Raven smiles gravely.
"Thank-you, Marc. I will try to treat the blade with the care it deserves."
Just as long as it finds it's mark, it'll be cared for well. Marc chuckles. If you've no use for that shirt of yours, Lucrezia could probably use better than that leather she's wearing. Might need to use a few straps to keep it from falling off her though.
Raven nods.
"Of course the Lady Lucrezia can have it; 'twould be churlish of me to refuse, after all..."
The watches pass without issue. Those of you with a 15+ perception notice that the townspeople patrol with roughly three people on guard at a time, each walking alone but passing the same point in about fifteen minute intervals. All of the patrols seem quite alert and practiced.
Awakening in the morning with a yawn, Lucrezia sits up and stretches. Alright everyone, are we all refreshed and ready to go check out those tunnels this morning?
Lucius wakes up a few moments after Lucrezia does, rubbing his eyes. Looking that good in the morning must be one of her bardic magics. "I'm ready to go whenever you are."
Hafdan wakes up early and steps out of the small room. Ducking around the corner, he retches onto the ground. Wiping his mouth, he heads back into the room to meet with the rest of the group. "So what's the plan for today folks?"
Marc gets up and adjusts his armor. Not the worst place I've slept. But let's finish this quickly so we don't have to stay here much longer.
I also use my last vial of unholy water to cast infernal healing on myself, restoring myself to full hitpoints unless something dramatic and deadly happens within that 1 minute.
Lucrezia packs up her gear and attempts to put on the chainmail shirt without ripping out any hair. Oww, I thinks it's going to be a while before I can do this quickly without the risk of going bald. Lucius, would you mind giving me a hand with this strap please?
At Hafdan's question, I believe the plan for today is little underground adventure. Hopefully we can figure out why those two skeletons were guarding what appeared to be a goblin tunnel.
"Anything for you." Lucius replies with a smile for her."Just remember that you have to start at the top. Otherwise you'll never hook it all together. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it."
"Sounds like a solid plan to me."When he hears the plan for the day.
Raven nods to Lucrezia.
"That sounds perfectly reasonable to me; I, too, am rather curious..."
"Remember, we are dealing with a strange necromantic power. The undead have unusual powers and abilities. Whatever we find down there, expect nothing to be as you think it should be."
Marc chuckles, I guess it's a good thing that I'm mostly ignorant of the undead and their powers. Keeps me from expecting anything. If it moves, hit it. If it doesn't move, keep hitting it. That seem about right for dealing with the dead that move?
"Yep. If it moves, shoot it until it stops moving. Then keep shooting." Lucius says adding his own twist to it.
Bealzius strokes his beard as he contemplates the possibilities. "Not necessarily. But we shall go with that tactic for now, and change it if need be later."
The townspeople on patrol when you prepare to leave do nod at you and wish you well, though they are rather terse in their manner. Mounting and riding you are met with little trouble until you reach the forest. Walking towards the marker it seems as though no new goblins have filled in yet for those killed the day before, or if they have, they are hiding very well. The hovel is still uncovered and no sounds seem to be rising from within.
Bealzius and Threx approach carefully on the back of their combat steed, though he does not venture past Marc or those well-keyed for combat.
Before they leave, Marc remarks, Perhaps we should leave our mounts here instead of at the entrance to the underground lair. Who knows where we'll be coming out and what will happen to them in the middle of the forest.
"Seems quiet, almost too quiet. One would think they would put up new guards, unless this is a trap." Lucius surmises."That is a good idea, Marc. I like walking better anyhow." When he hears the suggestion to leave their mounts.
Raven nods to Marc.
"That seems prudent, as long as the townsfolk are not hungry enough to try to eat them!"
Well, if they do, that is a perfect excuse to put the entire town to the sword...
Shut up! That was a joke...
*Sigh* You never let me have any fun...
Regarding the horses, Lucrezia agrees that leaving them in the town would be a good idea: After all, there is still a pack of hungry dire wolves prowling around somewhere, various undead, more goblins and who knows what else that might be living in the woods.
Lucrezia gathers up the gear she intends to carry with her, including the goblin map and is soon ready to head out. Hopefully it will be a lovely day for walk.
