Alandrian Verium |
Ali frowns before standing up and moving over to stand behind Cleo, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I agree with Cleo. The Goblin can be an asset. And we can keep an eye on her at all times. It will be fine."
Cleo Gingerberry |
Cleo beams the brightest smile you've ever seen from her, which is saying a lot. Thank you Ali she whispers.
Cleo Gingerberry |
Another smile, though a little worry mares it at the thought of Aggar pasted on a wall. Still if she was to have faith in the goblin, she'll have to accept wariness from others, even those she trusts.
Cleo Gingerberry |
Thank you Furnok the image of goblin paste, made her forget her manners for a moment.
Maria the Great |
Fine but I'll be scouting ahead.And I don't want her knowing I'm there. Anybody know any trail symbols I can mark traps and ambushes with?
Helgarr |
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"See? I knew that goblin did something to her!" Vandra exclaimed as Cleo requested that Aggah joined them. "That damn thing got its hooks into her and now wants to sells us to its tribe!"
"Come now Vandra" - Helgarr laughs - "You need to give more credit to our Cleo", then turns to the halfling.
"Let us make sure Aggah understands how things will work - I will not go on again about how a defeated foe can be taken in, and even made an equal if proven trustworthy. But if she proves the contrary, I will forget that we spared her" - Helgarr nods at Cleo - "Maybe this is the path this goblin needs to follow, and the reason why we did not execute her in the first place"
Cleo Gingerberry |
Cleo ooos and aaaas over Furnok demonstration of the rare cutlery form of trail markers, only hearing of it in legend before.
And gives Helgarr a quick hug for understanding. Running off to fetch Aggar from the prison. They agreed Cleo tells the goblin enthusiastically, also informing the sheriff that she was taking the prisoner to help stop the threat from Thistletop.
Helgarr |
Helgarr returns Cleo's hug, and goes with her to the prison.
Vandra Geaux |
"No good will come of this, mark my words," Vandra muttered darkly as Helgarr and Cleo went to the prison to get the creature's release. Even Jeaux was looking at her son questioningly at his blatant hatred.
For the record, I have no idea where this hatred of goblins is coming from, but I'm gonna go with it.
Maria the Great |
Maria looks over at Vandra. Come with me then. I need someone to watch my back anyways.
DM TreasureFox |
At the garrison, the jailer Vachedi opens the cell door. "You have made a good choice, I think. My people would be proud to see this example of kindness over wrath and hatred."
Aggah walks out of the jail cell and looks up, way up, at Helgarr. She takes Cleo's hand and says "Aggah help, yes?"
Cleo Gingerberry |
Yes, Aggah, we would welcome it. Thank you Vachedi, we hope to see you soon. she introduced Aggah to Helgarr, and waits to see what the large woman wants to say to the little one.
Helgarr |
Introduce? Am I dreaming or was this the goblin we captured in the Glassworks, which Helgarr carried around all bundled up for a loooong time? And for whom she paid 5 gold to feed? Or do you mean it is the first time Helgarr hears the goblin's name? :D
"We meet again Aggah" - the barbarian nods - "I hope you remember our last conversation, and that you realize the chance you are being given" - she moves closer to the small one - "You have a long path ahead of you if you want to gain our trust, if that is even what you seek" - the barbarian frowns - "Tread that path carefully if you wish to succeed"
Good to go :D
Cleo Gingerberry |
yep, she meant former introductions, with names.
DM TreasureFox |
Aggah responds in goblin, since she's spoken with Helgarr in that language previously. "Yes. Aggah understands. Aggah will help Cleo and Cleo's allies kill Thistletop tribe. Then Aggah gain ally's trust, yes? If Aggah gain trust, then Aggah will live. Thistletop have lots o lots of dangers, but Aggah knows them."
Vachedi smiles and says "I pray the spirits and gods guide you all."
Vachedi and Hemlock bid them farewell, and safe travels.
Maria the Great |
Maria turns to Ali. You made your choice to trust the goblin. I made mine not to.
