Lost City DM |
Zynazyr wrote:"Ana, get someone in here. I have an idea," Zynazyr says quietly. Once more of the group have entered the room and have been briefed on the situation, Zynazyr tries to move the blanket using a cantrip. His nervousness of what he might find, causes the spell to fail.FYI you can keep trying until you succeed; each attempt takes 1 round, so if you are not in combat it means you can basically just do it (much like 'taking 20').
Now that the others have returned, Zynazyr attempts a cantrip again to move the blanket aside.
Cantrip: 1d6 ⇒ 3
The blanket folds up on top of the bed, and coming from under the bed there is a shout and a flash of movement.
Ana: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 = 9
Fistep: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
Montague: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 1 = 8
Zynazyr: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9
Goblin: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6
Initiative:
Assuming combat occurs, the goblin will go last. Ferrous and Talikshim are in the next room and won't be able to participate until round 2.
Smelldox the Mighty NPC |
"Gaaahhh!" The shout rings out from under the bed as a green-skinned figure becomes visible. It scabbers frantically at the floor and emerges from the end of the bed. It is the Goblin in the hat; presumably he has been hiding under the bed for hours.
"Stay Back!" He shouts, making a strange gesture towards you. "I am a powerful wizard! Any who lay hands on me will be cursed!"
The goblin begins edging his way towards the door to the west.
Zynazyr |
Zynazyr watches the goblin scramble from under the bed and chuckles. "Probably what I would have done too." Mustering up his most confident voice, he says "If you were such a powerful wizard, you wouldn't have been hiding from us all this time. Stay where you are and don't try anything and maybe we will let you live."
He then makes a few gestures himself as he tries to cast a cantrip to close the western door but is unable to.
Cantrip: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Taklishim Nantan |
Taklishim seeing the goblin calls out to him....
In goblin
"Mighty wizard! Should our tribes hunt together?"
In common to everyone
"I have spoken to these before in the wilderness. They are tricky and violent."
Ferrous Grimgond |
Hearing shouts from the adjoining room as soon as Ferrous is down scooping the treasure into his large sack he runs towards the other room, dropping his sack outside the bars and drawing his axe once again. He just manages to get through the door into the next room and sees the goblin in the pointy hat. He bellows out a challenge. Die ye dog of chaos and filth. Come meet my steel.
Smelldox the Mighty NPC |
Upon hearing the dwarven shouts from the next room, the goblin wizard looks at Fistep, who is blocking the door.
"Step aside, and I will give you this magic stone!"
He produces a sparkling pebble not unlike the ones found on two of the dead goblins.
"It has great power. Make you immune to fear and sickness and other bad things. Give you good luck instead." He smiles nervously.
Smelldox the Mighty NPC |
Montague and Ana look on, surprised by the presence of the Goblin.
The goblin leerily casts aside his dagger and the shiny stone. He edges into the corner away from Ferrous.
"There's my stuff! But I not lie down! Everyone knows that dwarves chop goblin heads off that way!"
He looks angrily at the group (aside from Ferrous, with whom he avoids eye contact).
"If you hurt me my tribe will be very angry! King Hargpthuu is the king of all around and he will take revenge on you if you harm his mighty wizard!"
Dice: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
Anastoria isn't quite sure where but thinks that the goblin has more magic on his person.
Lost City DM |
By this time we have not initiated combat so Talikshim is now at the door. We don't have to worry about initiative unless someone attacks.
Taklishim Nantan |
Tak walks to the door.....having not yet seen the goblin bodies in the store room
"Apologies all the honey is beyond....oh my the green woods man!....careful."
In goblin....
"Do not try anything nasty liar man, I know your peoples ways."
Lost City DM |
For the record, the goblin is speaking in the common tongue.
Ferrous Grimgond |
Ferrous strides into the room hand on his axe. He keeps lifting and smacking the haft into the palm of his shield hand. He laughs when the goblin mentions dwarves cutting off goblin heads by along them lie down. Dwarves kill you little buggers because we know if we don't we end up with a dagger in the back. and to the rest of the group. Are we seriously going to let him go free? And face it we can't exactly take him prisoner. We already have too many mouths to feed. and then back to the goblin with the pointy hat. Green thing you know a source of water around here? Really it's the only way I can see you live
Smelldox the Mighty NPC |
In goblin....