"I'm sure it will be the loveliest. Shall we?"
Bealzius grumbles only slightly about leaving his military support behind, but he follows the group on foot. Threx, at least, gets to ride in his cage.
Yes, we shall. But for now let's walk to the clearing.
Lucrezia walks alongside Lucius, keeping her bow out and scanning the woods for any danger.
Shall we give any thought to what order we shall descend into the tunnel?
Lucius scans the forest while walking to the tunnel. He occasionally sneaks glances at Lucrezia while walking alongside her."I think Hafdan should go in first so he can deal with any traps the goblins have set up. Marc next followed by Raven and Bealzius. You and I will be in the back rank in case someone or something tries to follow us in. Sound good?"
Raven tries to keep an eye-out for any possible dangers as the party reaches the 'bolt hole' site...
That order sounds fine to me. Odds are that there will be plenty of traps. These goblins are sneaky little things.
"Yes they are. We shouldn't underestimate them. It'll be the end of us if we do." Lucius agrees while drawing his bow at the same time.
Hafdan silently slips into the open pit.
Marc follows into the hole behind Halfdan.
Lucrezia scans the woods for any signs of watchers while the others enter the hole to the tunnels. She follows when it is her turn.
Lucius follows right behind the lovely lady to bring up the rear.
Raven follows behind Marc.
Bealzius is in his assigned position.
As you all head down the ladder, you find that the floor below is well packed dirt and it seems that this area has been traveled quite frequently. Down the ladder the tunnel continues on for roughly fifty feet and the passage is about ten feet wide. It is high enough for you all to walk while standing up, though it is quite cramped and it seems fair to guess that it was primarily used by smaller creatures. At the end of the passage is a heavy wooden door with iron bars and as Hafdan searches, he notices that the door is trapped. So far, listening behind it, he doesn't hear anything.
Raven offers-up a brief prayer.
"May Asmodeus guide you as to the correct course."
He then backs-off to a respectable distance, to avoid getting hit by the trap, if it is triggered...
Before going down into the tunnel, Lucrezia stows away her bow and once down the ladder she will draw her rapier and shield. If there is no light source already down there in the tunnels, she will cast light upon her shield. Muttering to herself, I hope these tunnels are well-built, I'd hate to be stuck down here if they collapse. Lucrezia appears a bit uncomfortable at being underground.
Hafdan pulls out his tools and gently begins to prod at the mechanism.
Lucius looks to Lucrezia for a moment."Don't worry, everything will be fine." He says in attempt to make her feel better."And, honestly even if I had to be stuck down here, I'm glad it was with you." He whispers to her hoping no one else can hear.
Wondering if the faint light from her spell reveals how much she is now blushing, Lucrezia responds quietly. "Thank you for making me feel better. I certainly wouldn't mind being stuck anywhere with you either."
"I mean it. And you honor me with your words." He whispers back. Her blushing doesn't entirely escape his notice which elicits a smile from Lucius.
Hafdan starts to work on the door and, believing things are safe, pushes it open. With a loud think a javelin flies from the room towards his chest, striking him solidly.
Attack:
Damage:
Looking into the room, the light spell is no longer needed as torches hang at the sides of the room. It appears to be a large sleeping quarters with multiple bunks for small creatures. It looks recently occupied, clothing hanging out of footlockers that sit beneath the bunks. On the far end of the room is a single other door that looks even more sturdy than the entrance door.
With a sigh, Raven moves up to Hafdan, and attempts to heal the large rent in his chest...
"Maybe you should check the other door for traps, too..."
He then helps to conduct a thorough search of the room.
Hafdan grimaces as the javelin slowly pulls out of his chest. Raven's magic washes over him and soon he's moving less gingerly. "I've got a sinking feeling like you and I should set up some kind of account system if I keep up at this rate."
"I hope they don't trap their own footlockers too.
Raven smiles faintly.
"I am sure that we will be able to work something out..."
"Hopefully you will fare a little better this time..."
"We're about to find out in any case."
Marc winces as Halfdan gets hit and speaks low, Perhaps I should open the doors after you clear them of traps?
He scans the room briefly and steps forward to cover Halfdan at the doorway.