Tora no Senaka - The Back of the Tiger (Inactive)

Game Master Dreaming Warforged

"Hmmmmm. Cleansing fire may not be a bad idea...If I had to guess, the largest building is probably the town hall, or chieftain's hall perhaps. I imagine that there will be a great many goblins in the hall. It might be wise to smoke them out. I don't suggest that we burn the building down , as we will not be able to recover the ears, but if we use smoke, we can disable them or drive them into a trap. Then again, charging in and surprising them may work too, especially as we can use the fireworks to our advantage."

I bet I can lash all three tubes together and fire them at the same time...I bet that would surprise the goblins...

Izumi examines the corpse hanging from the mast. "This goblin doesn't look like he was killed in combat... some sort of ritual sacrifice perhaps?" Izumi looks disgusted. "You're a resident mystic Garand... what do you make of it?"

Garand looks at the crucified goblin, "Were this a Shoanti rite, the person suspended would be up there willingly, proving themselves in a test of endurance. With goblins, I suspect instead that something has the goblins frightened, such as an undead threat, and, superstitiously, they have sacrified one of their own to propitiate or ward off this threat, or to appeal to their own gods to protect them from it."

He pauses to rub bear-spirit's neck again. "But these are goblins. Perhaps it is best to not attempt to find logic in their doings. This could simply be the end of some horrible and brutal game they were playing for their own entertainment"...

"Point taken, Garand. From what we have seen of them so far, attempting to understand the thoughts of goblins, must be akin to staring full into a well of insanity."

Pavel spits on the ground.
"Yuh'yeah. Cruh'crazy goblins are cruh'crazy. We gonna suh'smoke 'em out?"

"We should go in. Make sure they don't have any prisoners or slaves.", says Raith, "We know how they are."

Sorin searches around the grounds for a few moments for a length of twine. Working quickly, he lashes the three tubes together in a bundle so all three fireworks tubes point the same direction. Then he carefully twines the firing mechanism together, such that all three fireworks can be ignited simultaneously.

While the others are discussing, Soring toys around with the tubes. Having no special knowledge of fireworks, Sorin does his best to tie the three, solely based on the other firework he saw operating earlier. As everything seems ready to go, he realizes that he's still uncertain as to the behavior the completed work will have. While the previous shot sparks from its opening, these have a different shape altogether...

This looks like a dangerous experiment. Knowledge is often harvested at great cost...

Anyone has Knowledge (architecture and engineering)?
What's the plan for the building?

I think we should clear the big building first. Then we should probably find out what is in the hanging goblin's mouth. I don't have climb. So if anyone else has it, they would be the best ones to climb and cut it down.

"Poor creature. At least a sword grants a mercifully swift death to these miserable beasts. Perhaps we can cut him down." Izumi pauses, to consider. "I may be able to climb that mast, but not with my armor on. Give me a moment to remove it and I will see what I can do." Unless there are objections, Izumi will remove his armor and climb the mast, to attempt to cut the creature down.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

If Izumi has assistance to remove the armor, it only takes 30 seconds. With help, it will take 2 minutes to put the armor back on.

"Gods man! Not now! Think! We are still in a hostile camp and can get attacked at any moment. Let us deal with any possible remaining goblins first, then we can deal with the unfortunate on the post. It looks dead in any event." Sorin says, pointing at the grimace of death, buzzing flies and gouged out eyeballs.

Sorin kneels in the dirt, his finger sketching a silver-white fire on the bare ground as he chants under his breath. In seconds, the densly packed writing has coalesed into a silvery pool, from which a silvery tendril rises, and wraps around Sorin's arm. Sorin raises his arm over his head before bringing his palm down to slap the pool spewing the radiance outwards. As Sorin stands, the droplets coalesce into a circle with arcane writing around the periphery that moves with Sorin in the center.

Protective Ward: 10' radius, +1 deflection bonus to AC

"Enough distractions, let us be about our business."

Slightly abashed, Izumi lowers his head momentarily. Bodies killed in combat he could deal with... but this... this wasn't right. Didn't feel right. Still, Sorin was ever practical. Izumi nodded ascent and drew his weapons as Sorin cast his spell. "I shall be more cautious this time, we got into a bad spot in the last fight."