Alandrian Verium |
"Yeah it ain't trusting the Goblin, it is about you two probably getting found, caught and killed. But sure, make it about paranoia instead!" Ali shrugged before heading off to check his gear.
Still gotta level up. Gonna do that tonight.
Vandra Geaux |
"Dunno if I'm sneaky enough to scout ahead with you, I'd probably step on every twig and dry leaf in the forest," Vandra said with a frown. "Besides, with everybody else making friends with the goblin, someone's gotta keep an eye on it."
Cleo Gingerberry |
Are we ready to depart? Cleo would argue Maria being alone in a land swarming with goblins, but she holding in her mothering nature to not appear like a hypocrite.
DM TreasureFox |
Shalelu steps in and offers to spot Maria while she scouts. Shalelu says that she has been scouting the goblin lands for years now, but this will be a first when she enters Thistletop territory.
Grunyar is about to speak when Cleo, Helgarr, and Aggah enter the Inn. "What in the bloody hell is that thing doin here!?" He yells in astonishment. Shalelu seems to grimace.
Helgarr |
Aggah responds in goblin, since she's spoken with Helgarr in that language previously. "Yes. Aggah understands. Aggah will help Cleo and Cleo's allies kill Thistletop tribe. Then Aggah gain ally's trust, yes? If Aggah gain trust, then Aggah will live. Thistletop have lots o lots of dangers, but Aggah knows them."
In goblin:
"We will see Aggah, we will see..."/B] - The barbarian nods.
Vachedi smiles and says [b]"I pray the spirits and gods guide you all."
Vachedi and Hemlock bid them farewell, and safe travels.
"Farewell to you - stay safe"
Shalelu steps in and offers to spot Maria while she scouts. Shalelu says that she has been scouting the goblin lands for years now, but this will be a first when she enters Thistletop territory.
Grunyar is about to speak when Cleo, Helgarr, and Aggah enter the Inn. "What in the bloody hell is that thing doin here!?" He yells in astonishment. Shalelu seems to grimace.
"Please do not be alarmed" - Helgarr steps forward - "The goblin is our prisoner and guide"
Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
DM TreasureFox |
Very nice Diplomacy
"Argg" Groans Grunyar in frustration, he rolls his beady brown eyes.
Shalelu puts her hand on his shoulder. "Come now, Grunyar. Even you have to admit there is no better scout to the Thistletops than a Thistletop goblin."
"Aye." Responds Grunyar, defeated. "But I ain't the only one who sees how this could go bad real quick, right?"
"No. You're not." Shalelu answers. "But I trust my friend's judgement, and so should you."
Aggah hides behind Cleo and says in a fearful voice (Goblin) "The Watcher. It watches from distance. Always watching, listening. Kills Goblins in sleep. Never hear it coming. The wolfbeard. Kills so many Goblins. Always chasing us, killing us, eating us."
Cleo Gingerberry |
I love the whole seeing them from the other side, treasure! heroes turned monsters in the monsters eyes.
Cleo whispers back in goblin, They were enemies, Aggah. Now they are not. You're with us, and no one will try and hurt you. she consoles her to the best of her ability, though the eating us bit turns her stomach sharp to the left.
DM TreasureFox |
Thanks, Cleo. I do too.
"Aggah stay with Cleo." she says, reassuring herself.
Grunyar stretches then clasps his hands together. "Right. So best we get on with it, eh? I'll get me girls and meetcha at the front. Poor beasties, they'll be droolin the whole trip, heh."
Shalelu addresses the rest. "I suggest we travel on foot, if that suits the rest of you. We're going into pretty thick bush, so the horses would have a hard time. I hope you're all set. This won't be easy."
Last call before we jump to the borders of the Thistletop lands.
Vandra Geaux |
I agree, I love that scene.
Giving a dirty look at the goblin, Vandra moved over to Shalelu and Grunyar. "I'm with you, I really don't like this," he told the older man. "But, unfortunately, I'm overruled on this. Still, if it does betray us, we'll be ready."
I'm good to go.
Maria the Great |
Maria takes Shalelu's arm and motions towards the door.
