Hack picks up the Musket, and he aims at the nearest goblin from a position of cover.
How do I shoot this contraption?
Kristin turns and gives you a glance -
"Keep it level, make sure the barrel is straight and the opening for the enemy's heart! Keep the other side flush against your chest - when you're ready, pull that trigger mechanism by your finger; but watch out - it'll have a kick to it," she says quickly.
Hack fires the Musket, very unsure of himself.
Two goblin archers have fallen; the remaining two goblins seem eager to press the attack, but the wargs don't like that plan, it seems.
The pack turns and flees up the trail where they came from beyond your site leaving you in relative safety.
Kristin takes a deep breath and glances around.
"Damn - well; at least they're gone..." she says.
"If Taiss's is right that means there's a basecamp up the trail - likely they've gone back to warn their chief what happened here and possibly fortify their position."
"That said, you may be able to move up on them and catch them on the ground moving through the trees - if you're slick," she adds.
"Okay - so here's my suggestion - take a boat back to the shore and do what you can to search those bodies - don't forget your mate's gear, if you can. They left it on the ground when they were pinched."
"I'll stay on the ship and cover the beach from here and keep an eye out for Johnny - he should be here in about an hour or so... maybe..."
"Do what you can to get in there and see what you can to do to bust 'em out."
She rubs her chin, thinking a moment.
"It's said that a man judges others on the same scale that he weighs himself... I hope that's true... see; if the goblins think you're anything like them, they may figure we'll sail off without our mates 'cause that's likely what the goblins themselves would probably do... And if that's the case than maybe they won't have much of a watch... maybe..."
"If that's the case, you may be able to get in their quick and quiet-like and help your friends..."
"I don't know - but I wouldn't wait to find out," she adds.
Aye, then lets get to the beach again, and search those bodies and get on their trail.
Hack jumps into the boat, ready to move to shore.
C'mon everyone.
When they reach the shore Hack will grab up his thrown axe and assist in pulling the boat ashore. he will then aid Taissa in tracking the animals she seeks to gather as allies.
So, Tai, what kind of animal tracks are ya lookin' for?
He will then search the bodies, keeping a special eye out for healing potions.
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The metal is bronze. It weighs the same as silver, but because of the process to make it, it is worth 1.5 the value of silver. So 10 bronze coins = 1.5 gold pieces.
The potion is a type of orc healing draught, you believe. If you take it, it will heal you - but it will also make you feel physically ill if you are not strong enough to endure its foul taste (full rules can be found in the spoilers for Geser/Stefan/Suny via their potions); not time to re-post it here.
The human suffered a death due to a combination of things; it looks like his muscles were locked up - likely due to a type of poison - but the true cause of death seems to be asphyxiation. His chest looks like it was almost crushed - especially around his ribs and lungs - as if something crushed him enough to keep him from being able to take a breath.
This is how you suspected he died.
The man looks as if he was killed by a large snake - but there is no snake large enough to do this kind of damage to a man this big that is native to this part of the world.
That said - it couldn't possibly have been a snake that killed him; because - based on the wounds - the snake would have had to have at least a 1 foot diameter to its torso and been roughly 20-30 feet in length.
Since there's no such snake that is native to this part of the world, it's clear that the man must have died from some other cause - but what it is you don't know.
Though you may be able to figure things out with some good guesswork...
Suny does little more than groan, shiver and otherwise feel terrible.
Taissa takes her pack and weaponry and calls Daya. She asks Daya to fly back to the shore and wait there for them but to be cautious in case other enemy arrives.
She takes to the longboat with Hack and Polux. Daya greets her on the foreshore.
The two potions Hack found on the body of one of the goblins, Taissa has seen before and can identify easily. "I believe these are Orc healing draughts. They have a kick -- can fix you right up but taste foul and can cause sickness if one isn't strong enough to endure."
