Anklebiter the Insane |
"Too messy," Anklebiter says. "Burn papers, melt gold. Get big, bad Overlord angry. Bad mojo."
Anklebiter the Insane |
"Well, we want to prove we din't do anything wrong, right?" Anklebiter says, grinning at Bruendor. "This time, anyways. The paperwork will be our friend, there. That, and I don't want to burn souls."
Anklebiter the Insane |
"Anklebiter goes, buy scrolls for big push," the Goblin declares. "Pretty girl and strong friend come with, make good deal for Goblin? Today we do shopping..."
The Goblin rises to his full (unimpressive) height, claps his hands together and bares all of his teeth in an expression that has no humour in it whatsoever.
"... and tomorrow we raid. Yes?"
Anklebiter holds out a hand to the others.
Yes, it's one of those 'everyone puts one hand atop the others, then everyone throws up their hands and yells "Go, team!"'-kind of things. :p
Bruendor Cavescouter |
Bruendor clenches his hand and his upper lip curls in disgust. "By the gods, I have truly fallen far." A long moment passes before he places his hand into the pile. "But raiders we be. Let us make Saul pay dearly for his treachery."
Anklebiter the Insane |
"Not fallen," Anklebiter says. "You go up! We raid for justice! Saul make fools of us all. Make us do wrong thing like Goblin chief, or Hobgoblin of Isger, then tries to kill us."
The Goblin gives Bruendor a sober look. "Not know much honour. But what Saul does? Wrong. I know what wrong is. We stop him before he spreads his wrong over even more people. Not let wererats eat more people.
Rise up, us. Not fallen. Falling be over, we... quest for light? That what Dwarf history names it, yes? We quest for light."
Anklebiter turns to Calla. "Elf Priestess join? Bring hands together and rise in shout, we summon our courage and drive sad spirits out! Raiders for Justice!"
Anklebiter is misremembering the famed Dwarves 'Quest for Sky'. Or am I misremembering what the Dwarven exodus out of the Underdark is called...?
Calumny "Calla" Tas'vere |
Calla ostentatiously rolls her eyes, but does put her hand in the pile. "I don't know about the Quest for the Sky, but Saul's actions certainly deserve vengeance, for Larur and who knows how many people he's betrayed. If I am to be the tool of the vengeance, I shall do so with pride."
Anklebiter the Insane |
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Anklebiter launches into a song - a variation on an old Goblin classic:
"Heroes run and heroes fight
Heroes face what goes bump at night
Bash the fiend and burn the troll
Heroes win the day and think it's droll!
Heroes fly and heroes ride
They beat the villain who is snide
Get the gold and learn the lore
Evil, you're done, so say no more!
Chase the bad guys, lock them up
Chains for wrist, rags to shut them up
Villain be cruel and villain be rude
The heroes are here and you are screwed!
Hurrah!"
Anklebiter throws up his hand, grinning as only a Goblin can.
"Hurrah!" he repeats. "Let's do some good!"
Bruendor Cavescouter |
Bruendor can only shake his head at Anklebiter's earnestness, but nods his head as Calla mentions the others Saul has wronged besides themselves. "Saul's treacherous ways end tonight. Let us be off, and end this, once and for all."
Calumny "Calla" Tas'vere |
Once all the preparations are set, Calla will spend a little time blacking her skin to help her blend into the night, and then sets out for the Golden Goblin after sunset. "Try to be a bit quieter this time, if you can," she warns the others.
Anklebiter the Insane |
"Before go, little bit magic talk," Anklebiter says. "Bought healing brews, so if find bottles what not got gold in it, good to drink. Gold one is liquid fire. Be careful."
The Goblin holds up a collection of scrolls, each loosely tied with a coloured string. "Make good attention, magic girls especially," he insists. "In case Goblin goes K.O. or deadmeat, you use.
Red strings is battle-magic, buy for Lefrik and Bruendor. Cast on weapon. For one minute, strike little better, hit little harder. Come see Goblin when big fight starts, right?
