The group heads through the tunnels. As he crosses over the spot where the underground tunnels run east and west, Karmid spots a large drag mark, what exactly is being dragged he is not sure. Whatever it was, it was so big that it took up the width of the tunnel!
Still, no good will come of exploring those tunnels further thus the group heads to the other side and through the earthworks to the ground above.
Before them is another set of impassable trees. Running east to west as Drasven described, is a path under the canopy where the "longshanks" can walk upright. There is also a path north
Edgar, once out of the space and getting his bearings somewhat, recommends East, because he knows that in a maze if you keep your hand on a wall and just keep following it, eventually you'll get out.
"East is as good as any direction I guess." Jili shrugs as she cleans the dirt off of her knees. She then stands up and looks closely at the paths.
Karmid shrugs.
"I hate puzzles. Ro? East works as good as anything else at the moment from what I can tell."
"Then East it is."
Unhooking his hammer again now that there is more room, Karmid moves forward, expecting trouble around every corner as they slowly move East.
Ro looks around then shrugs. "East is fine. It all looks the same."
I wonder if I could turn into an Ant? They are fascinating. Are there girl ants? I don't want to be a Queen. Maybe a Bee would be better? There are girl bees!..
...
..."East is fine. It all looks the same."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Lia is quick to agree with Ro. She was the leader, she was right..."Yes, it all looks the same. East is good. Fine, I mean."
Then she turns to Flutter:"Would you mind flying up a bit and checking if you can see the correct path, while we head east?"
"Certainly, I can try!", Flutter responds, as he attempts to fly straight up and get a rough idea of the layout.
Rojava nocks an arrow and follows after Karmid.
Edgar resumes his spot at the rear, sword and shield readied in case of ambush. He tries to keep alert.
Gwyddym moves along, focusing on the beauty of the trees as they move around.
Drasven feels the discomfort of having to squeeze in again but this time since the tunnel is slightly widened this time, he figures it wouldn't be so bad.
Jili takes her place in the line. Pulling out her bow and nocking an arrow.
Neither Flutter nor the GodTouched hear anything but the wind through the trees as it shakes the nettles. Once more coming round the hedges the path runs northeast and northwest.
Dead center in the copse of trees to the west is an open cave. As you pause to consider which way to go, from within you hear the sound of lapping water!
Ro looks over in the direction of the cave and quietly asks Karmid "Check it out or move on?"
Wincing in doubt, Karmid answers slowly as he thinks.
"Goblins and caves go together like flies and feces. We need to check it out at least. Despite the evidence, this could be their lair for all we know...or a trap."
"Let's take a peek. That way we know for sure it's not full of goblins following us." Jili looks unsure if that's what she really wants to do, but it makes sense.
"Then shall we?" Drasven questions as he fingers the safety lock on his crossbow.
Gwyddym continues to hold in the middle of the pack, glad to have people before and after him.
Drasven, possessed of the best night sight, takes a knee and peers into the shaft.
A glittering grotto sparkles here, its walls dripping with moisture and alive with sea urchins, anemones, and other tidal life. The cave’s roof
rises to a natural dome ten feet above the water where a five-foot-wide chimney rises through the roof in a shaft. The waters here are far from still likely affected by the surf nearby.
It'd be a tough hole to slip into for Karmid but the rest of you could likely manage if you had to. Still, the whole grotto appears to be submerged, at least from what Drasven can tell.
If you opt to pass this by, you can still head northeast or northwest.
Still no sounds of Goblins or otherwise.
"Hmmm a cove still submerged here. Could have suitable fresh seafod for those who likes that. No goblins do I spy though."
Looking directly at Karmid.
"You're a big one and getting in will be a problem for you if we have to slip in. Though it'll be almost the same for everyone else. Scout or go?"
Lia stands behind Rojava, busy taking in all the nature surrounding them. The glittering grotto catches her attention for a moment, but her mind quickly wanders on, while she absent-mindedly hums the melody of a song never written.
Karmid hooks a thumb over his shoulder.
"Go. No goblins? Water? Sounds like a wild goose chase for now."
Karmid checks for tracks to see if a certain path is followed more than another...and to see if he can determine what was dragged away through the nettle-tunnel that he noticed earlier. Whatever it was, it was large and should leave an impression.
Edgar continues to cover the rear approach, alert and attentive for any impending danger, at least from that direction.
Ro continues to follow Karmid's lead. She keeps a particular eye out for any signs of an exit from the underground tunnels, figuring the branches they didn't explore might also have exits. She doesn't want any surprises from the rear if there is trouble among the hedge paths.
"That sounds like a pretty place." She doesn't protest when the group decides to continue on.
"Agreed then." Drasven nods his head in understanding as he waits for the big man to take the lead in scouting ahead.
When they move on, Lia seems confused as Edgar takes his place at the stern again, as if trying hard to remember something-:"Uhm...have we been attacked in the rear already? Or was that later?"
Karmid looks at the ground now that the group has paused. He sees, well nothing, small and medium woodland creature paw prints on occasion, his belief, the Goblins don't use these pathways at all. Wait, that appears to be some sort of wolf or dog print...
Gwyddym Soarsong
Drasven Hammers
Lia Tani
Karmid Groundbreaker
Rojava Brishen
Edgar Gidolb
Jiliana Dalca
Gwydd, Drasven, Lia, and Jiliana hear something, sounds like a snorting or a sniffing from not far away, they think behind them in these nettle pathways.
