Castle Caldwell and Beyond: (A 5e Campaign) - The Wrecking Crew (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

"Don't you think that's a little harsh, Ayita?" Perry asks, approaching and reaching his hand back toward his pack. Pausing for an instant, he then returns his arms to his sides and adds, "After all, he's not much of a threat all by himself, is he?"

Deception: Hiding that he forgot rope, waiting for someone else to do the tying: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"I'm surprised you would think I'm being harsh when they almost killed you. You may think me naive but all the tales of my people depict goblins as vile baby eating embodiments of evil. And I trust them more than I trust this thing. Besides, I did not call for its death, just for us to be wary."

Her sword remains up.

My rope is still tied to the tower roof.

Magnus kneels next to body of the goblin he killed. Dipping his thumb into its blood, he draws a crimson mark on his forehead before bowing his head.

"Your flesh and bones provided a whetstone upon which I have sharpened my steel, and for that I am grateful," he says, before wiping his sword clean on the goblin's rags and returning the blade to its sheath. The blond warrior winces as he rises to his feet, gingerly inspecting the arrow wounds in his side. "I could have done without the bloodletting, though."

If we have time for a short rest, I'd like to spend a hit die to heal.
Healing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Aye, Ayita. Tis a bit harsh. We are merely soldiers standing in opposition of each other. He bends to tie the hands of the goblin. Understand, this is for your safety, little one. He says to the goblin glancing at Ayita.

Victor enters the room and stalks up to the Goblin, [b]"You speak common quite well, tell me do you count as well as you speak? If so, how many of your brethren are nearby? Ayita here seems poorly disposed towards you so you will want to make sure you are accurate in that count..."[b]

Intimidation1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

That went well...

Any other folk like you here ? Histoff asks.
and adding another question.
What did you do here ?

Using more friendly approach than Victor.
Persuasion: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Ayita stares incredulously as her party members attempt to humanize an aberration but she takes no steps to hamper their efforts.

After the goblin is tied, Klodd lowers his crossbow, and spits to the side, keeping an eye on things. Seems others are handling the questioning... for now.

Perry listens to what the goblin might have to say in response to Lijan's questions.

Day 1, Wednesday approximate time of day, 1:50 pm (turn 84). Location: Caldwell Castle, Harrispania. The party has entered the East Gatehouse tower, the lighting is Dim Light, Perry has cast a Light Spell on a rock (duration 6 turns, turn 84).

The goblin looks terrified, but offers his hands without resistance to Sigil’s efforts to tie them together.

When Victor asks about other goblin’s the prisoner, shrugs, and says, I think there were a two others, from the Boulder Creek tribe wandering all in around, but I don’t see any more than that.

When Lijan adds another round of questions, he looks first at Magnus, then back at Lijan, and says, I didn’t know. We just came here last night. We found a small treasure, of old Alodoan coins, in the tower next door, looking for wolf pups to steal, and we are counting it to spilt up, when three of the Boulder Creek tribe came in and tried to claim the treasure for themselves. We were just about to fight them for it, when we heard someone busting down a door. We hid, ready to attack. That’s when you all in and around the place and we had to fight you for our treasure. You can take it now, but if you let me live I’ll tell you a secret.

"Sounds fair to me, little goblin," Perry says. "Oh, and what was your name? I'm Perry."

Histoff Histoff says.

You had to know mentioning wolf puppies would set Ayita off. =)

Ayita's face is seething beet red. "See how the green devil shows no remorse for his fallen comrades. He is cold-hearted evil to the core! And he admits to stealing baby wolf pups! No doubt they force the pups into servitude and eat the runts. If I find out that any wolf pups were hurt by goblin actions, you'll have to hold me back from beating this filth to a pulp!"

Perception (Sense Motive): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Is there another doorway leading out of this room? If so, Victor will inspect to see if it can be made defensible this night.

There is a door to the northeast. Ayita was standing in front of it in case the goblin ran.

Thanks Ayita. Victor will look around the room to see if there is enough furniture and other heavy items to barricade the door with.

