Sure that Amon and Cormick are more than a match for a pack of goblins Cindy keeps moving West. <<I am moving to help with the Barghast. Please relay.>>
When she gets there she will continue down the Western passage looking for signs of the creature they seek. I have the speed to check ahead. You may want to check the doors before following.
these are probably just room that the first pack of goblin we fought were using. Please do go ahead we will be right behind you Cindy
Round 14
Double move inside the corridor
Listening to Cormick, Amon fires one last shot before backing up to AB13.
Let them come to their death as their lily-livered leader flees!
Cormick continues his evasive dodging to avoid being attacked by the misshapen goblin as Amon lands another arrow in the creature.
Snarling it continues to pursue after the fleeing bard, attempting to reach him with its teeth.
The archers at the bottom of the stairs persist in their attacks as well, but it is clear their skill with a bow is lacking.
Cindy, Aerin, and Vayga continue moving down the west corridor as quickly as possible. It continues straight onward, no variation in direction or elevation, and no more doors are seen beyond the first pair of three.
Having been given the 'go-ahead" by her team Cindy moves down the tunnel quickly, covering another 120' feet of it this next round, counting on her darkvision and keen perception to guide her.
Cindy speeds down the hall outpacing Aerin and Vayga. 100 feet, 200 feet, 300 feet. The hall keeps on going. On the ground though she spots a small pool of fresh blood, and a trail of it heading farther westward.
If the Message spell is still operating she will report in what she sees.
Amon waits for the creature chasing Cormick to come to the edge of the room and then unleashes a volley of arrows.
Once Aerin arrive to the point in the corridor where she spots the pool of fresh blood she and vayga will follow it
Cindy should be able to catch it and then slow it or put it to sleep. Lets keep rushing
Round 15
Cormick once more stays in a defensive posture, relying on Amon's deadly accuracy, and tumbles back once more.
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On Going Effects: Message x3, 35 min; Heroism, 45 min; Comprehend Languages, 9 min; Blur, 6 min; Eagle's Splendor, 10 rds (+2 DC of all Spells and Bardic Abilities); Dancing Lights, 1 rds (repeating); Total Defense (+6 AC from Acrobatics)
Amon's first shot drops the creature. The four archers at the bottom turn and flee back into the darkness of the larger cave.
Another 80' westward and you come to a split in the corridor. The narrow 5' passage of smooth stone continues on, but on the north is a 15' wide opening of rough rock walls. A set of rails runs down the center and a mine cart is lying half off the rails blocking part of the passage. The trail of blood leads into the northern passage. A dull murmur of noise comes from that direction.
hmm. Barghasts are likely pretty smart. Smart enough to try to throw me off its track. Which way… The thing did not know that I was flying.hmm…
Taking a moment to examine the evidence Cindy concludes it is the same trail. The creature is badly wounded given the amount of blood loss, though there is less blood here then where she first found the trail.
Still suspicious, Cindy will cast Invisibility on herself before entering the North tunnel. She does not know enough about her query to feel confident with her pursuit.
The mine tunnel slowly veers westward and slightly down, and soon numerous side passages can be seen branching off on both sides. The rails continue down the main passage.
Cormick will recast Dancing Lights, as 4 small orbs, Cure Light Wounds on himself, and Detect Magic as he quickly searches the goblin bodies.
"Amon, what say you to us piling the corpses up with the tunnel entrance to the lower cave section? At least that could create a temporary block to protect our rear."
"Also, are you wounded, Amon?
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On Going Effects: Message x3, 35 min; Heroism, 45 min; Comprehend Languages, 9 min; Blur, 6 min; Dancing Lights, 10 rds (repeating);)
As Cormick is stacking up the corpses, we quickly remove any loot they may have.
He will take particular note of what is on the deformed goblin and the shaman's bodies.
I wonder where the rest of them are now?
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On Going Effects: Message x3, 30 min; Heroism, 40 min; Comprehend Languages, 4 min; Blur, 1 min; Dancing Lights, 10 rds (repeating);
Looting the bodies of the goblins and hobgoblins rewards a small collection of treasure.
The hobgoblin leaders greatsword and chain shirt are of exceptional quality and the shaman's cloak consists of a single piece of thick bear fur. Despite the somewhat dirty conditions of the passage and goblin den the cloak shows no signs of filth.
After we gather up the loot, cast a detect magic on the exceptional gear and see that the others have not returned.