"Do not try anything nasty liar man, I know your peoples ways."
The goblin goggles at a human speaking his own language.
"Oh, no, I never do anything nasty! I am good very good and want peace for everyone! No lies - wizards never lie!"
Green thing you know a source of water around here? Really it's the only way I can see you live
The goblin smiles nervously.
"Oh, yes, mighty dwarf! In the temple of King Hargpthuu there are fountains with clean water pouring out. It is several levels down. King Hargpthuu is generous to his friends! Perhaps I can arrange an audience? You will have no need to eat me if King Hargpthuu is your friend - as he surely will be if I put in a good word for you. He will throw a great feast for you! You will see! Let me take you there now!"
The goblin points to the door currently blocked by Fistep.
Fistep |
Maintains his position blocking the door as he listens to the babbling of the goblin. He looks at the rest of his companions but nods to the dwarf, "Aye he can't go free, thats for sure and we can't trust him. But then again, killing him would reduce any leverage we may have if there is such as creature as King Hargpthuu."
He stares hard at the goblin, "Your magic won't save you now" he says as he points to the dwarf, "Dwarf is barely being held back from slaying you, so I suggest you speak what you know of the environs around here, a map would be useful to draw out. Do it quickly."
Ferrous Grimgond |
Ferrous hears the elf casual state the obvious that the ugly creature was lying. Stupid Gobby trying to lie to us. Ferrous laughs viciously as closes the gap between him and the goblin. Wizards never lie. Bah! Good one except which just caught you in a lie. Hand over all your magical items now. Ferrous lifts his axe menacingly and continues And just how many levels down is this so-called King Hargpthuu? Lie again and yer dead.
Smelldox the Mighty NPC |
The Goblin Wizard rubbernecks as multiple people start talking. He begins to sweat profusely.
"...killing him would reduce any leverage we may have if there is such as creature as King Hargpthuu."
"Yes, of course there is King Hargpthuu! And if you like I will tell him you rescued me from scary monsters! He will give you great reward!"
"...I suggest you speak what you know of the environs around here..."
The goblin shrugs. "Most of this pyramid is empty, just creatures wandering around and trying to eat things. Have to be careful when looking in rooms. Crazy humans built it long time ago - there's a few crazy humans left wandering around, especially down below. Their high priest is friend of King Hargpthuu, and gives King Hargpthuu many gifts for his friendship."
"I told you forest one, your ways are known to my people, a feast of our honor and our selves, murderous are your ways."
The goblin blinks a few times. "What?" he responds, intelligently.
"It is hiding something," Ana says, almost casually. "There is something else magical on its person."
The goblin yells and throws his hat on the ground. "Aaaarghhh! You will strip me of all my hard earned treasures!" The goblin pulls out two more of the sparkly pebbles from a pouch and throws them on the floor. "Magic stones take forever to make! Need gargoyle blood and spectral snake venom... very hard!"
1d3 ⇒ 21d20 ⇒ 81d20 ⇒ 11
Stupid Gobby trying to lie to us.
"No, no, no lies!" the goblin blurts nervously. "I am very honest! Most honest goblin there is!" The goblin gives you a big grin, and stoops down to retrieve his hat.
And just how many levels down is this so-called King Hargpthuu? Lie again and yer dead.
"Three. Easy to find, just go straight down," the goblin nods.
Ferrous Grimgond |
And what do this pebbles do exactly? Ferrous sneers at the goblin. I agree Montague it's time to move on one way or the other. He has complied with my wishes and it may be that he can put in a good word for us with the King. But its more likely that he will betray us along the way, or even when we arrive at his home. Maybe we can send him up to the others and they can watch him? Ferrous looks at the faces of the members of his party gauging their thoughts.