You all stand in front of the double door, perhaps gigantic for a goblin, but quite regular men. The door remains stubbornly closed though. It seems angry looks won't do it...

Sorin, it's a great idea to tie them together, as long as you figure out how to use them safely. For now, it's a 50% chance to do it wrong. At least your int roll allowed you to figure out the danger.

I don't think anyone has the means to pick the lock or check for traps. Let Pavel and Izumi force the door.

No one has checked the door yet.

In the absence of anyone else taking the initiative, Garand will step forward and strike the door with his twisted hand, as if issuing a challenge, and then stepping back, head tilted, and listening for some reaction.

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

From behind the door, a shrieking fearful voice yells out:

"Sounds like a goblin," Garand says unnecessarily, "Perhaps the next intended sacrifice?"

"If you please, Garand, do you mind seeing if you can open the door?"

Sorin after careful consideration of the odds, has packed away the fireworks in the waterproof bag. He decided that as he needs his hands to work magic, it would be unfortunate to have them, or a digit or two, blown off. He instead stands near his companions, with loaded crossbow, watching Garand at the gate.

Garand uses his shield-hand to attempt to pull the door open, standing to the side, in case the goblin(s) on the other side have readied spears or bows.

"Keep n'n'knocking on it. I'll luh'look around the suh'suh'side- c'mon Ruh'Raith, back me up."

Pavel circles the building, staying low and quiet, looking for another entrance.
Stealth w/armor penalty: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 3 = 5
Over the Christmas ornaments and marbles strewn around, pausing to kick a tin can that crosses his path..

Raith follows Pavel like a shadow.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Garand pulls at the door and meets resistance. The door are locked, from what he fells from oulling, probably with a wooden beam laying across the doors.

Pavel and Raith, looking at the side of the building, notice that they would have to drop from the wooden walkway to the swamp 8 feet below. From you point of view, everything seems covered by water and it's hard to tell the actual depth.

"Well, if you can't open the door, I think that we are back to smoking them out."

Let's smoke them out.

"We could always simply smash the door. I've no doubt the construction is flimsy." Izumi balks at such an honourless tactic.

"I don't care how we get in, but let's get in and finish this.", says Raith. "We should also take one alive to question. If some other enemy is about, we best learn what it is."

"Smash the door," Garand agrees, lending his aid to whomever appears to be ready to make the intent. "We gain nothing by burning the place before we know the situation."

Strength check or Aid Other to someone else's, as appropriate 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

With Garand's help, Izumi lines up and rams the door with his shoulder.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 for a total of 18 with Garand's help.

Garand and Izumi crash loudly in the door of the goblin hall, but the door shakes violently, but stubbornly remains between the companions and the goblins.

From the hall, several goblins shriek seemingly in unison.

"Does anyone understand them? They seem to be screaming instead of fighting back. Cowards though they are... it seems a bit strange."

Pavel shrugs and puts his shoulder to the door.
Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Seeing that Pavel has built up a head of steam, Izumi also throws his weight against the door:

Aid Another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Raith says, "They're screaming about giving something back. Sounds like they looted some people and those people might have been the ones that started the killing before we arrived. I'll see if I can knock one out, so we can question it.".

The bar holding the double doors locked cracks loudly under the combined weight of Pavel and Izumi. Behind the doors stand three shaking goblins who realize quickly that you’re not the demons they expected but some tasty humans. Fear gives way to glee as they raise their shields and their dogslicers.

Behind them, a door stands closed on your left. The back wall is adorned with a wide variety of trophies: nailed small furry animals, birds and snakes of different sizes. A dog heads stands proudly in the middle of the wall. In the corner, a tall throne rises high, a big stuffed horse head standing on top and torches on both sides. On the throne stands a pudgy goblin with fireworks and a bow in his hands. Chief Gutwad wears a proud crown made of human hair spiked up with yolks and red mud. A wide smile adorned with razorsharp teeth expands beneath his glowing little red eyes...

