You reach the area where the tracks were discovered. The area is dotted with the rotting stumps of - what you've come to learn - trees that were used to build the palisade around Oleg's.
The tracks found were of small game,(rodents, rabbits..) and other bestial small humanoid tracks most likely goblins.
On the other side of the swath of stumps lies the woods ... nearly all northern evergreens in this part of the forest.
"Do we follow the tracks, or continue with our planned circuit?" Dieter looks around at his companions from atop his mount. "I believe we should at least ascertain if these humanoids have some sort of base or home. We don't have to deal with them now, but it would be helpful to know where they are located."
"Agreed. Goblins can be a real menace if left unchecked. They breed like rats, and are ten times as destructive. However, if they do not look too well-entrenched, or too numerous, we might as well deal with them now..."
"I'd rather not leave a bunch of goblins at my back if possible. I say let's see what they're up to."
I listen to the group come to a decision, "Right, following the tracks it is then." I look down at the tracks and try to follow them back to a camp or cave.
After Jaestra leaves, Vladimir turns to Vorik and asks, as he begins to dismount Shadow, "I know she is capable, but how far off do we want to let her go before one of us follows her?"
"Within 100' or so, or within eye-sight, whichever is shorter. I don't want her to get ambushed..."
I look back to see if the others are following me, if they are I continue going, if not I head back and tell them that, that is the right direction.
I point in the direction of the tracks and begin to follow them again, trying to be a little quieter about it.
Dieter will also use his woodslore to follow the tracks.
Perception
Survival
Vladimir follows along, attempting to be quiet as he moves.
Stealth:
Perception:
"Hrafen has it right, we shouldn't let her get more than an easy bow shot ahead."
Seeing Jaestra's signal, Vorik taps his mount forward while scanning the the treeline for any sign of trouble.
After a little more than a quarter mile, you start to hear singing ahead. After a few more steps you can make the horizontal green plane of a clearing through the boughs of the trees. You aren't able to quite make out the words, but it sounds like a simple rhyme, sung by at least a few miniature bestial voices .. The clearing is a little less than 200 feet away yet.
You see Jaestra slow, then stop leass than 100 feet ahead of the group. You think you might have heard something. In between your party's footsteps, you think you hear distant voices in the direction you are heading.
I stop suddenly and hold both of my arms out to my side, hoping that will make everyone stop. Once everyone has stopped I will listen a little more closely and turn to face my friends. I then tap one of my ears and put a finger to my lips, before turning back around to try and get a little closer.
Vorik gently pulls the reins, bringing his mount to a gentle stop. Lifting his head he silently nods his understanding at Jaestra's signal. Waiting for her to slip closer, he carefully slips a hand around Astridsonoir and readies his shield.
Dieter waves his hand a bit to get the other party member's attention. He points to himself, points to his ear, makes a quacking duck motion with his hand, and points ahead on the trail.
I...hear...voices...ahead.
As you move closer you can start making out the song, and see in the clearing .. four goblins carrying on their shoulders a fifth goblin in a barrel. With their free hands they are picking some type of plant from the ground... some they are eating and some they throw at the goblin riding in the barrel - who happens to be wearing a wide brimmed hat and wielding a trowel like a kingly scepter.
the four carrying the barrel sing repeatedly...
"One for the master, I take twooo
Two for the master, none for you!"
All around this roughly 60 foot in diameter clearing, goblins are lying about rubbing their tummies and groaning. At the far side of the clearing is a rotted-out small shack.
You are about 50 feet away from the clearing, and have not seemed to notice you.
If I am with someone I turn to them and whisper very quietly, "They are doing no wrong, should we still take them out or leave them be? They could be innocent."
If I am on my own, I look back to the group, place a finger to my lips again and beckon them over. Once someone is with me I ask the above question again.
Vladimir whispers back to Jaestra, "I have never heard of an innocent goblin, but I suppose there is a first time for everything."
"Should I take the shot then?" I draw "GoldFire", draw an arrow from my hip quiver, nock it to her string and pull it back. I aim carefully at the Goblin in the barrel, waiting for Vlad's decision.
Vladimir thinks about the options for a brief moment before responding, "No, I told Vorik I would try to see things in the shades of gray he does, we will talk with them first. If that does not work out well, then we will kill them."
Vladimir then readies his shield and draws his blade, but keeps the blade pointed to the ground in an attempt to not appear as hostile before approaching the goblins.
"I shall follow your lead then, Sir Vlad. That sounds much nicer to say ..." I let "GoldFire" relax her string, once relaxed I take the arrow and place it back in my quiver, before putting "GoldFire" back into her resting place. I draw my blade and make sure that it is pointed at the ground, same as Vlad.
Knowing he is the least quiet and stealthy of the group, Vorik hangs back waiting for some signal or sign from the others as to what lies ahead. Seeing Jaestra and Vladimir whispering back and forth he tries to hear what has the others concerned, but doesn't have any luck.
