Hedran moves up to the grenadier and swings at her with his longsword, but she ducks out of the way.
The wounded hobgoblin continues to attack Bear, but does not manage to hit.
The hulking, scarred creature calmly runs Ringo through, then studies Grenwold. "Now I'm done with your deer, it'll be your turn next."
Father Noelan blasts the grenadier, hoping to finish her off before she does anything to Cavall.
The grenadier remains barely standing and is blinded by the burst of radiance. Father Noelan immediately starts climbing out of the tower. "I need to tend to those down!"
Seeing Ringo still up, he continues attacking him with a growl, "Why won't you die?!" , then finishes off with a sweep that takes Ringo's head off at his neck.
Grenwold stares for a moment, and tumbles off of Ringo, then breathes quietly and summons the turtle spirit. He then attempts to hit the big creature.
Swift action- turtle
Standard Action
”What’s one more friend,” he says, bitterly.
The hulking scarred creature is surprisingly steady and Grenwold feels like he's trying topple a tree that won't budge.
Robert shoots at the hulking scarred creature but it bounces off his armor.
"Damn you!" - Hedran growls at the grenadier hobgoblin as Cavall falls unconscious - he does not hesitate in attacking the creature, even if it is disoriented by Father Noelan's spell.
Hedran slices open the throat of the hobgoblin and it falls to the ground, dead.
Cavall blinks at Nigel then twitches slightly, while whining. He looks at the other hobgoblin.
Thanks. And I see that there's no rest for the wicked.
Stepping toward the hobgoblin that had been attacking Bear, Ratel thrusts with his scizore then attempts to smash the attacker with his shield while Bear continues nipping and clawing at the hobgoblins legs.
The hobgoblin avoids the scizore but gets bashed by Ratel's shield and falls to the ground.
The hulking scarred creature turns on Grenwold, now standing by Ringo's corpse, studies him, then lashes out with his shortsword. "You'll join your deardeer friend soon enough."He promises, then strikes at Grenwold, catching him in the ribs.
"Not while I draw breath!" Father Noelan declares as he moves down the ramp, with it creeking ominously as he does so, then jumps over the rails the last 20 feet down.
Father Noelan nearly makes a perfect landing except at the last part his ankle gives way as he lands, sending him tumbling to the ground.
He then picks himself up, complaining, "I'm really getting too old for this."
He then gives a sharp piercing whistle, calling Cavall to go near Gren.
Cavall wearily picks himself off the ground and limps over, giving a howl.
Hang in there, Gren, you're not alone. We're coming!
Grenwold glares at the bugbear,
Gren steps away from the creature and waves his hands at him, hoping to inflict some pain.
5 foot step diagonally away from creature
Cast “Howling Agony” on creature - Fort save DC 15 negates.
"I like my prey to show some fight. The result is always the same in the end." The creature shrugs off Grenwold's spell.
As Ratel looks up from the fallen hobgoblin toward Gren, he moans for the little gnomes loss, telling Bear, "Flank that swordsman Bear." Bear begins to head back around behind the creature. As Ratel moves towards it, giving an wickied grin. "do I look like 'Prey' to you?"
Robert continues to shoot at the hulking, scarred creature, but it whizzies to the side.
The creature steps forward, pressing the assault against Grenwold, but Grenwold manages to duck and weave out of the way."Wiggly gnome, stand and fight you worm!"
Father Noelan taps Grenwold, healing him.
He then orders Cavall to attack the creature, which Cavall does so, and drags the creature to the ground.
Swinging wide around the tent Bear runs in behind the creature biting at his legs, while Ratel steps in attacking his Scizore and Shield
Bear does manage to bite the creature on his legs, but the scizore and shield do not penetrate his leather armor.
Grenwold attempts to wail on the bugbear with his morningstar after changing his focus back to bull.
Grenwold manages to clobber him on his arm.
Hedran double moves up.
Robert's arrow whizzes by the creature.
The creature stands up and moves out of flank then stabs Bear, who gives a moan, then flops on the floor. "Let's start by thinning out some extras."
As he gets up, Cavall manages to give him a nasty bite on his side, while Ratel bashes him in the face with his shield.
"Cavall, pull Bear over please." Father Noelan commands.
He then pumps a big heal into Bear.
+1 Longbow, Precise Shot on Hobgoblin
Seeing Bear go down then rescued by his friends, Ratel breath a sigh of relief. Turning to the sword wielder, snarling. ”The Bear isn’t the one you need to worry about.” He then attacks with shield and weapon. Returning to consciousness Bear stands up, stepping beside Ratel and tries to bite his attacker.
Gren puts away his morningstar and casts another spell at the villain, attempting to bring him pain.
