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Setting

The fisherman looked around the table at the gathered adventurers who had come at his request. "I mentioned this earlier, but i'll be more specific now. Yes, the problem we're having are a band of hobgoblins. They've been attacking local fishermen out at sea. Their vessels aren't all that great, so we've been able to escape as often as not, but a few haven't come home, thanks to them. We need someone to get rid of them so we can go back to fishing without being terrorized by these thugs."

He cleared his throat before continuing. "I was able to stumble on the location of their lair by accident. I was fishing out near the barrier islands when I noticed smoke coming from a smaller one that I thought was uninhabited. When I drew closer, I noticed the hobgoblins' ships, and saw the smoke from a bonfire rising from the vicinity of a ruined lighthouse that used to be stationed there."

At this point, he revealed a bag and shook it lightly so that it made a jingling noise. "A few of my fellows and I have pitched together, selling some family heirlooms to draw in some money to pay for the excursion. The sum is 200 gold for your party to bring us back the head of their leader. I know it's not a huge amount, but it's more than we could make in a year altogether, and besides, it's only a small band of hobgoblins. no sweat for you guys, right?" He laughed lightly. "I know some employers hand out retainers, but to be frank, none of us have heard of any of you before, so we'll pay up once you've finished the job."

"Their leader is a mage, you'll know him by his red hair. We believe there are nearly a dozen of them in total. Happy hunting, my son and I will take you there so that we'll reach the island at nightfall and you can strike them while they're unprepared."

Joining Requirements

This is open to four level 1 characters. I'll take the first four that make a rounded party who PM me. The only request I have to make is that all posts be in full sentences, generally spell checked, and cohesive with decent grammar. I'm not asking the moon, but i'm not running this to be slapped in the face by bad english. wink But seriously, if you're not going to make the effort, don't waste my time. I WILL call people out on it, and eject people if they can't take the time to make sure they are understood.

I do request that players make the effort to check at least once a day, and if we are waiting on a player for more than 24 hours, I will post an action for them to move things along. The majority of posting on my end will be during the weekends, as I work 8-5 each weekday and don't have as much time to devote then.

Accepted characters: Hiaki Mahaado
Zelyhon
Heart Construct
Neokabookie

Sure, if you can fulfill the requirements.

I'm game though my character still needs a name. I'll get one up tonight and I can make game times on Sunday from 5-8pm i just need to alter my schedule a bit since I work Sunday nights from 9:30pm to 6:30am. I look forward to killing some hobgoblins with you all.

(Okay, this is going to be the play thread. I ask that no OOC chatter goes here, i'll be making a separate thread specifically for this module's OOC discussion. Please only post here if you are on the accepted list. Feel free to begin posting if you are as your character. If you are a spell caster, please PM me what spells you have prepared.)

The party sets forth from the harbor, riding in the fisherman's boat. The craft is about 20 feet long, and while it has seen better days, could also be in worse condition. The craft itself is piloted by the fisherman who hired the party, Nazreb, and his son, Jozreb. While both seem to be fairly confident men of stout heart, they are still somewhat frightened of the task that they are about to undertake; the delivery of the party to the island where the hobgoblins reside.

The pair is not exactly talkative, focusing on moving the boat to the destination as quickly as possible, allowing the party time to talk amongst itself.

It was crowded and quiet on the small vessel. For what seemed like hours the four occupants sat in uncomfortable silence while their guides navigated the calm seas. Jakob kneeled on the bench, his hands grasped the hull of the boat as he gazed out towards the ocean. Given his small statue one might have mistaken him for a child, taken in by the overwhelming sight of the endless sea if not for the weapons he carried and the gear he wore.

Jakob's black cloak flapped in the breeze revealing a breastplate of leather armor over a black shirt fastened tightly with a multitude of buckles. Slung over his back was a shortbow and quiver and at his hip he carrier a mace that for his size was quite large but seemed small in the hands of a human. His black hair hung shoulder-length in dreadlocks which he tied back behind his head.

He wasn't much of a leader but if he was going to work with these people and come out alive he at least needed to know who they were and what they could do. Turning back to face the center of the vessel Jakob scanned the people sitting around him. "Names Jakob" he offered, "my profession and reasons for joining this party are my own but I'll have you know I'm proficient with a bow and my small stature has gotten me in and out of many places others wouldn't go. If we are to work together I would like to know your names and what skills you possess."

Mareak sat silently, watching both the rest of the crew and the scenery. He looked fairly young, by his facial features. He had brown eyes that seemed to be darting here and there, as if worried they might miss something. His face was unscarred and his mouth was twisted into a grin, as if he were party to a joke that nobody else had understood. He wore simple clothing, a green tunic and brown trousers. His feet were covered with soft leather boots, which were in a condition that could only mean he hadn't been on the road long. Around his waist, he wore a wide belt that several pouches hung from. Over all of that, he wore a large grey cloak. On the boat beside him sat his pack, from which only one thing had been taken.

On his lap sat a large leatherbound book that most educated adventurers could recognize as a spellbook. He had, before boarding the boat, been deeply immersed in the text, muttering the words of magic silently to himself. Now, though, he had ceased his muttering, looking curiously at his companions. After the one named Camlin had ceased, he decided to introduce himself.

"My name's Mareak. I'm a wizards fresh from training. I'm currently learning through application, which is why I'm here."

(To help streamline things, i'll be rolling initiatives, and skill checks for things like Spot and Listen.)

Time passes slightly faster through the beginning of this conversation, and it seems to put the fishermen at ease. A moment of silence after Jin's statement a breeze picks up, accentuated by a dull cracking sound. A quick glance in the direction of the noise reveals something startling, and completely unwelcome; three grappling hook heads are attached to the (insert nautical term for front of boat here).

Even as the party begins to realize the hooks are there, three figures are coming over the edge of the boat; strange fish men, all of whom are holding tridents made of coral. One of the Locathah, somewhat larger and more muscular than the other two shouts in a language that most of the party can't even recognize, much less understand. The fishermen cry out and immediately start making their way to the opposite end of the boat as chaos erupts.

(Due to the time it takes the Locathah to board the ship, no one is caught surprised or flat footed. All of the Locathah have an AC of 14.)
Initiative: Locathah leader: 3
Locathah 1: 20
Locathah 2: 9
Mareak: 13
Jin: 13
Jakob: 22
Camlin: 8

Jakob, being the quick individual he is, is first to act. The small boat doesn't afford very much room for maneuvering, about 5 feet to close with the Locathah, and 5 feet to fall back from where the party is seated.