear I'll split you in twain, and use your innards to string up my bow."

"Miss, Cerys, I am Iris Zelenki, and although I am but a humble bard I must insist that we are no ordinary adventurers. We would be assets to your soldiers in this battle and we could help wherever you see fit. Won't you let us help you?" Iris inquired.

"I don't even think you're capable of helping us. But if you must, go into the woods and see if you can find one of our patrols. They're 30 minutes late." Cerys snapped.

Iris sighed, "Alright." With that she turned and headed back, on her horse, to the gate. Just as Iris was out of the gate she turned around to see the others being thrown and forced out by some castle guards. The gate slammed shut and the whole party was now outside.

Iris looked to Gwenaël, "Think we should do what she said? Or what?"

"So, what do you guys want to do? I don't really think they want our help..." Iris said awkwardly.

"I do have the ability to invoke my god's name in order to allow us to pass, however it can be risky as they might not follow the command. However, I am sworn to do whatever I can to complete my divine mission." Alexander remarked.

"I'm not one to place too much faith in the Gods, but if you think it will help us - then by all means." Alarei looked behind him to see the Palace once more, and the bitch inside. "I say we ignore her, we were here to kill the Goblins. We do that, we might gain the Queen's favor."

"And a Queen's favor sounds a lot more valuable than coin ever could."

"Well, the, er, Captain did leave us a suggestion. I suggest we follow that before we... Go about the business our own way, whatever our way will be." Geckle looked forwards at the woods uneasily. "What if the patrol encountered a party of, er, goblins? They seem too well-trained to be late for trivial reasons. Considering what we're here to d-do, it sounds like a place to start."

"Mm, the little one is right - we should investigate the disappearance of this patrol, we'll see first hand whether or not these guards are as cracked up as the Mage bitch seems to think they are." Alarei led his horse by bridle behind him. "I say we hitch our horses somewhere near the palace - trekking in the woods with the horses could create some unwanted attention - and it'd be a little harder to navigate through the thick undergrowth on the back of a horse."

"Sounds good to me, but what say you, Gwenaël?" Iris asked, turning towards the ranger.

"I say we'd best get moving. With that smoke in the air, there won't be much time. As much as I'd hate to do help someone so rude and prudish, we need to help with the goblins."

And with those parting words they soon found themselves approaching the dark wood, it was an insidious place, with very few game, and even less fruit. The trees had bark that was reminiscent of flesh, and the sap would ooze like festering wounds a thick salty muddish brown mixture. Only the strongest and wiliest of creatures could survive there for very long. The grass lands quickly turn to purple caked dirt, and there was no sound of life where there was life but moments before. The group stood at the precipice of the forest.

((Everyone Roll 2d6+Wis/Int whatever is higher, on 7-9 you get 2 questions 10+ I'll give you 4))

The druid put a hand to his spear as he looked into the grim trees. The weight had yet to grow familiar or welcome, but its presence felt a little comforting in this menacing place. The growths weren't unnatural, and appearances had never bothered him much. What unnerved Geckle was the aura the trees and earth were exuding. The spirits here may hold malevolent intentions with regard to trespassers, and the temperment of the wildlife would probably reflect this. Wildlife... Or un-life. Or goblins! Ugh... Geckle discarded the idea of trying to take on an alert, forest-suited form. There could be combat at hand. "Watch your step, friends..." Cautiously Geckle made the cross into the grim woods.

There were few animals to be seen here, but Geckle still felt watched. The decision not to take horses was a good one, he felt. I could think more clearly if we had a lookout... I need a pair of more suited eyes. Hunching over the peeling bark of a dead branch, Geckle inflated his throat slightly and sounded a low ribbit. Immediately a large black moth with pale eyes emerged from the cracked timber. Its legs looked like rusty fishhooks. "Come out, friend. You are called." Geckle croaked.

The moth quivered and made a scratching sound. "By what magic do you call me from sleep?"

"A druid, who demands your aid. The spirits here are silent and full of menace to me. Be our lookout on the path, for harsh times are coming, even for these woods, and we must move quickly." The moth quivered again, then took flight, making a wide circle around the traveller's heads. Geckle straightened and hurried to catch up again, feeling a little less jittery. Would the moth know what the goblins are? Perhaps they've convinced the dangers here to ally with them... Hm.

"This forest is home to dreadful undead. The undead, and the other dangers of this forest can cause you to feel fear and terror with there unholy presence." he continued. Alexander was on high alert. With every breeze of the wind he turned his head to look. This was an unholy place of undead abominations. He believed the dead should go into the ground, and say in the ground.

The goblins didn't bother him all that much. Even if the goblins he was dealing with was the child-snatching variety the townspeople thought they were, which more or likely they are or they wouldn't being raiding, that is still much better than the undead. Just thinking about the un-living creatures made his blood boil and his hands shacked. He considered asking his god for guidance as to allow him to detect evil, but he was never told in the nitty-gritty of the pray, and it wouldn't be much use if he had to know about the creatures presence or if he would detect some skeleton half way across the forest.

