The hobgoblin continues his personal war with Lhuar, plugging the dwarf in the chest again with an arrow!
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edit:Maybe I should have picked a class that made the bad guys roll dice.
Grizmoch smiles at Pallius and swings his cleaver at him, but the warrior ducks, as sparks fly from the blade hitting the wall behind him!
Pallius replies with a swing of his own! "Die damn you!" He curses at the bugbear!
Attack:
Damage:
Grizmoch deflects enough of the blow away so it bounces off his armor and skin with minimum effect!
Hobgoblin takes another shot at Lhuar but misses!
Grizmoch yells back at Pallius, "You first, human scum! I will wear your head as a trophy!" He swing his cleaver, but Pallius brings up his greataxe and blocks the blow, the 2 combatants staring eye to eye for a second, before pushing each other back!
"Stop moving out of the way. You will eventually die anyway."
attack:
damage:
"I need a new bow."
Growling at the bugbear, "I'm tired of dancing with you damned goblins!" As he brings his greataxe around again for another strike!
Attack:
Damage:
Pallius' blow is true, as Grizmoch's head flies off its shoulders, hitting the wall above Lhuar's head! Its body crumples in a heap!
The last remaining hobgoblin retreats to the far wall in fear but like a cornered animal, fights on, plugging Pallius in the chest with an arrow and yelling at him in Goblin!
Charge J6:
Attack:
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-2 AC
attack:
damage:
Lhuar's arrow bounces off and the hobgoblin nimbly avoids Pallius' charge. He drops his bow and draws his sword, slashing at the off-balance Pallius. but his blow bounces off the warrior's armor! He then steps to K6.
"How many of you bastards are there!?" As Pallius swings again in frustration!
Attack:
Damage:
Pallius' axe embeds itself in the hobgoblin's chest, ending the danger!
That is why I had +6 before, but then I was asked before I could not remember. I don't normally play dwarves.
I think I will remember from now on.
Once the sounds of combat die down, Ishiro asks, "Is it safe to come down now?" He comes down the stairs and sees the beheaded bugbear and the dead hobgoblin and the broken safe. "So this is what they after? Jewels and coins...They kill a whole family and staff and destroy everything I hold dear for that?!" He kicks the dead bugbear's corpse out of anger. "Not fair..."
Limping across the room, Pallius will look for Jerod's smelling salts.. "Now where did he put those...." as he rummages around his things.
Will uncork and apply to the bard and cleric. "Work you trinket! Work!" He whispers.
Propping himself up against a wall, Pallius gingerly touches the arrow still embedded in his chest, wincing at the pain. "So what are you going to do now?"
"Inform the dottari, I'm sure they'll want to conduct an investigation. After that, I have no idea. I have some coin saved up. Look for work maybe with another family. What about you guys?"
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Rolling his eyes at the words 'dottari' and 'investigation' "And what will happen to all... of this?" Sweeping a mailed hand around the room.
"I don't know if the Levingtons have any living heirs or if they established a will. I assume if not, the estate will pass to the city to pay off any creditors." Pallius finds the smelling salts and everyone is conscious.
"Will you and your comrades be spending the night?"
Naeli looked up from helping Pallius administer to their fallen comrades. "spend the night in a ransacked manor full of corpses? I suppose I've heard worse ideas..."
She shrugged, glancing around.
"But what is the meaning of all this? Hobgoblins in this district.....were the Levington's targeted? Were these creatures looking for something?"
She stood up then, feeling her anger growing, as the pain of her injuries, the stress of combat and the events since she had returned to the city all came to a head. Pointing an accusatory finger at Ishiro, she said "Just what were the Levingtons involved in? Why this attack?"
