17th Sypheros by Pazenga the githzerai

The follwing is a narrative written by my friend and comrade Pazenga the githzerai martial artist. I requested that he pen his experiences escorting Kaitlin to the Deneith Blademarks and that is what follows.

-Dinnivan d'Sivis

We decided to split up the group because, I, Pazenga felt the woman would never make it on her own. It was decided that with my running ability I could catch back up with the group in 3 to 4 days time. We set out and the woman was still not comfortable riding with me on the wagon.

For the first few hours we did not see anything and I thought I saw a couple of patrols off in the distance but they never came after us being only a single wagon or thinking I was one of them. We met a small patrol on the road of 5 hobgoblins. The lady pulled up the wagon a 100 feet before them. I got out and walk to the front. The lead hobgoblin called out a challenge and the other four knelt down behind him. I was thinking this was a trick so I walked slowly up to him. We was waving around his blade probably to look tough and it made me a little concerned. He seemed to let me attack first and the other four stayed on their knees. So, I watched his blade and saw an opening and the fight began. He was light on his feet and his blade moved all around me and he was always on the move. He seemed to be going to my left to get around me so the others could get up and charge me. So, I kept moving to the wagon. I was able to land many punches doing little damage but it was adding up. After a few minutes of that dance he stopped and stepped back. He was saying that I was a worthy opponent and we could pass.

As I walked back to the wagon he knelt down in front of the other four and then they seemed to pray. I got back into the wagon and asked her about losing one of the chest of gold as we passed. But she said we could not because we had the exact amount of money to buy the warriors. The hobgoblins got up and moved away from the road two on one side and two on another. So we drove the wagon between them ready to run away. But just as we got to the point where they knelt a puff of smoke came up and caused the lady and horse to start gagging. They then fired crossbow bolts at us and I pushed the lady down into the wagon floor for cover. They then threw something that hit the wagon and all these metal pieces like insects started buzzing around me being a pain to my ability to fight. Also, it was leaving a taste of that metal we found when we carried it.

I then tumbled out of the wagon to the leader and was able to get in another good hit. He changed style and finally got his first hit on me. I went more on the defense and was not getting in as many hits but he no longer hit me. I finally had to run because the four hobgoblins looked to surround me. The leader chased me but they did not but they did shoot crossbow bolts at me with one hitting me for a minor wound. The leader could match my double and triple speed and I felt I was far enough away to make a final stand again. I stopped and battled him again. Once we started fighting the four hobgoblins went back to the wagon. The leader and I fought hard and fast with him hitting me only one more time and giving me a good cut. But I was able to get in a few hits too. Then he left me an opening for his throat and I was able to put in a good punch right through to his throat it was a killing punch.

I then ran back to the wagon where the hobgoblins were defiling the lady. I was able to take care of these four hobgoblins much easier. Once the battle was over I gave the lady a healing potion to make her better and I took two potions to heal my wounds too.

We decided to move the horse as fast as we could without killing them with both of us driving. We did not see any more patrols that were on the road. A few chased us but could not catch us. We headed where she was headed. Once she was safe I rested and then started back. I kept near the road trying to stay out of sight. I avoided several patrols but only saw hobgoblins and goblin raiders. I was spotted a couple of times and they chased me shooting crossbow bolts at me but I was able to out run them. I did not want to fight them thinking they would surround me and either kill or capture me. I only rested a few times to eat and get a few hours sleep before moving on. Then I caught up with you at the ford here. Other than that it was a nice ride and run in the country side.

-Pazenga