As the group ventured into the forest, Gwenaël kept his eyes open for a trail, but found none. If the goblins were nearby, they were hiding very skillfully. His bird flew nervously overhead as the group made their way into the tainted forest, preferring to stay above the cloud of dread that clung to the trees. "I've a bad feeling about this," the ranger muttered to no one in particular.

The fighter kept his hand grasped firmly around the hilt of his sheathed sword as he ventured into the forest with the rest of the group. He took notice of the sinister mood which seemed to bare down on him like the touch of death itself. His plated boots crushed leaves underfoot and his chainmail jingled rhythmically which each step he took. Alarei withdrew his sword slowly and as quietly as he could able and at the same time brought his shield in front of him so that he could peak over it. The blade rested along the top of his shield as he took a cautious posture venturing forward.

“Aye, stay close and keep an eye out for your flanks – this forest permeates death.” The twisted and gnarled roots of trees swept across the blackened ground as if they were trying to snatch at his ankles and drag him underneath. “This mission of ours could end sooner than expected if we don’t cover each other’s backs.”

Iris and the others ventured deeper into the forest, where the was virtually no light from the sun able to pierce the foliage of the dense wood, and the air smelled stale, like rotting leaves and stagnant water... and of smoke.

Iris, always prepared, had a lantern which she removed from her pack and lit, lighting their way. The forest looked sinister and frightening. The red smoke had become trapped under the dense leafs and the air was tinged pink. The dew on the leafs even absorbed some of the red particulates, enough so that it looked as though the trees were covered in blood. As they drew deeper into the forest screams and crunching noises became audible and grew louder. The crunch of bones and gnash of teeth. Wild life being devoured by the undead.

"This place is evil... Why ever would they build a palace near here?" Iris chuckled, trying to keep the mood light.

Noticing the mood is rather tense, Iris decides to tell some jokes.

"A chicken and an egg are lying in bed. The chicken takes out a cigarette and begins to smoke. The egg, pissed off, takes one look at the chicken, rolls over and pulls the blanket over him and says, 'I guess we answered that question!'"

"Three vampire bats live in a cave surrounded by three castles. One night, the bats bet on who can drink the most blood.

The first bat comes home with blood dripping off his fangs. He says, 'See that castle over there? I drank the blood of three people.'

The second bat returns with blood around his mouth. He says, 'See that castle over there? I drank the blood of five people.'

The third bat comes back covered in blood. He says, 'See that castle over there?' The other bats nod. 'Well,' says the third bat, 'I didn't.'"

"A man cheats on his girlfriend named Lorraine with a girl named Clearly.

Suddenly, Lorraine died.

At the funeral, the man stands up and sings, 'I can see Clearly now, Lorraine is gone.'"

The lightening of the mood is tangible and Iris smiles.

Geckle puzzled over the jokes for a while before chuckling nervously. The lantern was comforting as the sunlight became sparse and obscured. The quietly flying moth kept up its wide circling in the trees, but like the keen-eyed Gwenaël, gave no warning of anything lurking nearby, yet. Why was the palace built here? It's a good question. The goblins may have been hiding here for many generations... They'll know how to stay safe here, but the palace is newer. There's probably a good reason for it. After all, the palace was superbly defended by men and magic. What kind of arcane concoction went into that bubble, I wonder? I suppose I could imitate a little of that, if any good spirits still answer... The druid clasped one hand over the glass amulet he wore and another to his only weapon, praying for faraway spirits to extend their ghostly hands to their servant. "I advise we say a few words to our... Protectors, to encourage ourselves," Geckle offered, glancing at Alexander particularly. "They're, er. better armed than we are."

The trees groaned and cracked, and moans were heard far off. Animals screamed in terror, and were hushed, the forest rising to large dissonant din. The smoke hung about the leaves dripping like blood, the soft squish of boots in mud were heard close by. Gwaneii's Eagle was terrified, and conveyed to him the dangers in the woods.

At the same time, the Moths flew to Geckle, "Monster's ahead, demons, undead, dark things. The forest is dead, danger is clear. Go no further. We refuse to go any further." And with that the bugs flew off.

Geckle drew breath to speak but choked down the words for fear of interrupting any details. The moth was gone as soon as the warning was finished, leaving him in a minor panic. 'Demons'! 'Go no further'! I should give warning of this... Geckle made hushed but urgent whispers and gesticulated fervently for the party to halt. "Hush, hush, hurry! T-terrible things await us this way! We... Should be on guard now, watch out, watch out." He drew a deep breath and looked into the trees warily. "Eyes open now, eagle heard it first, whatever's c-causing those noises is very close. Another path, yes?" Was there anything moving in the menacing trees? He very dearly hoped against it.