Gwydd taps Drasven on the shoulder. Do you hear that? Snuffling or something behind those nettle pathways? he whispers to the stocky dwarf.
"Aye. I do laddie. Someone with better skils then I should check this." Drasven whispers back while indicating the more survival based party members to go ahead.
Not having heard the ruckus behind the group...
"I think this is some some sort of hedge maze. The goblins...are back through the other part of the under-hedge tunnel. There were goblin signs and drag marks. The only tracks here are for animals...dogs or wolves of some sort. We should be cautious..."
Ro is disappointed and groans quietly.
She asks Karmid "do you think we need to go back and use the tunnels?"
"Oh, was that now? I knew something was supposed to happen!", Lia points at where she was hearing something, drawing Edgars attention towards it.
As some of the GodTouched draw attention to the noises, none are surprise when several Goblin Dogs charge at your group!
Gwyddym Soarsong
Drasven Hammers
Lia Tani
Karmid Groundbreaker
Rojava Brishen
Edgar Gidolb
Jiliana Dalca
GD
Gwyddym turns to see the dogs and immediately begins a lilting song with his fingers waggling back and forth. Finishing with a jab of one hand, he targets the forward-most dog and speaks the final command word.
This spell causes confusion in the targets, making them unable to determine their actions. Roll on the following table at the start of each subject's turn each round to see what it does in that round.
d% Behavior
01–25 Act normally
26–50 Do nothing but babble incoherently
51–75 Deal 1d8 points of damage + Str modifier to self with item in hand
76–100 Attack nearest creature (for this purpose, a familiar counts as part of the subject's self)
A confused character who can't carry out the indicated action does nothing but babble incoherently. Attackers are not at any special advantage when attacking a confused character. Any confused character who is attacked automatically attacks its attackers on its next turn, as long as it is still confused when its turn comes. Note that a confused character will not make attacks of opportunity against any creature that it is not already devoted to attacking (either because of its most recent action or because it has just been attacked).
Jili makes a little sound as the dogs come running at the group. She steps where she can get a clear path. She speaks words that are not Common, and fire shoots from her hands in a wave.
"Freeze!", Lia shouts at the dogs, simultaneously making a throwing motion with her hand towards the Doggo that still looks least hurt after her companions actions.
A ball of ice and snow comes into being, accelerating towards it's target and impacting it with a thud, and releasing a cold intense enough to freeze the blood in the goblin dogs veins.
Silently, Lia murmurs:"Winter is coming!" as she steps back, allowing Edgar to do his rear guard thing.
Flutter remains in the space Lia vacated, not presenting much danger himself, but shielding his mistress against the hostiles nonetheless.
Despite being a butterfly, his bite seems to be...displaced. And amplified.
Indeed, when Flutter seems to lash out, teeth much too large to even fit into his head seem to come into existance as far as 5 feet away from him and assailing his target.
Of course, that also forced those near him with hostile intentions to shield themselves against his assault.
Lia and Jiliana unleash fire and ice at the dogs as Gwydd casts a spell at the lead dog. Which shakes off whatever the spell was.
GD 1 - Reflex Save - HP= 5/9 -
GD 2 - Reflex Save - DEAD!
GD 3 - Reflex Save - HP = 2/10 -
GD 4 - Reflex Save - HP = 2/10 -
GD 5 - Reflex Save - HP = 2/10 -
GD 6 - Reflex Save - HP = 2/10 -
GD 1 - Will Save
Attacks
GD 1 - Bite Edgar - HP= 5/9 -
GD 3 - Bite Jiliana - - Damage HP = 2/10 -
GD 4 - Bite Gwydd - HP = 2/10 -
GD 5 - Bite Lia - HP = 2/10 -
GD 6 - Bite Drasven - HP = 2/10 -
Of the six, four are horribly burned by the flames that spread from her hands!
The second in line drops instantly frozen with its body still crackling on fire!
Still, the remaining five leap upon the rearguard and through! Attacking Drasven, Gwydd, Lia, Jiliana, and Edgar. Edgar side steps the leap of the dog threatening him. Jiliana has no time after her casting to step away and is caught on the leg by vicious teeth.
Gwydd is likewise the recipient of a nasty goblin dog bit but on his hip. Lia catches a bite on her casting hand. Hell, even the dwarf cannot evade the fleet creature's bite!
"NO! Goblin dogs!"
Turning quickly, Karmid pushes his way toward the melee! With his bone Klar-shield on his left arm, Karmid attempts to strike the closest dog with Angela!
Steping away from the bite, Drasven attempts a shot but the close quarter combat here wasn't doing him any favors!
Ro turns about and looses her arrow. She takes the clearest shot at a dog she can find.
Edgar strikes at the dog that had just missed him, his heritage causing the blade to trail slight flame behind it.
She whacks at the closest dog with her morningstar.
The Path to Thistletop -
Five swings and four corpses later there is but one four legged foe left!
--
---
Almost instantly Jilliana breaks out in an itching rash.
Lia is clearly surprised be the Goblin Dog weaving through her colleagues to get at her. Even though it falls a moment later, her second snowball aimed at the remaining Beast misses by a wide margin, slamming into part of the vegetation behind it.