Day 1, Wednesday approximate time of day, 1:50 pm (turn 84). Location: Caldwell Castle, Harrispania. The party has entered the East Gatehouse tower, the lighting is Dim Light, Perry has cast a Light Spell on a rock (duration 6 turns, turn 84).

The Goblin laughs uproariously when Histoff tells Perry his name. Then when he catches Magnus’ glare, he gulps hard, opens his mouth o answer, and then before he can speak, Ayita lets out a tirade of accusations.

Ignoring the situation for the moment, Victor begins selecting from the debris in the room, taking the longer, larger, and heavier pieces of wood left over from broken beds, and tables, and begins wedging the pieces into the wall at the door in the northeast corner of the room.

When Ayita is through, the goblin, looks up at Perry, and says.

I am called, Haabit. Look, look here, he cautiously leads Perry toward a small piece of sack cloth on the floor near a broken chair, and he drags the cloth away to reveal a pile of silver and copper coins, and a single green emerald, cut in an oblong square shape. Take the treasure, its yours you earned it, but let me go and I will tell you a secret. You have to keep your word. Promise to let me go.

Victor leaves the negotiations to the characters that have proved they are more adept at it than he. Victor continues to barricade the door and when he is done leaves enough room to view the other space and fire arrows if necessary.

He takes up residence in that space with his bow taut and his quiver of arrows at the ready in case some curious band wants to come investigate this racket.

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Victor keeps his eyes on the courtyard but stays silent as he can see little in the dim light.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
INT: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

"Alright, Haabit," Perry says back to the goblin. "We'll let you go in exchange for the secret. But," Perry pauses emphatically, giving Haabit a dark look, "You have to promise not to make us regret it. No vengeance, no setting us up to get killed by someone else, no sneaking in to steal this right back. Okay, Haabit? Just a straight trade: you tell us your secret, and then you go away and we never try to hurt each other again. Deal?"

Persuasion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Ick, gonna burn my Inspiration on that.
Persuasion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Histoff smiles at the goblin when the laughing happens.

When perry tries to presuade the goblin
Histoff takes the dagger and shouts at the goblin unimaginavle things that might happen to him if he doesn't tell the truth.
intamidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

on a trip with a smartphone and onlu 3 % left so sorry if I miss aa post might not have internet.... didnt post at discussion because now its 2% gulp

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Intelligence: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Ayita sees the goblin nodding at her words and is further angered.

"If we let him go, I'm going to personally watch until he is out of the castle and out of sight. If he even thinks about returning, I'll shoot him."

Sigil will wait, silently.

Magnus watches with a small smile as Ayita rails against the goblin.

"Yes, little wicked one, run and do not look back," he says, rising to his full height. "And be sure to spread the tale of your defeat and brush with death to all who can hear. Let them know what awaits those who oppose us."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

How many copper and silver coins were there along with the emerald?

At first glance, there looks like there are too many coins to count quickly

If the party takes a short rest, about an hour, you can count the coins, and then you will know that there are 3,000 cp, and 4,000 sp and all of these coins were minted in Alodoa. Also, searching the goblins bodies reveals that they each carry a small belt pouch, containing polished and worthless rocks, bits of bone (game dice and other trinkets). Each pouch also holds a few strange coins. These coins are not silver, copper, or even gold, but a hard dull silver colored metal that may be an alloy of copper and some other metal. They bear a stamp from the City States of Tarulle, and there are, in total, 26 of these coins. Each goblin also had a long knife, a hand weapon, either a short sword or hand axe, and there are three Short Bows with 28 arrows

If memory serves, at least one person was wanting a short rest anyway for the sake of healing. I'm fine with it.

If it's possible Niall goes about unhitching his donkey and bringing her inside.

" Should we set this room up as a camp? A sort of defensible fall back point? "

"Yes. Someone should bring the Donkey in. Unload the wagon and remove it's wheels and bring those in so no one steals it while we explore. That staircase is about to collapse so don't trust it. We need to barricade the door you all kicked in. We should have at least thee on watch this night. Tomorrow we can expand the territory we hold here. At least, that is what I would do..." Victor maintains his vigil by the inside door as he speaks longbow in hand.