Swift action turtle
Move action put away morningstar
Standard action howling agony on bugbear - Fort DC 15
Thanks. Let’s finish this.
The hulking scarred creature shrugs off Grenwold’s spell. ”Your puny elf magics are no match for my manlinessmight!”He boasts.
Ratel tries to stab and bash him, but he sweeps Ratel's scizore aside and ducks out of the way of the shield slam. Bear only manages to get a bite of leather armor.
Hedran begins casting a spell , and his blade glows a frosty blue. He then cuts the creature down with a mighty overhand swing of his longsword. ”Not mine.” He adds nonchalantly, as the creature falls to the ground.
Robert climbs down out of the tower and walks through the camp. Stopping before Skinder, he looks down at the wererat.
"Sarenrae, the Goddess I worship, is big on redemption. So, I'm giving you an opportunity. You are to leave Nimrathas. Spread the word to all Goblinoid tribes that you come across that Goblinoids are no longer welcome here, and will no longer receive mercy. You are not to return to the Legion. If we see you again, you'll not receive mercy, either. Now, go."
When the bugbear falls unconscious, Grenwold, with an expressionless face, draws his glaive and attempts to hack away at the neck of the creature.
Searching the hobgoblin archers, the party finds on each , 2 potions of CLW, 2 alchemist fires, padded armor, composite longbow (+2 str), 15 arrows, handaxe, mw battleaxe, backpack, bedroll, blanket, mess kit, small tent and 3 provision points of dried blueberries, apricots, strawberries and hazelnuts.
Searching the other type of short weird creature, the party finds leather armor, a light steel shield and 3 javelins.
On the goblin, the party finds animal brushes, leather collar etched with the name “Garvex” and mouldering loincloth.
On the bomber the party finds 2 potions of blur, 3 potions of cure moderate wounds, one potion of resist cold, one potion of resist fire, one silverseheen, an ungent of timelessness, 3 flasks of acid, 3 alchemists fires, 3 tanglefoot bags, a thunderstone, a chain shirt(which Hedran identifies as a +1 chain shirt), a masterwork Morningstar, a key ring, a pair of silver shackles and 52 gp and an alchemist formula book containing formulae of barkskin, protection from arrows, resist energy, cure light wounds, enlarge person, expeditious retreat, shield and true strike.
On the hulking scarred creature, the party finds a potion of bear’s endurance, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds, 5 caltrops, 6 greenblood oils, spiked studded leather armor which no one is able to identify, two magical shortswords which Hedran identifies as +1 short swords, a masterwork composite shortbow (+4 str) with 20 arrows, bedroll, blanket, hip flask, iron spikes(10), masterwork backpack, masterwork skinning tools, masterwork manacles, saw, sewing needle, shaving kit, surgeons tools and 77 gp.
After a moment of contemplation above the still warm body of his faithful friend, as as things are being itemized, Grenwold quietly builds a litter for Ringo, and after gingerly placing the body onto the litter (including the head) prepares to leave, with the bugbear’s head in a sack, dragging behind on the litter.
”Do whatever you need to. I have business to take care of.” he says, absentmindedly to the party.
To Skinder, he says in Goblin
A thorough search turns up 40 provision points of pumpkins, butternut squashes, marrows, pears and plums, apples as well as some dried jerky, 8 bed rolls, 10 blankets, 200 feet of hemp rope, 28 candles, 15 torches and an iron holy symbol of Lamasthu. Hedran finds a hidden cache buried beneath one of the fireplace logs and a small iron coffer inside it holds 250 gp and a scrollcase containing a scroll of silence and a scroll of searing light.
On the wolf, the party finds a silver collar set with a single sapphire worth 130 gp
The party finds ragged green cloak hanging on the roof which Hedran identifies as a Cloak of Woodlands Creatures.
Raw yellow timbers, so freshly cut they still smell of pine, prop up this sturdy, oilcloth tent. A square window has been cut in one wall and a puddle of thick, foul smelling liquid marks the ground beneath. Fumes from the puddle have discoloured the canvas above, turning the beige fabric a milky gray.
The building contains enough glassware, burners and components to function as an alchemist lab. A magically augmented alchemical device, which Hedran identifies as a formula Alembic can be found in the tent.
A locked chest under the table, which the party uses the bomber’s key ring to open yields 3 doses of bloodroot, 2 doses of blue whinnis, 1 dose of death blade, 3 doses of greenblood oil and 2 doses of small centipede poison and 5 doses of anti toxin.
A second locked chest is a piece of darkwood the size of a small shield and enough eel hide to make a suit of light armor. The chest also contains 300 gp and a small bag of abjurant salt.
