Dear Diary 4/30/10

We've been in the bush for awhile now and going nowhere fast. We've gone from being a military squad to an assisination squad. All we seem to do is jab and fade, jab and fade.

Our squad is tactically out manned, Lil' Bastard got himself into trouble with some officer's wife and he's the only guy who can understand what these damn animals are saying and then the Sarge has got it out for Ilvain. Just as well, that chump took my goods even after I hooked up the squad with that merchant. Anyway we could still use him for lookouts and to keep them snipers off of us until we can run up and gut them.

I need my stuff to take the edge off, this jungle is changing me into an animal, I am getting careless, running into battle just to make the enemy bleed, tried a new move, pretty sweet, knocked three of those bastards on their ass, unfortunately they are fast as hell and got up and cut me good before my mates could come over and finish them. Then I went jumping off the top of a tree just to see if my sword could pierce the thick skulls of those bastards, it worked but way too much risk for the reward.

I'm losing touch with my halfling soul, I'm becoming a killing machine, drawing blood from the enemy is my new drug. Man do I need a fix.....

From: Sgt. "Stomp Ass" Malrail

To: LCpl "Smaug" Ilvain

Message:

Ilvain, I know you don’t understand my decisions most of the time, and that’s okay. It’s not your job to understand, it’s your job to do what is asked of you. And right now, I’m asking you to be ready for pickup and a drop off. Your squad is in some deep shit and I need you to help them get out of it. We have a downed wyvern, and a wyvern crew who is on its own in the bush. You will be air dropped to the crash site. You will rendezvous with your team and you will rescue any survivors. Due to the activity in the area, you will need to immediately grab the survivors and head to an evac point on the beach. I have a crazy pilot who will be coming in to get your squad and the survivors out before the Doranian heavies get to you. You wanted to see some action, well son, action is what you’re gonna get. Good luck soldier.

-Sgt. “Stomp Ass” Malrail

From: LCpl "Smaug" Ilvain

To: Sgt. "Stomp Ass" Malrail

Message:

How much training do these new boots need Sarge? Honestly!? When you pulled me off the line to square these boneheads away I was a little bitter, but since that time, I have become enraged. I heard from Ankle Bite that the entire squad was almost wiped out due to the lack of superior recon/stealth skills! They need me! Please Sarge, I hate begging/whining, but I know that I can do more for our nation in the field, not in the rear with the gear.

When you return from your current mission, please come and talk to me. I need to kill me some Doranians and I know that my fellow Recon devil dogs could use my help.

- LCpl Ilvain

Party Fund

19 Delta Recon Party Fund

Buried:

Herosh Blade (worth $1,000 gold or barter) - 40

Krinto Rifle (worth $1,000 gold or barter) - 55

Buckler - 2

Food & Chulak Gear - A lot

Doranian utensils

shields (buried on 4/27) - 2

Bag of Holding:

Map of area (West/South West of the Three Sisters) - 1

Parchment (Magical contract with the Kobold clans) - 1

Map of the Three Sisters area - 1

Smokey Treats (Pouch) - 1

Alchemical Materials (Pouch) - 1

Doranian Scrolls – Maps with Symbols - 3

* added location of the hemispherical daily recharge room

Metal Box Device (Teleport & Return) - 1

Stack of Doranian parchment

Metal Box Device (Other metal box would fit in it) - 1

Chulak books (Formerly property of Verundis the Wizard) - 4

* Explains how to use the Metal boxes and Gem

Giant freaking magical gem - 1

Lots of Doranian paper

Herosh Blade (worth $1,000 gold or barter) - 15+6

Krinto Rifle (worth $1,000 gold or barter) - 15+13

Strange Magical Pipe

Bag of Kobold Leaf

Veil Staff (from Illusion Tower, with tank)

Chulak Gold Coins - 305

Among the Party:

Magic Staff of Ruin +1 (from Doranian spellcaster, now used by Kib)

Yellow Illusion Crystal

Doranian White Stones - 134

Doranian Red Stones - 58

Doranian Black Stones - 9 remaining (1 given to Eric)

Doranian Blue Stones - 3 remaining (1 given to Eric)