Green is slippery-floor spells. You see Anklebiter use this. Good spell. Muckle good spell. Best one, Anklebiter writes hisself." Anklebiter indulges in a brief, proud grin before he continues:
"Blue is fog-spell. Use this for running away or big trouble like it. Good spell, but doesn't move. You cast, you move.
Gold is come-here spell for creature from the Beyond. Make good flanking when big fight comes. Not stay too long, though, and not too strong. Make smart use.
Black strings is battle scream-spell. Make hurt enemy at little distance. Maybe make freeze little while. Anklebiter use this on one-armed bandit, if get chance. No give orders if froze up, see?
This is be spells Anklebiter brings to the party. If no Anklebiter, make good use - and no leave corpse for Saul? Rather be eaten by honest rats. Now we go!"
DM Bigrin |
It is relatively easy to approach within 100 feet of the Gold Goblin's back door unseen. The riverbank dips sharply, and the water approach is clear. Of course, Saul is bound to have lookouts facing the river, but on a dark night you can get fairly close...and the distraction is supposed to take care of the lookouts.
A few minutes after you get into position, a thick fog billows out in front of the Goblin. Shouts come from within the gambling hall, and one voice rings out "They're coming!"
you can see a face in the window above the back door, keeping a lookout
Given the movement involved, on a dark night, you can probably stealth to within 60 feet or so with good bonuses. Also, if you intend to break the door down, treat it as a strong wooden door (5 hardness, 20 hp, 23 break DC. If you hit it running (either break or damage), get a +2 to your damage instead of the attack bonus. Are you charging in, or letting Bruendor try the door before you attack? Go!
Anklebiter the Insane |
Da fudge? o_o Perception check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20.
"Is lookout over back door!" Anklebiter whispers. "Kelendra, you is cast fog-spell, give cover for Bruendor to pick lock, or surprise is gone-o!"
Anklebiter the Insane |
No, I got that. I meant for Kelendra to whip up another fog-spell here so we can sneak up to the back door and not get spotted right away. ^^;
Bruendor Cavescouter |
Save the Mist - I've got a smokestick I can drop if I flub my Stealth roll. Mist rolling in at the Goblin's back tips our hand a bit too soon. Here's hoping the lookout is drunk!
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
YES!
Disable Device on the door: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Silent as the night, Bruendor treads lightly towards the Goblin's rear entrance. He tests the door, and assuming he finds it locked, pulls out his tools and sets to work.
Calumny "Calla" Tas'vere |
"Calistria be with us all," Calla says as the group sets out from the temple.
Though she noticed nothing -- to her great irritation -- the half-elf priestess creeps forward through the darkness after Anklebiter's warning, her bow in hand. As she approaches the Goblin, she mutters a quick orison to her goddess.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Casting detect magic
DM Bigrin |
Bruendor and Calla manage to approach without drawing any notice, and the dwarf makes quick work of the lock. Unfortunately, the door appears barred from the inside, and will not budge.
From this point all actions need to be accompanied by a stealth check (if you are trying to be sneaky). Lefrik's charge on the door will be anything but.
Kelendra Shae |
After stumbling on a broken bucket at the worst possible moment, Kel attempts to cover her lack of stealth with an effective use of Ghost Sound. Creating a cat's wail, she starts it 10' from the group and sends it moving away in the foggy night another 20'.
Ghost Sound: DC14
Anklebiter the Insane |
Stealth check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27.
Anklebiter creeps forward and eyes the door, a calculating look in his red eye. "Got spell," he agrees, whispering. "Need to see, though. Give some room."
Provided he can catch so much as a glimpse of the bar through the crack in the door, Anklebiter mutters a couple of words and wiggles his fingers.
IF Anklebiter can only catch a glimpse of that bar, he can cast Mage Hand and try to lift it. If he can't see it or the bar is too heavy, we are out of luck and it's clobbering time ahead of schedule. :-\
OR...! I can use my scroll of Summon Monster to conjure something on the other side of the door and lift the bar for us.
