Dan groans at the hit. "Let's see how you like it, you little monsters."
Dan calls on the powers of his god and a wave of amber light washes over everyone in the area. It smells of a heavy beer. The goblins all start vomitting violently unable to do much else. Three of the goblins just drop on the floor after they throw up so much that blood started coming out. Some of the tougher goblins, the chief and one of the casters don't seem as effected as the others.
The intoxicating scent distracts Thorfinn at a critical moment, and he misses the traitorous goblin. "Well done! Can you do that again, lad?"
When the nauseated goblin pulls itself together, though, the dwarf's axe is there to meet it.
Dan nods at Thorfinn. "I'm pretty sure Cayden's watching right now. As long as we keep entertaining Him he'll probably oblige."
Thorfinn cuts down the traitorous goblin from last night as Dan once again calls on the power of his god and the same wave of energy washes over the goblins causing them to continue to vomit all over the place. The goblin dog and one of the tougher goblins fall to the constant vomiting, curled in the fetile position unmoving.
The cheif shouts something in goblin, not as affected by the powers Dan called upon and starts to move away from the battle as the other goblins fill in to block his escape.
Thorfinn's axe cleaves the air behind the retreating goblin chief.
"Thorfinn, we need to get out of here while we can! Let him go and help me with Ioxeia!"
"Aye, I'm with you." The dwarf stows his weapons and carefully picks up the fallen elf.
Thorfinn takes a short step towards the gate, launching a tentative chop at one of the remaining goblins. "Get her moving again and get away--I'll follow."
Matsuno glances back at the elf-blooded mage whom he so recently teamed up with and quickly says, "It looks like we have trouble, although the dead lie at their feet in numbers beyond belief. These must be the heroes spoke of." He takes notice of the downed adventurer and adds, "I don't suppose you have any ideas how to aid their escape? That one looks unfit for the journey across."
The slender man steps forwards towards the cliff edge, only briefly looking down to the waters below before drawing an arrow and taking aim at the goblin menacing the axe wielding dwarf. "Ho there melon head! Stand still for just a moment if you would!" he shouts across the ravine, and then releases the bowstring, hoping the arrow flies true to his mark.
Erastil, let my aim be true!
"We need to get the bridge fixed. Can you hold them off me while I do that?" Dan looks up at the new voice. "Thank you, Cayden," he mutters under his breath. Dan waves at Matusno and Syuveil and points at the bridge.
"Help me get this bridge back up!"
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Ioxeia’s eyes snap open as Dan casts his spell, darting wildly as she realizes where she is.
“Is sh… is she safe? Who else is going to help her?” she asks frantically, tottering to her feet. Still dizzy with loss of blood, Ioxeia almost falls, but steadies herself at the last moment. Her eyes clear, and she watches grimly as Thorfinn pursues the last goblins. Turning to Dan, she says, “Thanks! If there’s any more of that… but see if you can help Thorfinn! I’ll see what I can do to get this bridge fixed!”
Looking across to shore, she sees the new arrivals and catches her breath in relief. Thank the goddesses! I wonder who these might be…
Thorfinn goes after the remaining goblins blocking their path from the chiefs escape allowing Dan the opportunity to tend to Ioxeia. Wiping some of the blood and vomit off of her Dan places a hand over the most greavous injury calling on the power of this god he seals the wound giving her just enough energy to snap out of her unconcious state.
Ioxeia stands slowly and moves to the bridge to start trying to repair it.
As Ioxeia moves toward the bridge she spots two men one a human of Tian descent and another an elf at first look. The tian man notches an arrow and lets it fly toward one of the goblins it sails through the air with perfect aim and sticks through the goblins throat causing the greenskin to fall to the ground unmoving.
"Your idea seemed to work nicely," Syuviel replies with a slight smirk, as his newfound companion's arrow nails the goblin from afar. As he approaches the bridge, his eyes flick from the dead goblin to the elven woman. "Hm. That one appears to be doing something about the bridge."
With a sleeved arm he procures a crooked wand from his belt, before leveling it at one of the other goblins across the gap. Unlike Matsuno, his aim need not be perfect. "Now then..."