+1 chips cost 20 green stones

+2 chips cost 120 green stones

+3 chips cost 250 green stones

Doranian Green Stones - 59

Gems worth $1,750 gp

??? poker chip (+1 str) - 1 from 5/11

black poker chips (+1 dex) - 2 + 1 from 5/11

red poker chips (+2 dex) - 1

green poker chips (+1 con) - 1

gold poker chips (+2 con) - 1

Hirosh Blades - 17

heavy blades - 24

hirosh light blades - 10

Large sized Short Hirosh Blade - 1

Krinto Rifles - 20

long krinto rifles - 7

Sniper Krinto Rifles - 3

Doranian Tracer rounds - 5

Stone and Crystal Polearms - 2

Stone and Crystal Longswords - 4

Stone and Crystal Bows - 2

Stone and Crystal Daggers - 2

Malrail: "Report soldier!"

Renok: "Aye, Sir. We remain undetected, as always. When we be findin the enemy they are all eliminated, permanent like."

Malrail: "You might think about taking a captive for questioning sometime, pinhead!"

Renok: "We'll try to think about that when were lookin down the barrel o' one o' them durn rifles, Sir."

Malrail: "Roger that. Your priority is to remain undetected until you strike, just remember that. Malrail out."

Dear Diary 2/19/10

Well that was one hell of high, sure made things clearer, but man did it slow down my reaction time. The team is working well together and we did just fine without Jinx. The Doranians are tough though, they pack a lot of punch when they do strike. Kobold killing has been fun, so glad I studied them in A-school instead of the Tracking class, leave that crap to the elves.

Finally got a break from the field, hanging out in Firebase Zulu, this place is bad ass, I can finally get some sleep without worrying about an ambush.

Talked to one of the cargo pilots "Gibson". Looks like I got a new hook up, as long as i keep supplying him with this kind Doranian Bud he will take a minor detour and grab our loot. He also seems to know where we can get the best value for our loot though he never did give me a straight answer on his % take. I will need to talk to the guys and find out if this Gibson character can be trusted. See what they have heard around the base.

Time to get some sleep, sure would be nice if that Gibson could hook us up with some women, Ankle Biters little dog gave me a partial the last time he healed me...a clear sign that I have gone without female relations for far too long.

Klinger

Firebase Zulu

Your squad travelled for roughly a full day to get to Firebase Zulu. As you approach, you see a massive clearing with a fenced in compound. There are six towers around the perimeter of the base each holding two snipers and a spotter. In the center of the compound a large low stone bunker sat just above ground level. On top of the bunker sat a very large Force Orb Gun, or F.O.G. as it is commonly called, resting on a large turret. You can make out Sgt. Malrail and a detachment of four armed soldiers approaching the gate.

“Welcome home boys, it’s good to see you’re alive!”

Malrail stepped aside and let you enter the Firebase. As you walk towards the bunker you can see three Ooraks inbound for a landing.

Malrail turns to your squad, “So let’s have it boys. Where’d these two come from?”

You explain the situation to him and he looks a bit concerned about the news.

“Renok, I need you to take your squad to Parson’s Pass. It’s approximately twelve miles to the northeast of here. We have reliable intel that a large Doranian force is moving towards that pass and heading this way. I’d like 19 Delta to wait near the end of the pass and call in an airstrike as that column of bastards approaches. We can’t hit them in the pass due to the rock formations, so we need your eyes to let us know when they are in the open. Call me the second you see those sons of bitches, and we’ll be there in five minutes. Go ahead and get some R&R, you men deserved it. I’ll worry about keeping these two under wraps until we figure out what’s going on.”

Malrail's wake up call.

“…19 Delta do you copy…19 Delta do you copy…”

Renok wakes up to Malrail’s voice in his ear.

“19 Delta to Malrail, copy,” Renok wipes his face with a damp rag, his mind still foggy from the night’s smoking.

“19 Delta, god damn son, took you long enough! Now listen up. You have a new day and a new mission, so get your shit together! We have intel from one of our sniper teams that there is a Doranian outpost near your position. You will meet the sniper team at Riley’s Ridge. They will guide you to the outpost and then your mission will begin. We want the outpost taken and scoured for any information we can use then call in an airstrike to burn it to the ground. Do you copy that soldier?”