Initiative Order:
Goblins
Pavel, Raith and Izumi
Chief Gutwad
Sorin and Garand

Round 1 - The goblins
The three goblins charge forth and attack Pavel and Izumi.

Updated Map
Pavel, Raith and Izumi next, then Chief Gutwad.

Wanting to immediately jump at the Chief, Izumi instead focuses on the problem at hand. Break through the lines. Izumi lashes out against the goblin directly in front of him, trying to open a way to the chief. Two weapon fighting, in Sorin's ward: AC17

Longsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 (1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5)
Spiked Shield 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 (1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3)

Raith falls into the Crane Stance and awaits a clear path to attack.

Total Defense: AC 21/CMD 23

Pavel lays into the goblin blocking his path.
Longsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Round 1 - Pavel, Izumi and Raith

The melee rages on, yet none of the fighters have found an opening.

Round 1 - Chief Gutwad
With glee, Chief Gutwad lights up a firework, the same kind Sorin was toying with lately. The tube shakes and fumes as the goblin holds it at arms length beside him, pointing it at the group...

Sorin and Garand next. No change to the map.

Garand steps back and retrieves his bow.

Which should take his entire action.

Are there any un-held fireworks near the Chief? Also, I cannot see the map right now, so please move me into an unthreatened position where I can shoot at the chief.

That cannot be good, we should probably focus on the chief... Sorin snaps a shot at the chief, his crossbow twanging.

Attack chief 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Crit confirm 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 BOOOOO!!!!
Damage 1d8 ⇒ 2

Round 1 - Garand and Sorin
While Garand retrieves his bow, Sorin moves sideways to get a shot at the Chief. His lucky arrow flies through the raging melee and hits the Chief, drawing a little blood.

Round 2 - The Goblins
The three goblins press on their attacks on Pavel and Izumi.

Their wicked blades find only air as they swing through...

Two other fireworks lay on the throne beside him, vertical and on both sides of the throne.
Updated Map
Pavel, Raith and Izumi next, then Chief Gutwad.

Raith maintains the Crane Stance. He runs up Pavel's back and attempts to a flip behind the goblin Pavel is fighting flanking with him.

Total Defense: AC 21/CMD 23

Move through enemy square without provoking AoOs against two enemies Action: Acrobatics 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Raith makes it to the other side.

Izumi realizes his shield or armor won't be much protection against the firework, but doesn't see any other option but to continue the attack. Izumi slices upwards and spins, smashing with the shield, using Raith to flank if possible, otherwise striking at the goblin he wounded already.

Longsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 (1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6)
Spiked Shield: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 (1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3)

Pavel swings at the goblin in front of him before taking cover behind the doorframe.
Longsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Taking a five foot step over to H3.5 to break Gutwad's line of sight.

Round 2 - Izumi, Raith and Pavel
Lots of metal against metal, but it seems the companions have not yet found their rhythm. Yet, through all that, Raith takes advantage of an opening provided by Izumi’s failed attack and rolls behind the goblin line. One of them laughs hard at the maneuver, seemingly forgetting about more pressing matters...

Round 2 - Chief Gutwad
His firework shakes violently, and you can see a glimpse of fear as Gutwald hopes to harness such destructive power. Sparks fly as the whole tube, instead of spitting sparks, starts instead forward in a whooshing sound and a shower of sparks.

The pudgy goblin cackles with glee and takes his longbow to fire arrows at Raith:

Raith’s stance proves enough to sidestep the two arrows. Clearly, the chief knows his way around a longbow...

Updated Map
Sorin and Garand next, then the goblins.

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
So that's 3 hp to me.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Oh, so close. Izumi is at 1 hp.

Garand Ref save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
bear-spirit Ref save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Burned both by the fire and the shared sensation of pain from his link to bear-spirit, Garand orders the cub to attack the goblin directly ahead of it charge to attack goblin 1, AC drops to 12 because of the charge while he fires an arrow at the goblin chieftan.

arrow at goblin chief 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
piercing damage 1d6 ⇒ 2

bear spirit bite on goblin 1 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
bite damage 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4