As the other man moves closer to the bridge he pulls out a stick and points it in the general direction of the goblins, then flicks his wrist and a small ball of energy flies out and slams into the goblin adding to its injuries.
The goblin steps back and shouts something at the goblin next to him. They both work to close the doors of the fort slamming them in Thorfinns face.
Cursing the unusual wisdom of the greenskin bastards, Matsuno lowers his bow and glances at the mage to his side, "We need to find a way across this expanse quickly, as I fear those toothy creeps inside are just smart enough to gather another force to attack with. Have any tricks up your sleeve to help?"
This is just like before...if we don't aid those on the other side quickly they are surely doomed. Desna why do you torture me so?
Matsuno begins doing what he can to help restore the ropes to functionality and making sure they are solidly secured on his end.
"Dan, I think I'm a mite better with ropes than you--can you hold the gate once Ioxeia is up?"
Dan nods at Thorfinn. "Let's switch, then." He moved away from Ioxeia to take the ranger's place holding off the goblins.
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As she hears the scrape as the goblins start to pull the doors of the fort shut, Ioxeia thinks, Hopefully that will give us some respite, at least, even if the others can't stop them. A siege, then.
She turns with a bit more confidence to the task of getting the bridge back in working order, moving as quickly as her injuries allow her.
With the goblins having retreated it gives the group a moment to breath and work on restoring the bridge. After a brief moment Thorfinn and Ioxeia, working together manage to stabilize there side of the bridge making it walkable once again.
Thorfinn will take a moment to see if the caster had anything useful, and also give any of the goblins who might still be alive a clean exit.
Thorfinn checks the bodies quickly as Ioxeia finishes getting the bridge ready. Amongst the mundane arms and armor of small size the goblins have you find a potion, two wands, very nice small leather armor and a very nice cloak.
Once the bridge is secured Matsuno joins the others at the far side of the expanse. He looks around to confirm his early count and says, "The Heroes of Sandpoint I presume? Much is said of your exploits and your prowess for greenskin hunting. Where is the rest of your band?"
He assesses the gate for a moment before adding, "Obviously you are wounded, but know that no good can come from allowing those two that ran inside to have time to alert others to our presence."
Thinking himself the fool, he adds brusquely, "I am Matsuno Kaijitsu, I've come to offer my aid in rooting out this threat to Sandpoint."
Syuviel is not at all pleased with the idea off crossing the bridge, which for all intents and purposes, was a literal deathtrap. Nonetheless, he closely follows Matsuno, and the bridge seems to hold. He allows himself a sigh of relief before abruptly snatching his glasses off, fitting them into a pocket on his robe.
"Ahem. Likewise," he says, rubbing the bridge of his nose between two fingers, "Syuviel Malethrin, at your service." He is quick to avert his gaze from the others, particularly the injured elf, instead looking upon the goblin structure with a slight frown.
The dwarf gives the two newcomers a bow. "Thorfinn son of Feigr, son of Losk, son of Dolgrin, son of Gefjon...ahhh, that's probably far enough back for now. Well met, and thanks--might've been facing a sortie now if you hadn't come by." Now that the fight is over for the moment, Thorfinn is visibly lacking in confidence in his speech. He stops. "Dorik! What happened to Ironhand? I saw him fall...." Looking over the edge at the lifeless body below, Thorfinn's face crumples. "Damn them and their traps! We'll have to take his body back...not leave it to those rateaters, or to be eaten by fish."
Dan comes back to the group from the gate, gesturing at the bridge. "I'm Dan. Thanks for the save. Let's get out of here." He looks down at the water. "I don't see him, Thorfinn." Then he had an idea. "But maybe we could come back with a boat, so we don't have to try this deathtrap again. We could look for him then."
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You should have seen it a minute ago, Ioxeia thinks, as she adjusts her mask and the earnest young human warns them about the escaped goblins. Waves of the little vermin. They know we’re here, well enough. I wonder where Nualia was, though…
“Ioxeia Androdaixa,” she says, introducing herself simply. As Dan and Thorfinn scan the waters below for sign of Dorik’s body, she considers the carnage before the fort.