Renok shook his head a few times and responded to the sergeant, “Yes sir. We will contact you when we reach the outpost. Over.”

Renok wakes the rest of the squad up and tells them today’s objective…

Dear Diary 2/10/2010

First mission was a success...somehow...it started out a little messy, on our way to the drop point everyone decided to share there breakfast of choice with me and Sgt Malrail. To top it off as we disembarked from the carrier half the crew landed on their butts...not a good sign.

Luckily Malrail has an eye for talent, our very first encounter proved to me that "Smaug" could be counted on, though he knows more about this mission then the rest of us for some reason, I will have to keep my eye on him.

Jinx made more and more sense as the encounters continued, though why he is in recon and not some heavy infantry unit beats me, this guy has no feel for gorrilla warfare tactics, he just barges right into the fight.

Good thing we have that lil' bastard wizard though, he was able to turn our long encounters into short ones. I definitely have got to toughen up though, the opposition's assassins nearly dropped me twice. Good thing my uncle taught me that nifty Blinding Barrage move, it got me out of hot water and let my team make mince meat out of those blinded assassins.

Well better get some shut eye, holding up in this little outpost we took out, got myself this sweet little hooka, should make for some nice dreams...........

I Need a Cigar

Once upon a time, there was a wizard. This wizard was a master wizard, the head of an arcane society, a friend to the elite, a patron to those beneath him, the best and the brightest of the other wizards. This wizard was wealthy and wise and his guild provided great service to the city. This wizard had a talented wizard for a son who in turn had a daughter who in turn grew into a beautiful young woman and talented wizard herself. Who liked midgets. And halflings. And gnomes. The halfling thing scares me, but I digress. This young woman, upon her 16th birthday, took a fancy to another up and coming wizard. A gnome of such daring and physical prowess, he was irresistible to even the most stalwart of prudes. Wives, daughters, twins, it mattered not for this gnome was a gnome of legend! And once upon a time, on her 16th birthday, this young wizardess got her wish. It was a night of love and passion to which bards can only hope to write about, but never capture themselves. A tribute to the blinding force of ecstasy. A night full of whips, chains, and things only short men can do. She longed for more, begged the gnome for another night, but alas, it was not to be for once upon a time, her grandfather entered her room without knocking and saw her whips and her chains. And the gnome. And the midget clown dolls, but we don't mention those often.

Though it was her 16th birthday, her coming of age day, it was a sad day for the young woman, who would never again have the opportunity to experience the power of gnomish love, but it was an even sadder day for the erstwhile gnome, for the rage and tears of the great wizard were terrible and the odd looks he gave his grandaughter, disturbing. And so, the gnome, himself a member of the mighty wizard's guild, was banished to military service for the rest of his days. A life of deadly forays into the hot jungle, of listless meals, of smoke filled nights, of showers with sweaty men wondering if he was the right height.

What do you mean, you want details? Oh, just the whips and chains part. No, the doll didn't come fully equipped. Hold on. I need a cigar. It's going to be a long night.

On the flight deck...

You gathered your gear from the barracks and headed to the mess hall. Timms sits there in silence, mulling over his gruel and corn bread. You guys can hear the chatter from the regulars. All of them acting like kids at school. These are Chulak defenders. They never go past the wall and you can hear them arguing amongst themselves about how many enemies they’d kill and what they’d take for trophies. You know better. You’re going into the wild. This isn’t a platoon this is a squad, a shorthanded squad at that. Kib was out to have a kid, lucky bastard. Timms mentioned something about some greenhorn coming on with your unit after you’re already deployed in the field. Kib was supposedly bringing him in.

As your group finishes up their grub and gathers their packs, you follow Timms out of the mess to one of the lifts. Off to the flight deck you go your first real Oorak drop. You’ve heard that you will fall into one of two categories, one that gets sick and throws up all over himself or the guy with an iron stomach.

The lift takes your group up the side of the mountain and as it slowly makes its way up, Timms speaks up for the first time since morning roll call.

“Okay, couple things you need to know. Grimlings are small natives. They are not sided with us or the enemy and are considered non-combatants. We cannot attack them unless fired upon. Understood? You’ll know who they are. They look like small black, furry gnomes. Uglier though.”