Tensing in anticipation, as the half-elf draws her bow, he raises his shield and prepares to charge only to settle back puzzled when she puts it back down and Vladimir draws his blade and starts to step into the trees. Confused by the actions of his companions, he looks to see if Dieter, who also moved forward, makes any signal.
Vladimir approaches the over-fed goblins in the clearing, but remains a short distance away from the goblins themselves, glancing at the plants to try and identify what the goblins have been eating.
"Greetings, my friends. My companions and I were traveling through the area when we heard your song. We mean you no harm, provided of course that the feeling is mutual on your part. Is it just the four of you, or are you part of a larger group nearby?"
Part way out to the Goblins I turn to Vladimir, "I will go and get my mount, I forgot I left her tied up for precautions." This as loud enough for the Goblins to hear. I then whisper to him, "I will also inform the others of our situation."
I walk back into the trees and head straight for Vorik at double speed, "There are a group of 4 Goblins carrying another Goblin in a barrel. Sir Vlad spoke about you and he having a conversation about shades of grey, so he is trying to speak with them to see if they are innocent. You may want to remain hidden at the edge of the tree's though, just in case things go sour." I then mount my mare and ride back out to meet Vlad, again at double speed. Once I am by Vlad I will dismount speak to him, "There we go, she was getting a bit scared all on her own."
The goblins jump startled .. the four drop the barrel. The one in the barrel "You come for our spicy fruit!" Three of the four scramble back to the rotting shack on the far side of the clearing .. a couple of the ones lying on the ground moaning try to get up, stumble, vomit and fall over.
The one that spoke eyes Vladimir .. you hear coming from the shack as Jaestra and the others approach...
"Smash em with a rock,
Smash em all good.
Poke em with a spear
'til it goes straight through!"
Vladimir mumbles to himself, "So much for diplomacy...", then calls out to the others, "We have hostiles, prepare for a fight!" as he readies his sword to slash the nearest goblin.
Dieter sighs. "Well, at least we gave an effort." He brings his hands up, ready to cast a spell.
Initiative
Hrafen shrugs.
"Goblins will be Goblins..."
I draw "GoldFire" as soon as I dismount and nock an arrow to her string, ready to shoot.
Hearing Vladimir's shout and the goblins song, Vorik kicks his mount into action, charging for the nearest foe.
>here
The 'leader' sees the others approach, lifts his trowel, and yells out in the goblin tongue...
"More than two! More than two! Attack! Attack!"
The goblin next to him gets his shortbow ready, and takes partial cover inside the barrel.
The goblins to the south have disappeared into the shack.. you hear growling and barking from within.
The sick goblins try to rise again .. the one closest to Vorik hides behind his hands.
With an arrow already nocked to "GoldFire's" string, I pull it back and release her, aiming at the Goblin in the middle of the group.
Seeing several of the goblins run for the cabin, Vorik sets off in that direction, riding down any goblins that end up getting in his way. Reaching the cabin quickly he steadies his horse and raises his hammer, waiting until whatever is growling to poke its head through the opening. As soon as it does, he brings his hammer down to strike a blow at the creature.
:
Dieter spurs his horse forward a bit, then begins a complex weaving of hand motions and incantations.
With a crack of splintering wood, Jaestra's arrow pins the goblin leader's throat to the barrel behind him...
The growling grows louder as Vorik posts up next to the shack doorway, but does not yet exit..
Vladimir moves toward one of the prone goblins.
Sorry, I have been having internet access issues :-/ Everything should be back to normal now, though :-)
Hrafen urges his mount forward , and takes a pot-shot at the Goblin in the barrel...
The goblin Vladimir rushes screeches startled, and tries to stand..
Hrafen's acid sizzles against the barrel, the goblin inside tips over backwards and scrambles south..
Two of the other sick goblins finally get to their feet, and look around. One of them points to the fallen leader and yells
The other sick goblin starts to get up... he get to his hands and knees before another bout of heaves..
Inside the battered shack you hear a couple goblins yelling.. "GO! RIDE! KILL!!"
Vladimir slashes the goblin across the chest as the vile, little creature tries to get to its feet.
AoO:
Damage:
With a BAMF, Dieter's dog appears and charges forward to attack a prone goblin.
Dieter begins another incantation, pointing at a spot beyond the two goblins to his right. Plants and vegetation suddenly spring to life and attempt to grab at the goblin's legs.
I move so that there is a clean line of sight for me to fire "GoldFire" again, where I nock another arrow to her string and release it once at one of the Goblins in front of me .
A quick strike inflicted on the goblin at Vladimir's feet, fells it before it can stand..
Jaestra's arrow flies past another goblin - where its head what a split second ago..
On the west side of the clearing the ground explodes into a column of vegetation - the grass and radish tops warp to monstrous size and wrap around the two goblins
The summoned dog charges as soon as it materializes, and rips into the arm of the heaving goblin - bringing it flat on its face..
A filthy canine with a goblin rider leaps out of the doorway to the shack .. Vorik's hammer comes down on its head, halting its progress.. it turns a few steps then snaps at Vorik's horse.
A second smaller shaggy rodent-like dog tries to bite from the doorway while another goblin is trying to mount it..