DM TreasureFox |
"Aye, that we'll be." Says the Dwarf, looking up into Vandra's eyes. "Least we got ourselves a good sized group. Still outnumbered 5 to 1, but with the two hunters teamin up with the Goblin Slayers, I betcha they'll be quakin in fear." He looks from side to side, then back at Vandra. With a whisper, he says "Wanna meet my two girls? They's be waitin for me at the stables."
"Maria and I will start scouting ahead. We'll meet you on the road."
Maria. You can make your perception and stealth checks now. If you want, you can choose to take 10, as Shalelu will.
Shalelu Perception: 12+10=22
Shalelu Stealth: 15+10=25
Helgarr |
"Grunyar, I did not know you were going to join us" - Helgarr smiles - "It is good to have you, as I don't think one cannot find a better ally to find goblins, than a dwarf"
Did I miss something? I didn't know he was coming :D
Good to go btw.
DM TreasureFox |
Originally I was going to have you guys pick between Shalelu and Grunyar, but I didn't really give Grunyar much "screen time". Plus, looking at it now, I can't see why he'd refuse to take part in the raid. Sure he doesn't like Shalelu's methods, but he's not selfish enough to leave Sandpoint at risk.
While the group is on the road, Grunyar responds to Helgarr.
"Hah! A dwarf's the best ally for anything!" Grunyar exclaims. "Well, I can't letcha have all the fun. I spent too much time on the defense in the Farmlands. Now, I get to pay the little bastards with a visit of my own."
Maria, could you also roll a Survival check for me? Thanks
Helgarr |
"Heh, you may be right there, only better ally one can have is a Shoanti to be honest" - the woman laughs in a good mood.
DM TreasureFox |
Maria Stealth = 8+10=18
Maria Perception = 5+10=15
Maria Survival = 0+10=10
It takes the group roughly two hours before they reach the Thistle River, next to Nettlewood. Maria and Shalelu don't spot anything nefarious during their scouting, and the group meets up. Aggah has been fairly well behaved, but she has been talking to Cleo the entire time. Mostly about the various Goblins, their names, and their bad habits.
Grunyar is first to speak when the group meets up. "Right. Now we gotta get through the Nettlewoods before we're up to Thistletop."
"Between all our woodsmen, it shouldn't take too much time, perhaps an hour or two." Says Shalelu. "From what I've been told, you've all been here before, correct? I heard that master Vandra got caught in some poisonous vines." She chuckles.
Those of you who are trained in Survival, please make a skill check. The higher we get, the faster you make it through the woods.
Shalelu Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Grunyar Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Helgarr |
Pfffft...
Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Vandra Geaux |
Blushing slightly at Shalelu's teasing words, Vandra said, "It was a very...itchy experience, and one I hope to avoid this time around." Looking around the woods, Vandra tried to find the offending vine to avoid touching it.
Maria the Great |
Maria pats Vandra's shoulder. You know, with your luck so far you probably shouldn't have said that.
DM TreasureFox |
Okay, maybe not that low.
Time: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1hour
Chance1: 1d100 ⇒ 17fail
Character: 1d13 ⇒ 8... Vandra... why...
Fort or KNature(Fort): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14pass
Just as Maria says that, Vandra nearly trips into THE SAME BUNCH OF VINES that he did last time. Fortunately, this time he saw it coming at the last second.
The group travels through the Nettlewood without any other incidents, with Grunyar taking the lead and Shalelu covering the back. Part way through, Aggah points to an elusive pathway that shaves off an hour of travelling.
The briars and thistles that grow so rampantly in Nettlewood are even more dense and tangled here, close to the shore. Although not quite dense enough to block the sound of waves crashing on the unseen shores to the west, the undergrowth is certainly thick enough to block sight and access to the coast. Few trees grow this close to the edge of the sea, but the briars themselves often reach heights to rival them; here, the patch is nearly twenty feet high.
Here, Aggah points to one part of the undergrowth and says in Common "Door."
Cleo Gingerberry |
A door? Where does it lead? Cleo says to Aggah.