The lift stops at level two and continues its ascent to your destination. As it goes up you can see into one of the cave openings where the wyrmguard is prepping their flyers to go out. The wyrmguard is one of the advantages Chulak has over the Doranians.

“Lobbers are giant spider-like beasties, very nasty, very annoying in large numbers. We will make sure to stay clear of any nests. That is one fight we will not win. Orders say that while we’re out looking for 1st Alpha, that we keep our eyes and ears open for intel about any Doranian movement there. Our pick-up point will be three miles to the east of the three sisters.”

The lift stops and you exit onto the flight deck. You see several Oorak being prepped for flight. Timms leads you across the cave to your ride.

“I hope you don’t puke on yourselves, this is going to be a bit bumpy.”

Concerning your question...

From: Sgt. "Stomp Ass" Malrail

To: PFC "Smaug" Ilvain

Message:

I understand your concerns Ilvain, but he was good enough to get into recon. I know he's a bit...out there, but of the rogues we have in the entire military, he comes from some of the best in the old world.

There are stories about his great uncle who served in an adventuring party a long time ago. Said he was a crazy s.o.b. but he never let his team down. I see that in Klinger and you should too. Just make sure you both keep your personal feelings for one another out of the field. You're both soldiers and I expect you both to act accordingly and make it home in one piece.

I'll be seeing you, all of you, at the rendezvous. Good luck soldier.

-Sgt. "Stomp Ass" Malrail

The Barracks Meeting

The Barracks Meeting

You enter the small barracks to see a lone figure at the far end. A human male, with a shaved head and dark eyes doesn’t even look up from sharpening his Talenta Sharrash.

“Have a seat gentlemen, Malrail will be here soon for the debriefing.”

He just kept staring at the dark blade as he sharpened it, never lifting his eyes from his work. He looked like he was brooding over the mission with a calm acceptance that he and everyone in that room was not coming back. He looked up as if to say something when the barracks door flies open and Malrail comes walking in. Malrail is a tall elven ranger, and as he enters the room he gives you all a very serious and aggressive look.

Timms stands at attention immediately, “Sergeant on deck!” and salutes.

Before any of you have time to react, Malrail yells, “At ease men! Have a seat and listen up. We have a bitch of a day tomorrow, make no mistake, you’re gonna be in the shit.”

Malrail sits down and looks around at each of you, as if he may not see some or all of you again.

“Tomorrow’s mission is crucial to the survival of this military and the people it protects. 1st Alpha Recon last transmitted their location up by the Three Sisters. We don’t normally go up there, but the council seems to think that there may be Doranian activity up there. 1st Alpha has been MIA for three days. You have two objectives the first is to find out what happened to Alpha. The second is to retrieve any survivors you can, and if possible bring back the dead.”

Malrail scans the room again, looking at all of you.

“Intelligence says that the only living things that are a threat to you up there are kobolds, lobbers and grimlings. The kobold clans don’t much like us, but they won’t attack Chulak and get their asses kicked. The grimlings have a truce with us. They are indigenous to Zardune and do not pose a threat unless we come within one hundred feet of their central home. Timms will explain that later. Lastly, lobbers are by far more annoying than anything else, but dangerous in large numbers. Again, Timms will explain these to you as well. You will be leaving by Oorak at o’ five hundred. Meet Timms on flight deck three, by o’ four thirty. He’ll give you more of the specifics then. Sleep fast gentlemen…” as he says this he stands up, “…Tomorrow is going to be one hellish mother fucker. You’ll need everything you got. Carry on.”

With a half salute, he starts walking out and pauses, then turns towards the group.

“Ilvain, I need to speak with you outside.”

Malrail leaves and Ilvain follows him out.

Timms pipes up now, “Okay guys grab a bunk and get some shut eye. It’s gonna be a long day.”

Timms gets to a bunk and goes to bed, Ilvain returns and you all go to sleep. Your dreams are scattered and varied and you wake up throughout the night. Restless and waiting for battle, you wake up to Timms waking you up.

“Time to go soldier.”

One last question..

From: PFC "Smaug" Ilvain

To: Sgt. Malrail - Unit Leader

Message:

Klinger. Klinger? I understand that we are short on recruits to send into the wild, but Klinger?