"We should go find them Amon. They may need our assistance if they have not returned yet."
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On Going Effects: Message x3, 30 min; Heroism, 40 min; Comprehend Languages, 4 min; Blur, 1 min; Dancing Lights, 10 rds (repeating);
Aerin and vayga will continue to follow the blood trail
Lead the way Cormick.
Amon packs the items in his backpack and then notches another arrow.
Vayga and Aerin reach the mine entrance, with no sign of Cindy in sight.
Amon and Cormick begin heading down the western passage to reach the rest of the group.
Listening intently you can distinguish two separate sources of noise.
The first is the guttural sounds of goblins shouting, but still far distant. The second is the sound of rushing water, a constant thrum of noise.
From this position you are unable to determine from which direction either sound is coming.
Reluctantly Cindy returns to Aerinand Vayga. Speaking quietly to them she briefs them about the chase and the maybe too obvious blood trail. So I have lost the trail at this point and thought it better to rejoin with the group.
Thank you, it might be obvious but i still intend to follow it. Mind going forward since you can fly and are invisible?
The blood trail does seem to go this way, but once into the tunnel there are many branches. I can go have a look but thing someone needs to wait here for the others. If I take a branch I'll leave a clear mark on the stone or dirt on the passage. With that Cindy flies into the tunnel looking for signs of barghest.
Farther north the wide mine passage splits. A old and rusted switch mechanism in the rails rests at the split. It takes Cindy a few moments to find a few drops of blood leading into the right passage.
The sound of flowing water can be heard coming from the left passage, while the right is where the garble of guttural voices emanates.
Coming up the narrow passage that lead to the mine Amon and Cormick soon catch up to the group.
Aerin and Vayga still follow as fast as they can.
Scratching a clear mark on the ground where the the passage to the right veers off Cindy continues down that passage.
The passage continues on for 100, 200, 300 yards, and still continuing to descend. Small side passages breaking off to both left and right where the miners from long ago chased after small veins of ore. As you continue the ground shows signs of litter and refuse, increasing in amount. The babble of noise becomes louder. This is not a small pocket of goblins you are approaching you realize but rather of host of them judging by the multitude of shouts.
When Cormick can see Aerin and Vayga, he will cast Message on them, Amon and himself. And then inform them of what happened back in the last large room.
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On Going Effects: Message, 60 min, (Aerin, Amon, Vayga, Cormick); Heroism, 35 min; Dancing Lights, 10 rds (repeating);
Onward then !
Unless Cindy perceives a massive army surging towards her she proceeds down the tunnel to have a look. {i]This could be an illusion.[/b] she thinks as she moves forward, skimming the ceiling as she flies.
The noise of the goblins is not getting any closer and rounding another bend Cindy can make out a source of light coming from ahead.
The mine tunnel breaks open into a natural cavern where 40 or 50 goblins mill about donning crude leather armor, grabbing blades and bows. A half dozen lanterns hanging from rock protrusions at various points in the cavern providing a good deal of light. A hobgoblin wearing simple clothes and no weapons is near the mouth of the cavern shouting orders.
Do any of the creatures appear to be wounded?
Taking time to look through the mass of bodies Cindy looks for any with severe wounds. Nothing catches her eye as the goblins continue to make preparations.
As she watches the hobgoblin starts gesturing to the closest goblins and in a moment a ten of the small wiry humanoids start moving up the mine tunnel in Cindy's direction, bows drawn. Additional groups of goblins start forming up into ranks.
Cindy will fly back rapidly to warn the others.
it is fine we shall engage them. Amon, comrick and Vaga we shall be forming a triangle with me at the front. Cindy unless you have AoE spells left stay invisible and heal us is needed, keep looking for our target. Vayga fight defensively this is going to be a long fight and we have very limited healing
I am no great healer, but do have a wand of Cure Light Wounds. She confirms. And I have a few useful spells remaining. Who is currently wounded. As she says this she will use the wand on Aerin.
We are all Fine thanks cindy. i am just anticipating the battle ahead, as we dive in that big swarm of goblins
I am fine, thank you Cindy. I will aid as much as I can as we continue to clear these goblins, but I am a better negotiator than a fighter."
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On Going Effects: Message, 60 min, (Aerin, Amon, Vayga, Cormick); Heroism, 35 min; Dancing Lights, 10 rds(repeating);