Ishiro's face tenses. "Though they have passed, I will not stand here and let you besmirch the good name of my former patrons. They were not involved in anything. They were good people and they did not deserve this. It is obvious the safe was target of these despicable goblins, as evident by the large hole in the side of the pedestal, the pickaxes on the floor, and that those two bodies are drenched in sweat. I don't know why this attack. I can only thank all of you for your help in meting out justice to them. I see it came at great cost personally to each of you. Now I have to clean up here so I can give a full accounting to the dottari in the morning. The rooms are upstairs, if you wish to rest." Solemnly, Ishiro begins to pick up all the jewels, coins, and scrolls laying on the floor and putting them back inside the pedestal.
Shaking his head: "That is why I don't understand Ishiro, you have all.... THIS!" Holding both arms open wide, "And had it taken from you by these, bastards." pointing at the goblinoid corpses.
"And you are just going to turn it all over to the dottari; start over from nothing? Have the government that let this happen turn some more coin?! What does relying on them do? It didn't save anyone tonight. Why not use your resources and do some good for the city that your patrons lived in." As he uses his greataxe to help himself stand.
"Do SOMETHING! Hire someone to strike back at the goblin infestation, build the family a monument, give it to the poor, but do something! Don't let it waste away in the scales of some quill pushing tax collector. We helped you tonight not because of your status, nor your station, but because you were a person in need of help! Now you have a chance to do the same for our beloved Westcrown who is in dire need of aid!" Pallius pleads.
Lhuar test the hobgoblin's bow to see if it is better than his, and takes any remaining arrows.
Ishiro hears Pallius' impassioned pleas.
Dipl:
Lhuar finds 16 arrows on the hobgoblin and his bow is the same quality as the dwarf's.
edit:ignore the dice roll. I had no intention of getting involved.
Diplo:
Ishiro sighs, "I will think on your words, warrior. But know this, I have grown from servant to mayordomo in this household over my 10 years of service. I believe in the rule of hierarchy and order and that it works, whether it's running a household or a government. I chose to live in this city and therefore, I must respect its laws and institutions. What you are asking is for me to break the law and I am not comfortable with that, though I understand the current predicament of the city. The shadow beasts, that's what's responsible. And I still hear news that the dottari die every once in awhile during the night at their claws. So, if the dottari are not responsible, then who is?"
"Shadowbeast don't enforce corrupt laws. While I respect your loyaltyt there are times when loyalty can be misplaced. This is one of them."
diplomacy:
edit:Oh now I get a low score.
Nodding, "I do not know who is responsible for the beasts, but for how many years have the beasts plagued us? And our protectors have been unable to stop it. I can not excuse the dottari from blame when they spend their time taking their liberties with good men and women. Where were they this night when you were in need? It is their duty to save the city and its citizens!"
Giving a smile he continues: "Luckily I have been 'blessed' with my station in this city, and am unfettered from the confines of the nobility. I'm just a loud mouth with an axe. But I must tell you, if you think it is bad here, there are others who suffer far worse. We have no protection during the day nor night, and have only ourselves to rely on."
"I would be rather labeled a criminal who tried to help the people who are suffering, than to stand by and do nothing. You have been dealt a cruel blow this night, and no through no fault from you nor your patrons. But think of the others who have no one to stand up for them, no one to come to their aid. They are the reason why I do what I can."
Clutching his side, which seems to have stopped bleeding by now, Jerod leans against the wall, his difficulty at standing evident. "What..what happened? Who?" he says groggily to no one in particular, then answers his own questions outload. "Oh..right. The goblins." He looks down at his own wounds, a pale grin on his face, "Nasty business, that..." He coughs weakly, then tries to muster his strength.
At Pallius' and Ishiro's discussion, he nods, agreeing with Pallius, but speaks up anyway. "Pallius is merely concerned, but his ideas are not without merit, Ishiro. While it would be unwise to break the law, as a loyal retainer of 10 years, you cannot deny that you have most certainly grown into the Levington family. You have risked your life to save them, and even though it was taken from your hands, were the Levingtons alive today I am certain they would wish you success in your future endeavors. To scrape together the last few coins in your possession and set about your own way would be unthinkable! Take your fair share my good man, for you have earned it this night," he adds, sweeping his hand outwards though he winces as he does so, "..and you'll find none amongst you here whom would argue that!"