Of course I will give 100% to my fellow comrades in the field, but let's just hope that he leaves his dresses in the squad bay. I would hate for any of us to die because he tripped on his tutu while sneaking past an enemy patrol.

I look forward to our debriefing tomorrow Sgt.

- PFC Ilvain

Dear Diary 2/8/10

Well we head out tomorrow for our first mission, good thing to, were going to end up killing each other if they don't put an enemy in front of us. Of course the news just keeps getting better, our squad is going into combat for the first time and our ever so wise leadership gives one of the guys personal leave cuz his wife is having a baby....at least we have a couple of healers with our squad...

...I can't beleive they are sending out Smaug into real time battle, some guys are just meant to train and others are meant for war, I hope he is the latter, he was a great trainer, definitely knew what he was talking about, but he had better not freeze up when we get out there. My great uncle "Stryker" always said hesistation will get you killed as a rogue.

Death will be out there tomorrow, hopefully I'll be too busy to meet him.

Into the Wild

To: PFC "Smaug" Ilvain

From: Sgt. "Stomp Ass" Malrail

Message:

Ilvain, your patience has paid off. You are one of the more experienced and "aged" troops we have. Please understand, it was not my intention to hold you back. The High Council deemed it necessary at the time. However, times are changing and you are the only one I can trust with this new squad. This is also the last recon squad we'll have for a very long time. I know you've heard rumors about some of the other recon squads, they are just that, rumors. We've lost good soldiers out there. Now let's just hope we can keep them alive.

Cpl. Timms will be leading the squad into the Wild for their first taste of combat. Guide them as best you can. Good luck soldier, remember your training and you should make it back in one piece.

-Sgt. "Stomp Ass" Malrail

Ready to go!

From: PFC "Smaug" Ilvain

To: Sgt. Malrail - Unit Leader

Message:

I am very excited that you have pulled me from the mundane task of training the never ending stream of 'boots' that come through our doors. I have long desired to partake in the front line action. My years of experience will finally be put to the test. No more simulations. No more babysitting the weak.

Let's just hope that this new group of untested recruits do not fail. I would hate to be killed on my first venture into the wilds.

- PFC Ilvain

Scraping the bottom of the barrel...

From: High Council

To: Sgt. Malrail - Unit Leader

Message:

Malrail, your request for more recon scouts has been denied. Our current front line numbers need to stay up and there just aren't enough viable candidates to fill the spots you have open. You will have to make due with what you have. Your requisition for replacement equipment has also been denied. No need to give your new troops anything better than the standard issue gear if they are going to end up dead anyways. Cpl. Timms will only stay with your new squad for their first mission, after that he will be reassigned. We're running short on healers Malrail, you know we need them at the front lines. Let's just pray that something changes.

-Jilnarth - High Council

Dear Diary 1/18/2010

Just received our orders from Sgt "pompas" Malrail.

Another suicide mission of course, can't wait for this war to end. I'm not even sure who the bad guys are anymore, I've seen our own men do horrible acts, hell i've seen myself do questionable acts. I guess that's just the way it is during war. Can't believe we got some cursed medic assigned to our team. Funny though, the only thing i can think of when I see him is"Jinx buy me a coke"

Klinger

Renok, Dwarf Shaman level 1

Some choose their destiny, others have it chosen for them.

Renok was rough and tumble as a shortbeard, only finding peace prospecting for ore in the deep tunnels or mountain passes. It was while prospecting that he came upon an unusual badger, one inhabited by a powerful Primal spirit. The spirit left the badger's body and bonded to Renok's soul. Over the years it taught him the ways of the spirit world, little by little, because he was raw and undisciplined. It taught him about nature, both flora and fauna, the earth and the sky. Renok learned concentration and self-control, and with this discipline came the ability to tap into the power of the Spirit world.

When his time for mandatory military service came it didn't take long for him to get selected for Recon, as a medic.

Orders

Your squad has been assigned a combat medic. Lance Corporal Timms is your guide and temporary leader for your first venture into the wild. His call sign is "Lucky." He earned this after being the only survivor of the last two squads he served in. He's known as "Jinx" in some circles and you lucky bastards get to have him on your team. Remember to keep your eyes open and your weapons at the ready. Good luck soldiers.

- Sgt. "Stomp Ass" Malrail