The skins of many humanoids – many with faces still twisted in agony – make up the walls of this gruesome domed tent. Rough stitches hold it together and the interior is well appointed in furs and solid, dark furnishings. A bucket in one corner contains a caustic, lime-based cleaning solution that can burn exposed skin.
Inside the hut, the remains of his last victim are still strapped to a wooden crossbar – that of a Chernasardo Ranger named Drellivielle. The time of death was about a week ago, the body still bearing the telltale signs of torture, including dozens of shallow cuts and burns where blood was wiped away with caustic cleaning agents. A distinctively elven belt, green vest and ink pen all sit on a table beside the body, along with a small note. The items are of minimal value, and the note simply reads, “All foxes to their holes.”
Inside the tent are 6 longswords, 3 shortswords and two scimitars of masterwork quality, along with a +1 whip and a +1 wooden shield hanging on the wall.
Beside the cot is a box containing a shaving kit, 5 blocks of soap,two stiffed bristled brushes and three vials of deodorizing agent and a key ring. There are 3 locked chests in the room, which the party opens. The first contains 750sp and 480 gp, the second has a pouch with 150 gp of assorted semiprecious gemstones as well as two potions of bear’s endurance and 7 potions lof protection from chaos.
The third chest contains a collection of personal items looted form Phaendar, mostly trinkets worth a few coppers, if anything, such as small paintings, wooden carvings, bits of beaded jewellery, shoe buckles and pottery worth 300 gp. There is an elegantly embroidered scarf, a set of silver charms on rings, each one the shape of a different leaf, a harvester’s pouch that Grenwold remembers his uncle, Davwin likes to carry, a bandana that his aunt, Fenla liked to wear, an empty bottle of Borek’s ale, a pair of shoes made by Happy Feet cobblers, a spare hori hori knife.
Skinder takes one terrified look at Robert, then high tails it off to the woods. ”Ok, I’m running, thanks for sparing my life. You have my word you will not see me again.” She then disappears into the woods.
”I’m sorry about your friend. He was a brave deer who died protecting you. “ He looks at Ringo’s body. ”Unfortunately, I do not have the power to bring back the dead.” Father Noelan bites his lip. ”Do you have your own rites to perform or would you want to bring his body back, so that the whole of Phaendar may commemorate his sacrifice?”
Father Noelan goes into the tent, and sees all the flayed skins. He turns rather pale as he stumbles out of the tent, looking like he is trying to stop himself from retching. ”By Erastil…that’s Korus and his friends, Sigvat, Thorson, Gerd, Tonna’s skins in there.”
”Now I know why they didn’t show up in Sanctuary.” Father Noelan stares darkly at the tent. ”We need to bring their skins back to them. And show them the perpetrator of this heinous deed is dead, so they can go to their rest.”
"And we also need to bury Drellivielle. Some distance away from this foul place."
He then turns to Grenwold. ”I’m sorry, but do you mind if I borrow the head for a while so I can put those souls at Gristledown to rest?”
"No, he was my friend. I will take care of him. I am not sentimental enough to presume that a bunch of humans will care much for a 'deer' even if it is explained to them. You can borrow the head, but I want it back when you're done... please" he waves his hand as he hands the bloody sack to Noelan. "If you see anything gnomish, please set it aside. I couldn't bear to know now - but I will want to know later."
Grenwold covers up Ringo and waits at the edge of camp.
Robert calls Pila to his side and hugs her tightly for a minute or so.
"These skins are probably from the Lumber Camp. If we return them, we can put those poor souls to rest."
"Are you sure you're going to be all right?" Father Noelan looks at Grenwold concernedly as he visits Grenwold at the edge of the camp. "I know what it's like to lose a friend, and by right you should have years together, rather then having it cut painfully short."
"There's a saying that pain shared is pain halved."Father Noelan adds, while hovering around Grenwold.
"No, I'm not going to, not for a little while at least. But that's why it would be best if I were alone at least for a time. Tend to your people, father. They will need you more than I will, and I would not want to be a distraction." He coughs.
"And if I sound bitter about Ringo, it is because to most of the folks of Phaendar, he would have been a meal, or a jacket. I would not have him brought back only for some lout to make a snide remark about 'waste'." Grenwold sniffs.
"We gnomes are hardy folk, we bounce back from tragedy with optimism, right? Trust that is the case. If not, hope it is, for I will be hoping. Regardless, being with other people will not bring me joy, or ease my pain. Solitude, contemplation, communion with the Green Mother and Shelyn, those will ease my suffering." He shrugs. "Will it be enough? I can't say." Grenwold looks at Noelan morosely, but he does not appear to be deceptive.