Zynazyr |
Zynazyr looks puzzles when the goblin mentions gargoyle blood then laughs at his comment about being honest. "Well, you may be the most honest goblin, but that may not be saying much. I've never heard of a gargoyle having blood, so I imagine it is difficult to get," he says with a smile.
Turning to the others, "I don't think we can trust him. He'll do what ever he can to save himself and will probably betray us at every chance. While another mouth to feed is not ideal, I think he's of more use to us as a hostage. We can either put him in the cell and hope he can't unlock it, or we take him upstairs."
Lost City DM |
Turning to the others, "We can either put him in the cell and hope he can't unlock it, ...."
An interesting proposition, since you know there are still some bees in the hive... :)
Smelldox the Mighty NPC |
"This one is smarter than many of his peoples, but I know not if that bodes ill or well for us....why wise goblin should we let you live?.....and why should we kill you?"
The goblin holds up his hands in supplication. "Why should you kill me? No, no, no reason at all! No reason to kill peaceful, helpful, harmless good goblin wizard!"
"It is good to let me live!" The goblin begins gesticulating wildly. "Yes, many rewards from King Harpthuu! Maybe even let you join goblin tribe! Perhaps I can teach you spell of eye-blinding power! Not today, tomorrow maybe can teach... but also many traps of death in the pyramid! I am only one who knows how to get past them... like rolling ball of death! Very scary! You never survive without help from me, Smelldox, mighty wizard! My magic will protect you! Also, terrible curses happen if Smelldox dies. Very bad. Not my fault though! Can't help it... because of my magic! No, no, good to let Smelldox live."
"Let me take you to King Hargpthuu now! We should not wait... he has afternoon nap soon. Not good to wake him in afternoon nap. No, no, very bad." He nods gravely, then points to the door again.
Ferrous Grimgond |
Ferrous laughs as the goblin keeps referring to himself as a mighty wizard and replies Aye the Mighty and I be Ferrous the Flatulent. Turning to the group. Any one bring rope or manacles something to tie him up? If he can get us through traps he lives as soon as he leads us into a trap. Ferrous turns his gaze to the goblin with a menacing sneer and through gritted teeth he finishes He dies. After suggesting the they keep the goblin prisoner Ferrous spits on the ground and grinds it with his booted heel.
Taklishim Nantan |
"Let us sit and talk of magic then...I do not believe you have such learning, but help us to pass beyond your people and I shall attempt to teach you real magic."
"First what is your name?....I am called Taklishim the grey man by my people. "
Anastoria |
"Whatever we are going to do with it, let us be done. Kill it or release it, though the latter seems unwise to me." Ana demands impatiently.
Smelldox the Mighty NPC |
Ferrous laughs as the goblin keeps referring to himself as a mighty wizard and replies Aye the Mighty and I be Ferrous the Flatulent.
Laughing but not getting the joke, the goblin responds, "Greetings Ferrous the Flatulent! I am Smelldox the Mighty! Great friend to dwarves and other weird surface races."
Any one bring rope or manacles something to tie him up? If he can get us through traps he lives as soon as he leads us into a trap... He dies.
Smelldox is clearly unsettled by the idea of being restrained. "No need to tie me; then I cannot use my magic to protect you! Very bad to tie hands of wizard. And I never lead you into trap. I protect you from them, I promise!"
"I do not believe you have such learning..."
Smelldox crosses his arms, insulted. "Hmph. Ask her," he says, pointing at Anastoria. "I used eye blinding power on her! Heh heh."
He then looks at Ana guiltily. "But I didn't mean it that way. You were attacking my friends... I didn't realize what nice people you were at the time! And they weren't my friends really, I would never want revenge for those ones. They were not very nice goblins, actually. Good that they are dead."
"First what is your name?....I am called Taklishim the grey man by my people. "
Smelldox smiles. "Hello, Taklishim the grey man by my people! It is good to meet you and be your friend. We will speak of much magic together! Though..." Smelldox looks Talikshim up and down, noting his primitive dress. "... I might have to teach you to read first. Need to be able to read and write for magic."
The dwarf calls out to the shaman before spitting on the ground again.