When the body of the human is discovered, Taissa attempts to determine the true cause but all she is able to gleam is
"A snake killed this man. Yet, a snake large enough to do this is not native to this land. The snake would have to be a foot wide in body and 20 to 30 ft long. It's strange. What do you think?" Taissa asks her companions.
Taissa picks up one of the longbows and tests it, noting its design for a smaller creature, but will make use of it as a backup weapon. She throws it over her shoulder.
She remembers Polux has a longbow and wonders if he would carry another, even with its drawback, "Polux, interested in this longbow? It is not designed for creatures our size but still can be useful."
"If you mean to do that to us, you'll take me first!"
He will not let his friends come to harm if at all possible, especially poor innocent Suny.
I will take one of those healing draughts now, if I can.
Taissa keeps her eye on Hack after he drinks the Orc healing draught. He seemed to have regained his vigour, but she wondered if he would succumb to the nausea and sickness from the foul concoction.
"If you feel sick, Hack, let me know."
Turning around to Polux, she asks, "Do you want the other healing draught?"
**************************************************************
Taissa decides it would be wise to get information from the air as the rest of them finished with the dead goblins and collecting articles/items they find.
Taissa will ask Daya to take to the skies and look out for any mountain lions, elk or wild horses in the area. "Do not search too far off or too close to the goblin camp. Fly back directly and tell me what animals you see, Daya, and where you saw them."
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When Daya is sighted returning to the group,
On the ground, Taissa will work with Hack and Polux to locate pertinent tracks, signs of wildlife in the winter landscape, determine weather for the next 24 hours, etc.
"The faster we find these animals and convince them to join our fight, the faster we locate our companions and rescue them."
Hack looking green around the gills, is clearly sickened by the draught.
Aye, Tai, I am feelin' like my innards are comin' out.
With a second look at Taissa and the foul draught, the man ponders his options, then decides to simply drink it and be done with it - "Bottoms up I guess..."
"This is foul..." - he gags momentarily but manages to maintain himself stable enough to down the full beverage, and gain from its healing powers - "But it did hit the spot" - he nods at his half-elf companion.
==============================
While Daya is scouting the area from the air, Polux offers his aid to Taissa and Hack in finding animal tracks on the ground.
Though apparently he seems to still be struggling against the foul taste in his mouth, and really cannot focus that much on the task at hand - "I'll stand watch" - he moves away, looking for a position to keep a watch for anemies approaching the beach.
Hack looking green around the gills, is clearly sickened by the draught.
Aye, Tai, I am feelin' like my innards are comin' out.
The colour in Hack's face had drained away and Taissa believed the man when he said he felt bad.
"It is foul stuff. You will feel like purging for the next ten minutes and then just feel sick until tomorrow. Breathe deeply in and out of your nose. You have to ride out this sickness, Hack. Keep your waterskin handy." Taissa felt sympathy for the large barbarian but in the snow it would be hard to find a plant that could aid with the nausea. Still, she would see if she could find one as she searched for tracks and alike.
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"This is foul..." - he gags momentarily but manages to maintain himself stable enough to down the full beverage, and gain from its healing powers - "But it did hit the spot" - he nods at his half-elf companion.
==============================
While Daya is scouting the area from the air, Polux offers his aid to Taissa and Hack in finding animal tracks on the ground.
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Though apparently he seems to still be struggling against the foul taste in his mouth, and really cannot focus that much on the task at hand - "I'll stand watch" - he moves away, looking for a position to keep a watch for enemies approaching the beach.
Taissa looked over at Polux and noted he was experiencing less issue with the draught than Hack. She nodded her head. "Good. It would be harder if both you and Hack were duly sickened."
When Polux moved to survey the foreshore, Taissa could see the glazed eyes and slight reaction to the draught and knew he wasn't going to be able to concentrate until the concoction settled in his stomach properly. "Polux, you better keep your waterskin handy as well."
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”Your plans do not matter – you shall die, and that is an end to it,” he says with a flat voice.
The half-orc looks at Geser with a sneer.
”Ah! I thought you at least would have more wisdom than these fools…” he says with his slow whispering voice.