DM Bigrin |
No, and no. You can't see the bar, as it is on the other side of a doorjamb. Summon monster requires line of effect, so no popping it up on the other side of a wall/door. Looks like it is clobbering time'
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17.
1d20 ⇒ 13
The sentry up above seemed to catch sight of something out in the night, or was it a sound? The yowl of a large-sounding tomcat seemed to put him back at ease though.
I have Bruendor and Calla up against the Goblin by the door. Anklebiter is at the door, and the rest are 60' away in the darkness, with Lefrik lining up a charge. Is that right?
Anklebiter the Insane |
"Not going to work," Anklebiter whispers, shaking his head. He makes room by the door. "Everyone get back," he whispers again. "It's time for the battering ram-style approach. We're about to enter combat."
Provided everyone gets clear, Anklebiter beckons to Lefrik -- and nods.
Stealth": 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Lefrik Olegson |
Lefrik sees the nod and...
Well, if the spell is cast on his axe first, that's fine. Just apply bonuses to below rolls. If I have this right, he'll need to roll a 20 to break it even with a 17 str so let's just try to damage the door and weaken it fast.
Whirling his greataxe over his head as he moves, he races towards the door and brings all the momentum he can to bear to drive it.
Charging, Power Attack reduce to hit by one, increase dmg by 3 since he's using a two handed weapon. Charge bonus applying to dmg instead as directed.
To hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Dmg if that (please dear god, let it at least hit) Hits:1d12 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9+2 for charge dmg
Last edit. Sorry, please add bonus from Goblin magic to above rolls. I didn't realize he could get Bru AND Lefrik's weapons.
Anklebiter the Insane |
Right... Here we go!
Before backing up, Anklebiter pulls a scroll out of his sleeve and beckons to Bruendor. "Show me the weapon you want to use," he says. "Your melée weapon, that is."
Provided the Dwarf complies, Anklebiter tugs loose the red string and chants a brief spell over his weapon. Bruendor can feel a shudder of power pass through the metal and into his hand; a feeling of confidence and power fill him.
The Goblin leaps out of the way as Lefrik charges, then hops up as soon as the axe has struck the door. Another red string falls as Anklebiter slaps his hand against Lefrik's axe and repeats the chant. Lefrik also experiences the sudden surge of confidence and strength.
Anklebiter casts Magic Weapon on Bruendor's and Lefrik's melée weapons. Please mark your +1 modifiers to attack roll and damage, guys!
Lefrik Olegson |
No need to roll to hit. inanimate object isn't going anywhere...however, if you get above the break DC (23) to hit, I'll give you bonus damage.
Obviously not happening THIS round with rolls to hit like that :) but at least the dmg was good. Thanks
Anklebiter the Insane |
"Make hit more!" Anklebiter squeaks. "All together!"
The little Goblin hurls himself against the door bodily, but bounces right off with another squeak -- this one of pain.
Strength (yeah, right!) check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9. Ouch. Worth trying, though...
Lefrik Olegson |
"Get behind me, Anklebiter. I just know as soon as I break this open, at least three arrows are going to go through it." Despite his dire prediction, Lefrik slashes once more, putting his muscle into it.
Ok, no roll to hit needed, but using power attack, so plus 3 to dmg.
EDII for formatting and correction...dmg 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
DM Bigrin |
Another chunk of wood came free and Lefrik could see the locking bar. The door was in bad shape, and another good swing could possibly wreck it, but the bar was just sitting there. Could someone reach into the hole without getting their hand hacked off by whoever was inside?
If you choose to hit the door again, turn to page 35. If you choose to reach in and try and raise the bar, turn to page 43. :D
Calumny "Calla" Tas'vere |
Calla pulls her bow taut, feeling the arrow's fletching along her cheek as she waits for the moment the door opens and a shot is available.
Ready action for a target to appear.
"Damn!" she curses, as the shot lodges itself in a piece of door instead of its target inside.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5