He forces a smile. "It is not the law you break, good Ishiro, but the hearts of those who have called upon your service for ten long years, for they would certainly wish upon you all just due."
He takes a moment to steady himself, pausing as though in pain, gathering strength..or perhaps it was a masterful pause intended just so for dramatic flair. "You see, Ishiro, you see my blood, OUR blood, that has been spilled this night? It is to prevent just such heart ache as you have witnessed with your own two eyes! We stand amongst you in your time of crisis, we who are not the dottari, nay, we who are the people, who are the very LIFE of this once great city! Look amongst us and you will see we are all ordinary...but together we can be so much more!"
He then looks the man dead in the eyes, a serious look in his slate grey orbs, an edged tone on his lips. "A word is the most powerful thing any one man can possess, and his word should be more dear than life. I gave you my word...," he begins, then his chest heaves as he takes a winded breath, "...I gave you my word I would discover what undermines the innocent people of this city. A great many things I may be, but I always keep my word."
"Your words have moved me, Jerod. You are an expert at your craft. But I cannot in good conscience take my fair share of the Levingtons' gold and jewels for myself, as you say. I would not feel right. If they wanted to leave it to me, they would have included me in their will. As I know not its contents, I will learn upon my fate at its reading one day soon and I must respect their wishes. Then I will know how to proceed with my life. If they left me something of value, perhaps, I can do something for the betterment of the city, as you ask of me. I commend all of you for your beliefs and your bravery. I could not have asked so much of you today. I am honored to know you. If I can repay your gratitude, please let me know. I am glad the city has such wonderful defenders."
"I think the smelling salts will wear off soon. I recommend you stay the night, as it is past curfew and you are not in any shape for further combat. Please use the servants' quarters you passed (L20 and N20). There are two upstairs bedrooms as well, one for the family, one for the child. If you need anything, I can get supplies for you from the linen closet. However, I must alert the dottari first thing tomorrow morning of what has occurred here."
Thanking Ishiro for his hospitality, Pallius heads towards N20 to rest up for the night.
Nodding to Ishiro, Jerod turns to leave but then pauses mid hobble. With deliberation, he asks quietly, "...Ishiro, might I look upstairs for anything of use to better treat our wounds? I fear some of us may turn up worse for wear throughout the night."
Gregor opens his eyes for a second and with much difficulty manages the following words before expiring, "Sorry, I could not be more help...." Ishiro says, "I'm sorry for your loss, I'll clean up here. Have a look around upstairs and see if you can find something to soothe your pain." After the party has stripped the bugbear and the hobgoblin of his treasure, he remains behind to clean up. A few minutes later, Ishiro emerges from the room, locks the door to the trophy hall, and gets blankets and such for those who need it.
Lhuar says a prayer in honor of Gregor.
After the prayer he says, "You fought well. We will make sure your sacrifice was meaningful."
He then closes Gregor's eyes.
Jerod goes to hobble up the stairs, using the wall to steady himself as he looks around.
Jerod searches upstairs and finds 2 bedrooms, a private dining area, a family shrine to Abadar, and the laboratory. In the laboratory, he finds one potion marked healing, as well as a healer's kit.
Morning eventually comes and Ishiro gathers you all. "I thought about what you said and you did all risk your lives and lost one of your own in the process for the family, so I am sure they would want you to have this." He gives you each a pouch with 10 pp. He then summons the dottari, who are stunned by the news that hobgoblins were in the vicinity. They walk around the house, noting the different bodies and the massacre in the library. They investigate the basement as well, where among the treasures cataloged, they find the Levington will and take that into evidence. They question Ishiro at lengths and then gather the party. The dottari in charge, a man named Samuels, says, "Tragic events, the Levingtons were good people. Now, it seems pretty clear what happened here with these hobgoblins, but let me hear your version please."