"No, no, I am not Hargpthuu! Hargpthuu is king of... oh wait, you were just spitting."
Lost City DM |
Okay guys, unless you have any more specific questions for Smelldox it is time to come to a consensus on what action you want to take:
#1 - kill Smelldox
#2 - imprison him and turn him over to the NPCs upstairs
#3 - imprison him in the cell with the hive
#4 - tie him up and take him with you
#5 - allow him to lead you without restraints
#6 - set him free
#7 - something else we haven't suggested yet
I don't think anyone supports #5 or #6 but it is up to you.
You can do this in or out of character.
The entire party is Neutral except for Montague who is Chaotic, so there are no alignment issues with any particular course of action.
Anastoria |
"I say it dies. Why waste our food and water on it, and if we leave it with the others, we have no promise that it will not escape and warn its king."
Lost City DM |
Walks up behind him and knocks him over the head with the pommel of his sword. "He bored me."
Okay, since Smelldox is still conscious and able to defend himself, and has his back to the corner of the room, you will need to make an attack roll. This counts as a surprise attack. If the goblin is still conscious afterwards and wants to try to fight, this will initiate combat.
If you are trying to knock him out, there is a -2 penalty to your roll (but he is not wearing armor so you still have a very good chance to hit). The sword will do 1d4 damage if used as a blunt instrument but STR bonuses are unmodified.
If I don't get a roll from you within 24 hours I'll go ahead and roll for you.
WhtKnt |
Forgive the delay; had a family member go into the hospital today with probable heart failure. Need to see to her.
Zynazyr |
Zynazyr is a little shocked by the sudden attack. "Careful, he can't tell us much if he's unconscious and even less if he's dead," he says to his companion.
Lost City DM |
Fistep wrote:Walks up behind him and knocks him over the head with the pommel of his sword. "He bored me."If I don't get a roll from you within 24 hours I'll go ahead and roll for you.
Okay, going ahead with Fistep's attack:
Thaco 16 +2 for nonlethal: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (19) = -11d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Almost a crit and max damage...
Fistep conks Smelldox on the head and he drops like a sack of potatoes.
The party makes sure to tie him up securely.
I am just assuming this to move ahead. Who has rope that they want to use for this?
Lost City DM |
2:40 PM, Day 1
Once the potential threat is removed, the party searches the rooms (the bedroom and the jail) which had not yet been searched.
The party finds no secret doors or traps.
A search of the goblin reveals a pouch with a semi-precious stone worth 20 gp and 16 silver pieces. He is wearing a copper ring in the shape of a serpent biting its tail. There is also a small vial of liquid in the pouch.
It is a fluid known as Oil of Glamour:
Oil of glamour - this magical oil can be applied to an object to make that object appear magical. The object will sparkle and glint in the light and it will be obvious to anyone viewing the object that there is something special about it. However, this effect is an illusion and the object functions as a perfectly normal object. The illusion will last until dispelled, or until the object is washed with holy water or the blood of a magical creature, or until the object is placed in a fire. A vial will contain 2-12 doses. 1 dose is enough to coat a small object like a dagger; two doses will coat a short sword; three will coat a normal sword, four will coat a two-handed sword, and five will coat a suit of armor.
Elves use sometimes use this oil decoratively. The vial contains three doses.
After some examination you realize that the "magic stones" are just ordinary pebbles that have been treated with this oil.
When listening at the far door of the jail cell, Ana and Talikshim think they can hear talking in low voices. You can't tell very much but you think the voices are deep enough that they are probably male.
Anastoria |
Ana examines the vial carefully, only half listening to Taklishim. "Hmmm? Oh, yes. Low voices, definitely males. At least two." She consider the vial for a few moments more, then announces, "This mystical oil will impart an illusion of enchantment to objects to which it is applied. The stones that the goblin was carrying have been anointed with this oil, which is why I believed them to be magical."
Lost City DM |
"So he is not a wizard then, eh?" asks as he listens to Ana. He then moves over into the other room. "Ferrous wanna go have some fun?"
Remember: you did see him cast a spell, which blinded Ana for a couple hours.