”But if you wish to meet the Father first, than I shall see that you do…” he says with a grin.
”But it shall not happen yet – not until sundown… then you shall know suffering.”
He gives you a flat smile.
”We can afford to wait, you see… your friends fled back to their ship and have sailed off without you. You are alone – doomed… and death is coming for you…” he adds with a chuckle as all the goblins laugh.
As you, Polux and Hack advance through the snow you notice that the trees are not only cut to a nice path as a human might make, but they are rather ruthlessly hacked aside, as if someone cut them for the pleasure of hurting the trees and nature. Axe notches on bark and branch as well as cruel slices simply to show a personal feeling of vileness are present.
You suspect that is the goblin-kind that did this sort of wanton destruction simply for pleasure.
As you advance, you notice a small stream a few yards from the trail, and as you advance toward it you observe that there are some tracks in the snow. Pausing to study them, you observe that they are the tracks of a mountain lion.
As you advance into the woods you move with stealth and guile, knowing that they prefer to ambush their prey.
After about 20 minutes of walking you can smell a difference in the air, but you cannot see anything. Yet you sense you are close to you what you are seeking…
You are free to call out and see if the animal will respond.
"Whut d'ye mean might know misery? I be miserable now more'n enough ta last fer-ever..."
"The Spirits will be angered by such desecration of the land", she solemnly says in quiet voice to her companions.
When Taissa is close enough (or she gleams she is within some proximity), she stays Hack and Polux and begins making a series of non-threatening growls and mews. Searching among the foliage and snow-covered trees, she is hoping to cautiously draw out the hidden mountain lion and attempt to convince it she is friend and not hunter. She also takes a non-threatening stance but is ready in case the mountain lion attacks.
"I am Taissa. We are not invaders, great lion warrior. In the name of the Spirits, we seek audience and aid against a common enemy: the goblinkin. With respect I ask you to show yourself or allow me to draw closer."
Stefan waits for an opportune moment then whispers to Suny and Geser,
"I have a dagger in a wrist sheath. When the moment comes I will stab the half orc by surprise and then flip the dagger to Geser as both Suny and I have training in unarmed combat. We must drop the half orc quickly to hopefully dishearten the goblins."
Suny simply shudders, still curled up into her ball of misery.
"I am Taissa. We are not invaders, great lion warrior. In the name of the Spirits, we seek audience and aid against a common enemy: the goblinkin. With respect I ask you to show yourself or allow me to draw closer."
From the trees a heavy cracking and crunching can be heard. After a moment a crash through the branches and a large mountain lion hits the earth by your feet and stares at all of you, sniffing intently at Taissa.
”You speak of battle – that is good. You speak also of killing those who defile my hunting grounds – this is also good – and you have respect besides….” he says with a fierce growl moving toward you.
He moves into your face – the smell of his breath is strong and reeks of rotten meat – and when he opens his maw to growl it is nearly overpowering.
He snorts heavily on you, then.
”The men who hunt here are dead; but their tribe honored the lion, the bear and the wolf packs – and now all of those men have been killed by the goblin-kind...”
He snorts against the damp snow, a touch of anger on his face.
”You speak of killing – then let us go to kill…” he adds with calm finality and follows after you toward the village.
Stefan waits for an opportune moment then whispers to Suny and Geser,
"I have a dagger in a wrist sheath. When the moment comes I will stab the half orc by surprise and then flip the dagger to Geser as both Suny and I have training in unarmed combat. We must drop the half orc quickly to hopefully dishearten the goblins."
Geser turns to Stefan and whispers back. "Better if one of us could get our chain around his neck. They respect him too much to want him hurt, and he would essentially be our hostage."
Taissa turns to Polux and Hack and translates what was spoken between her and the lion, "He will join us to kill the goblinkin. He says their kind killed the tribe here that honoured the lion, bear and wolf packs."