”Yeah, I never fully got over Cavall either. And that was years. I didn’t expect to see him again on the other side.” Father Noelan says contemplatively, while sitting down on the grass with him. ”I know there is justice in the world, and the Green Mother would see that he went to his just rewards. I mean, you saw Sanctuary, didn’t you?”
Father Noelan shakes his head at the second part of Ringo’s statement. ”No, we would not do that. We’re used to having animal friends among us, and anyone who would do something as insensitive as that would answer to me personally.”
”But I will respect your need for privacy. Each of us mourn in our own way. Just promise me you won’t do anything stupid – Phaendar needs all of us.” Father Noelan tells Grenwold, before leaving him alone with his grief. ”And if you need to talk, I’m always available.”
The party then burns the hobgoblin bodies using the pine wood of the bomber’s tent, and sets up camp further away in the woods, where Father Noelan gets Hedran to help him carry the body out, which he then straps it onto Cavall for transportation, then places the skins in the bag of holding. Once at a clearing he starts digging a grave, then takes her body and lays it down in it.
”Drellivielle of the Chernarsado Rangers, go in peace.” Father Noelan says. ” The one who did this to you has been brought to justice and will trouble no one else in Golarion,” then brandishes the bugbear head.”I promise I will do my best to see your friends and family taken care off, and see that the tales of your brave deeds honoured among the ranks of the Ranger Corps. May your spirit roam free in Nirvana, or Elysium.” He then gives the grave a military salute, before covering it up.
”Now I need to take care of that bloodhound, so if you’ll excuse me while I spend the night with her.”Father Noelan states, before leaving with Cavall. ”I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
Grenwold nods at Nigel appreciatively, but does not otherwise respond.
"I won't do anything self-destructive. Everyone is too important, I know." Grenwold cleans the gore off of his weapons while he waits. He departs a little before Father Noelan.
Hedran approaches, clearly uncomfortable - "I am sorry for the loss of our companion Gren" - he states out flatly, then moves out to assist Father Noelan with carrying the body of Drellivielle.
”Now I need to take care of that bloodhound, so if you’ll excuse me while I spend the night with her.”Father Noelan states, before leaving with Cavall. ”I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
The next morning, Father Noelan returns with Cavall. ”She chose to leave after I explained matters to her.” He says, then starts setting off for Gristledown.
Most of the buildings of Gristledown have been either removed or are just smouldering wrecks, leaving a mass grave, except that the earth is stained with blood. As the party arrives at the scene, four bloody skeletons pull themselves out of the mass grave and confront the party. Father Noelan fearlessly walks up to them, while pulling out the bugbear head out of the bloody sack. ”I know all of you died horrible deaths at the hands of the Ironfang Legion. We have avenged you, and brought your torturer to justice.” He declares fiercely, then throws the bugbear head on the ground for the skeletons to see. ”And we have come to return what was taken from you. Korus, your skin.” He pulls one skin out of the bag of holding. One of the bloody skeletons move forward and drapes on that skin. ” Sigvat, here’s your skin.” Another bloody skeleton comes forward and reclaims its skin. ”Gerd, here’s yours.” The third bloody skeleton comes forward and reclaims its skin. ”Tonna, here’s your skin.” He hands the skin he pulls out to the last bloody skeleton.
The bloody skeletons stare at him with their hollow eyesockets. ”There’s nothing else you need to do here, “ Father Noelan says gently. ”Your purpose that kept you Golarion bound is gone. Your murderers are dead – it’s time you for you to go to your rest. I know what awaits you on the other side – we’ve got a flourishing town named Sanctuary there.” Father Noelan grows animated as he starts talking about Sanctuary.”Borek’s started his own tavern, called “the Oasis”, and it’s filled with goodly creatures. There are fields of plenty and forests full of game, you will not want. Go with my blessing – for HIS kingdom awaits.” At the final words, the bloody skeletons give out a relieved sigh, as they crumble into dust.
A single tear trickles down Father Noelan’s cheek. ”I liked Korus and his gang. Sure, they were a little rough-cut, stubborn as hell…which was probably why they trapped themselves here. But they were good people and once you got past their tough exteriors, they were loyal to a fault, and if they promised they’d get something done for you, it would be.” He sigh heavily, ” Nigel told me about what happened in Gristledown, but hearing a second hand account and seeing it in person is very different.”
”And we still have several skins in the bag of holding I need to return.” Father Noelan looks morosely at the mass grave. ”We’ll need to dig the place up, then I should be able to see those who are missing skins and bury it with them.” He then sets out digging with a shovel, then lays the remaining skins with their skeletons. "Go in peace."
"If we do live past this...there should be memorial in remembrance to those who didn't make it."