“He will be avenged,” she murmurs. She examines the entrance to the fort, and thinks about what must be done. She whirls around in excitement, and almost falls again as her weakened frame protests. Glancing at the robed half-elf, she says, “I don’t suppose you have any means of getting past barred doors? I might be able to get us through, but it won’t be particularly … elegant.”
Looking over the group, she continues. “It doesn’t seem that there’s a safer way of getting in or out than this. I’m not sure if after that they might want to try to break out, but perhaps we ought to camp on the other side, keep an eye out that no one meddle with the bridge, and renew our attack in the morning. We’ve almost exhausted our reserves of spell-power for today.”
Matsuno considers the conversation before adding, "I do not like the idea of the little buggers scurrying around in their holes gathering up their friends one bit, but judging from the looks of you all I feel that if we were to charge in right now it would be suicide."
"We are left with no good options it seems. Do you know how many might be inside?"
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Ioxeia gives the question some thought before answering, carefully acknowledging the limits of her knowledge. “Of the ones we were fighting, there are three left, not counting the chief: one of them had some acquaintance with an arcanist’s skills – the shrieking it made was horrendous. The chief appeared late, so I would hope he threw most of what he had at us, but I can’t be sure. What’s most worrisome is that we know he’s working with the people responsible for the raid on Sandpoint, but they didn’t see fit to appear, and I would very much like to know why. Those are three or four humans, and a bugbear who I have reason to believe has much to answer for to my people.”
She shudders involuntarily at the implications of Shalelu’s description of her running battles with the beast. If I could bring the thing down once and for all … it would do these woods a favour, to say the least.
Thinking of people they know, several other thoughts occur to her. “Are you related to the Sandpoint Kaijitsus?” she asks Matsuno. “It seems an uncommon name in these parts. If so, I’m sure you’ve heard about the misfortune that has struck Ameiko's family… Is that what brought you out on the road today, or just the goddesses’ luck to us?”
Eyes flicking towards Syuviel, Ioxeia adds, “I don’t suppose you stumbled across a sorcerer on your way here? He would be about your build, in fine black robes, but with … distinctive eyes. He managed to get clear after his magic was spent for the day, and went to find help.”
"If one thing is for certain, it is that none of you appear to be in any condition to continue. If what you say is true, then these foul little creatures were only the least of your troubles," Syuviel observes, finally looking down from the goblin fortress. It was not quite what he was looking for. "I have yet to expend any of my own spells, but they would hardly suffice. I suggest we at least take time for you all to recuperate."
I waited here for this long. There will not be any harm in waiting a little longer.
"Of course," he adds hesitantly, "that would require us to cross the bridge. Again."
He regards Ioxeia with a puzzled expression, frowning slightly as he thinks back on his time there. "He might have ran right past me. I have been in, ah, hiding. I did not want to chance an encounter with the goblins. Not alone at least."
Dan shakes his head. "Unless one of you brought a ladder or a battering ram, I don't see how we're getting through that gate. And camping here is just asking for them to swarm us in the middle of the night. We should go back to town and get a boat. I didn't realize there was so much water around these little beasts' hive. There has got to be a better way in than crossing this trapped bridge and banging on their front door until they let us in."
Turning to the bloodied woman Matsuno says, "It is, or maybe a bit of both. I am Ameiko's cousin, although are families are not overly close, mine having lived for many years in Magnimar." He pauses for a moment, obviously concerned, and continues, "She explained what has transpired, and my heart goes out to her. She has seen much loss, and I fear it more than she is able to bear."
Regarding the only other human in the group Matsuno says, "There's always fire..." the tien man says, a slight grin crossing his face at an attempt to lighten the mood.
He then adds, "If a return to Sandpoint is what is required then so be it. Just know that the bubble heads will be waiting for us when we return."
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Ioxeia’s carven face hides her bemused expression as she glances at Dan. “I know a spell that would let me make a start on breaking through a mere wooden door – I’ve had occasion to use it before. I could probably even manage it now, but I’m not sure how close we want to be to those goblins when they find their courage again, until we’ve had a chance to recover ourselves.”
"Figure they're going to lick their wounds for a bit yet, but I still don't fancy hanging around here. Something else we might try, too--it's a chancy bet, but didn't that tunnel we found under Sandpoint go in this direction?"