Alexander rolled his eyes at the first joke, and then just sighed at the second joke, but then smirked at the last one. His smirk quickly disappeared as soon as it came. "Is this really time for jokes buffoon?" he asked.

When he heard Geckle's words he paused. "Give me a moment." He said, stopping and with his halberd handle up by one hand and his holy paw in the other, he quickly prayed, "My god, give my guidance now in this unholy place. Please allow me this knowledge, what is evil in this place?"

"The undead, the trees, the leaves, even the ground beneath your feet is suffused with the dead. Unnatural souls trapped in Unnatural bodies. Find my children, the fire conjurers pure of heart deeper in the woods. When you speak in my tongue, they will know you as a friend. You must help them find peace, they have suffered to long. I grant you this boon Alexander, you will not fear these creatures for you walk in my light." And with that Alexander found himself full of courage, the cold of the woods seemed to peel away from him, and he brightly shone with an inner light powerful and strong. "Call for help in my voice child, and My children will come."

It was then that Gwenaël felt a slight rush of air, a warning of what was soon to come.

In the distance, he could make out the silhouette of five large humanoid shadows, and the Ice Bolt's glow illuminated a sixth in the back. He could hear more rustling as their movements woke up the forest, a loud undead din filling the trees.

(Gwenaël, open your post with a dodge, Ice-Bolt headed for your head, 2d4 damage)

(Everyone roll 2d6+wis+1 from Iris' joke telling + 1 from Alexander's aura of Courage: Take -2 to your next roll if 1-6
-1 if 7-9
+1 if 10-12 for being super brave )

The din of shambling corpses flooded the ears of the party. A familiar fear found its way into Gwenaël’s heart - the shuffling of decaying bodies was not a foreign sound to him. The ranger tried to regather his wits, but before he could do even that, a rush of air followed by a resounding crack raced towards him. The thin, shining spear of ice barrelled into the ranger’s chest, throwing him backwards into the gnarled, deathly bark.

Spitting up some blood, Gwenaël staggered back forward, checking to make sure there wasn’t a gaping hole in his chest. Assured that his armor had taken the brunt of the impact, he kneeled down, pulling out his bow, “If you’re done talking to the voices in your head, I think the answer to your question. Now would be a good time to go all righteous fury on them,” the ranger said after cursing at his injury.

You’re going to regret that, he seethed inwardly, drawing an arrow from his quiver and eyeing the dark where the icicle had come from. I’ll make you regret ever crawling out of your gangrenous mother!

The shot flew true, no doubt making a satisfying thunk upon entering the creature’s rotting chest. Got you Gwenaël smiled to himself, already reaching for another arrow.

---

The creature fell backwards, two more taking it's place. wielding dark blades that shown in the dim light of that Paladin's Aura. The ones in front started to enter, they're twisted gnarled faces groaning, skin sloughing off revealing thin bone, and patches of under-flesh. Blood splurting from open oozing wounds. They're eyes were glassed over, scratched with tiny micro-tears from years of death. They walked slowly, but when they swung they're blades they found unexpected speed.



Two approached Alarei, the larger of the pair brought his sword vertically, trying to split the adventurer in twain, whilst the other swung his blade lower aiming for the knees. Their blades seemed to hiss through the air, and green smoke exuded from the hilts.



(Alarei, roll to dodge (Dex) or block (STR), 1-6 take 3d4 Damage, 7-9 Take either 3d4, or -1 Dexterity due to your legs being harmed 10-12 You manage to kill one enemy, and knockback the other. No matter what happens take your attack.)

Alarei was caught off guard when the larger of the two creatures swung their sword past his defence, striking him squarely in the shoulder (should be an 8 as -1 to bravery) – wounding him moderately (-2 damage dealt to Alarei as his shield & armor negate two points of damage.) He retaliated by slamming his shield against the shorter one aiming for his leg, narrowly avoiding a strike which could have made him lose footing and fatally injure him.

The fighter arched his back and swung diagonally for the larger of the two monsters, and hitting him for all his worth cutting deep into the monster’s gut. He twisted his sword into the creatures wound before pulling his blade back out.

However, Alarei was now left open for a counterattack from the creature.

---

Currently at 18 hit points out of 25
Dealt 10 points of damage to the larger creature

The creature was cut in two as both pieces fell to the ground, rotted chunky blood flowing out of the bottom half of his spine. as the blue fire died out of it's eyes. More monsters flooded into the clearing, approaching from multiple directions. That's when Iris the bard heard rustling behind her, the smell of smoke and burning pus filling her nostrils.

Near her were Alexander and Alarei, she could try to hit the Undead who was about to swing at Alarei, but then she would be open for attack, or she could attack the creature approaching the Paladin.