He looks up and sees the Donkey nodding in approval.

"I agree this is a suitable location. The guard tower gives a good view over the entire courtyard. However we still need to rid ourselves of this goblin scum first." She moves up to the goblin and pokes it lightly with her sword. "Time for you to go. Now!"

Klodd watches the events hold without comment. He then takes a breath, and clears his throat before speaking.

"Probably we should find somewhere safe to stash the loot until we have time to take it somewhere safe. We can discuss that after the Gob's made his escape. I need to say my prayers by the mornings light, so I'll take last watch if that's acceptable".

Klodd then looks for a comfortable spot to begin his rest. "Did anyone notice that it smells like Ass in here"? He then double over laughing at his own poor joke.

Hmm, yes. Well we did grant the goblin a parlay. Perhaps we send him away from the keep NEVER to return. Yes? He looks at the goblin.

intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

didn't the goblin have a secret it was going to tell? Or did I miss that?

" Sounds good. "

Niall starts unloading the wagon and bringing things in.

Perception : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

He looks about the courtyard for danger or movement as he works.

The goblin claims to have a secret. Ayita doesn't really care what lies the goblin might try to tell.

Did we leave a rope to get back to the top of the stairs? I still have the rope left to get to the roof. If not, Ayita can take the roundabout route and climb back into the window from the outside. It worked the first time.

Also, since it seems we are resting now, way back when, Ayita rolled a 20 to forage for food before arriving at the castle. I'm going to assume she caught a rabbit or something unless DM says otherwise.

Yep rope still tied off.

Day 1, Wednesday approximate time of day, 2:50 pm (turn 90). Location: Caldwell Castle, Harrispania. The party has entered the East Barracks, the lighting is Dim Light

Once the Goblin has been assured he will be released he tells the following secret.

Okay, listen I’ll only tell you this once, and then I will never return to this place. I swear. One of the goblins you killed was new to our gang. He ran away from a place in the hills to the south, a stronghold controlled by a human wizard, named Oliver. This one the goblin points at one of the goblins who had been using a short bow, said that Oliver hired hobgoblins and lizardmen to kidnap a human girl who was the daughter of one of the kings of Tarulle. The Hobgoblins and Lizardmen were mean to the goblins who worked for Oliver, and he ran away from the stronghold while the hobgoblins and lizardmen were away kidnapping the girl. Now, he said the stronghold was in a hill and the entrance was hidden inside the trunk of a dead oak tree at the bottom of the hill. I don’t know where this hill is, but it can’t be more than a day’s walk south of here. Oliver is very power, that goblin said, and I bet he has a lot of treasure in his stronghold

The goblin doesn’t know anything else

The party spends time in this area, moving the broken pieces of furniture into the dark corner of the room (the southwest corner) and using the largest pieces to barricade the door in the northeast corner. The treasure is counted (all of the coins will fit in a Small Sack, that is at least 1 cubic foot in size, does anyone have any sacks?). The Goblin bodies should be moved somewhere?

Once the area is cleared enough to make a ten foot by ten foot "camp" Ayita breaks out the berries, and wild turnips she collected as the group was approaching the castle. She even has a fat rabbit, to clean and cook is she is so inclined. A small chimney and fire place built into the stonework of the east wall is found once all the debris is moved to one corner of the room.

It is possible to place the kicked down door back in the hole it came from and park the wagon in front of it, on the outside, to keep people out of the tower, but you cannot use the short rest time to remove the wheels (that would be too strenuous, so if you want to do that I will add another two turns to the clock). The donkey will be comfortable in the floor room of the tower, there is enough light coming in from the windows of the second floor, if the door there is left open, as it was.

There is a rope, and grappling hook that allows access to the second tower floor, at the top of the broken stairs and another rope from the second tower floor to the roof of the tower.

For an experience point bonus - all of the characters can chip in to reinforce the stairs using the wood from the broken furniture. This will require "Carpenter's Tools," and if everyone agrees to help, as long as you have the tools, success is automatic. It will take six turns, and each character will receive 50 experience points.