Turning back to the mountain lion, Taissa bows her head and speaks in lion-speak,
After the mountain lion answers her, Taissa redirects her attention to Hack and Polux, "I am better with my bow and should remain in the back. Who will take lead? We must enter quietly and work together so they cannot surround us. Polux? Have you a plan that may work to draw them away from our companions and give us the advantage? Our mountain lion friend can wait hidden then spring and attack our enemy. He is a fine stalker."
Hack nods in affirmation at the beast.
Aye, Taissa, I am not so light on my feet. Polux would be much better at sneakin' in, but I will be ready for a frontal attack when you need it.
Polux shifts somewhat as the massive feline comes ambling out of the brush, amazed at the way how Taissa is not only able to communicate with it, but also at the fact that she has also been able to enlist the aid of the mighty creature - "Amazing..." - he whispers to himself.
"I know how to move about unnoticed but I am not an expert at it" - Polux states - "I would assume that your friend is the best stalker of us all so I agree with the plan - I will try to approach as much as I can. When at bowshot distance, I will draw as many of them towards me as I can, dash away towards our new ally, and spring the ambush then. Meanwhile you would storm the camp, dispatching the ones left and hopefully look for the others. A loud growl could be the signal for you to start your attack, as we fall on the ones chasing me. Sounds solid?"
I like it!
The lion licks his chops casually as he examines Taissa.
”I am Two-Kill; I was so named when I killed two wolves with one slash of my claws,” he says with some pride.
”One stroke – two kills; Two-Kill,” he adds with a nod.
”I will come with you to kill these goblin-scum. Let us go,” he says hopping down to the trail and moving up the path to lead you all to the camp.
After about twenty minutes the company manages to return to the trail and they are no able to advance slowly up the trail, the wind is bitter and blows hard into your face.
After a few moments you are able to reach the trail you had left earlier.
On the southern end you see the ruins of some medium sized buildings. You see four small huts – all of them seem to be dormant, for no fire or smoke rises from their chimneys.
At the far side of the camp is a large lodge; a single goblin stands at sentry at K:26.
To the west of the lodge is a medium sized building; it looks like it is possible stable, now that you are close.
There is no sign of any other enemy other than the sentry; though there are a few corpses laying in the snow.
Taissa will be at AC:13 (the other side of Hack -- hit from two fronts - harder to pick off?), obscured by the snow-covered fir tree (offering some cover?), with her bow readied.
Hovering close to tree AC:3, waiting for Taissa's instruction. Taissa instructed her not to screech or alert the enemy to their presence.
Two-Kills is at AC:10, hidden/crouched in the underbrush provided by the trees on either side. (I think there's a space between the trees where he can fit 5x10.)
The goblin guard makes a cursory glance around the ruins of the village -
Polux finds himself nodding first at Taissa, and then at the mountain lion for some reason, and bursts into action, shooting at the goblin.
Polux finds himself nodding first at Taissa, and then at the mountain lion for some reason, and bursts into action, shooting at the goblin.
[dice=Longbow Attack]1d20+3[dice=Damage]1d8+4
The arrow slams hard into the goblin's chest and he lets out a loud shriek, and falls to his knees - up, but still moving.
As he hits the ground to his knee, a warg rushes out of each of the four small huts and three goblins rush out of the main lodge in the back.
They are all armed with daggers; and so far none of them have bows.... yet.
New battle map Here.
The wargs can be found outside each of the four huts - they are all in full health.
Good luck!
"It seems that our companions are not so far away after all."
Stefan stands at the commotion outside as if to see what is happening.
Taissa waits patiently in her hiding spot by the snow-covered firs (she attempts to remain out of view of the enemy). The plan was for Polux to draw the goblins closer toward the hidden mountain lion and her and then spring the ambush.
Two-Kills golden eyes watch the four Worgs appear out of the huts and he waits patiently but ready in the shadows/underbrush, not wanting to give away his position to the large wolves or the goblins.
Daya is holding too, waiting for her time to act/fly in. She is attempting to remain out of view or notice of the enemy at this time.