This room, the old Barracks, has Dim Light, from holes in the ceiling in the southeast corner.

It takes ten minutes, one turn, to remove the barricades so that you can leave the barracks and explore the rest of the castle.

Magnus recovers 5 hit points, by using his one available hit die after the short rest.

Are you ready to move on? If you are, maybe you should elect a leader who will decide where to explore next.

"The goblin is most likely lying but if a princess was captured we cannot afford to ignore it even if it is a trap. When we report back to the Solution Society we should let them know and I'll perhaps that should be our next destination."

Once the goblin is gone, Ayita fixes up a small meal for the party. She says a quick prayer over the food before handing it out.
In Elvish, "Thank you Mielikki for providing us with this bounty. You honor us with your blessing and we respect the life that gives us sustenance."

"This may not be what you are used to, but it should be tastier than rations."

Afterwards if there is still time before we move out again, Ayita will climb to the tower roof to watch over the courtyard.

I'm using my inspiration to keep us safe.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

She has no carpenter's tools to help with reinforcing the door.

I considered carpenter's tools but did not pick them up. Ah well. If someone has the tools, Victor would chip in.

Perry accepts the food, "Give your Goddess my thanks as well Ayita, you are right, beats rations for sure. This is without question the worst Inn I have ever stayed at despite the fine meal..."

"Someone has to be elected to make decisions amongst us. From what I have seen, Perry seems level headed and well liked by us all, I would nominate him", Victor states from his post by the barricaded doorway watching the Courtyard.

"Thank you Victor. Mielikki appreciates your gratitude."
"I do not desire to lead and also think Perry would be a good choice if we need a leader."

Perry swallows and tries to smile. "Th-thanks. I mean, uh, I guess if- er, I'm flattered..." he trails off, looking uncomfortable.

Magnus shrugs as the other talk of nominating a leader. After using a needle and thread to stitch up his own wounds, he begins gathering up the goblin corpses and hauling them to the roof, where he uses scraps of rope and fabric to hang the bodies from the parapet.

"Here big guy. Let me hold that together while you stitch it".

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Medicine

He does leave the corpse hauling to the others however, frowning a bit at the method for disposal. Well now he's strung them up like a deer, wonder if he's going to eat them?

Klodd spits a bit of Rabbit bone out of his mouth, makes to say something, then thinks the better of it, and acknowledges Perry with a grin, grease and berry debris dotting his thick beard.

Victor shakes his head at Magnus' display. "Well its no secret we're here now, if it ever was. Still there is something to be said for intimidation, perhaps our client would like to hire Magnus as an exterior decorator".

Ayita speaks with a frown, "I want it to be known that I strongly disapprove of desecrating the corpses in that manner. Even though goblins are the scum of the earth, Mielikki teaches that no dead should ever be disgraced. For corpses such as these, immolation would be the preferred method of disposal. For more honorable creatures, a proper burial. I assume this display is part of Magnus' religion but to me it seems down right barbaric. However I also still realize that I am an elf in human lands and am doing my best to stomach some of your strange customs."

"They may have been foul creatures, but they died fighting. They should be set out for the crows, so their spirits can fly closer to the gods," Magnus says, as if used to such questions. "Perhaps in the next life they will return in more honorable form. For now, it is better to the feed the birds than the worms. Burning them serves no purpose, unless that rabbit did not provide enough to fill your belly."

Victor looks thoughtful at Magnus' explanation, "You followers of the Gods have many varied ways to honor the dead. Do you believe that we will all live multiple lives Magnus?"

"I'd gladly trade more information on our religious differences at some point, Magnus. Followers of Mielikki typically burn evil creatures to prevent her children from feasting on foul flesh. If Vodhan's crows feasting on goblins serves a purpose, I will honor your religious beliefs. Stringing the corpses from the battlements just seems needlessly gruesome though. At least it will keep the bodies out of reach of the wolves."

"I am never going to a church potluck with Magnus."

no carpenters tools here either.