Zizz casts a spell that blasts the bugbear, seemingly doing more damage than one would expect from such a simple spell. Kesten stands by, somewhat in shock still waiting for an enemy to come into range while Ethan stops Blakes bleeding and Runk slowly pulls him out of the room.
One of the goblins moves up and Kesten reaches out to shock it, dropping the goblin to the ground with his touch. However, in it's place another goblin moves up and they all begin to cluster up at the door as the bugbear steps backand grabs a potion to drink.
The goblin has no luck in it's attack on Kesten.
Zizou curses under his breath when he sees the bugbear drink a potion that seems to repair the burns that he had just inflicted. He points a finger at him, and sends a fiery ray in his direction.
"Damn you!" Kesten says under his breath. His hand is crackling with energy again, as he prepares to fry the next one that comes forward.
"Surrender, you filth!" he shouts as the little one goes down.
Ziz blasts the bugbear with another fiery ray, but it does not have the impact as the previous one. Kesten reaches out touching the goblin in front of him sending on the briefest of shocks through its body, seeming to just make it more upset than it already was.
Ethan moves over to Blake and touches him.
Blakes body heals some, but he remains unconscious.
Despite his awkward position Runk attempts to get in on the fight.
Ethan calls on his god to give Blake a part of his divine energy. While it heals some of the wounds and Blake looks better than he had previously he still lies on the floor unconcious. Runk reaches around the corner to try and stab at the goblin in the doorway but with the angles of the walls he can't quit reach to connect. The goblin at the door curses at Kesten before trying to stab him with her blade.
It glances off armor, nearly connecting. The bugbear pulls out an arrow and draws back his bow aiming at Ziz.
The arrow flies true, making it's way just in the right spot to get to Ziz and slicing across the side of his neck, awefully close to a vital spot.
"Zizouket, move back one. I am hindering Runk." Kesten suddenly says with a lot of confidence in his voice.
Kesten steps back one, and with the hand that is crackling with electricity he touches Blake in the chest. There is no pain, only relief as healing vigor is transmuted into his body.
"Ziz!" Kesten cries out as the arrow slices his throat.
"Damn it, don't die on me too here. Stay behind someone, and keep low. That archer is good!"
His voice has gone from stressy and uncertain to that of a commander in the royal guard. He seems confident, and ready to take the fort.
That's not how..
But I..
NO!! You listen to me young man.
But I don't..
NO!! Get in line, private!
But..
You want to live?
...
Fine, this is how we'll do it.
Zizou reaches for his bleeding throat, and mutters to test his voice, "Ahh... right, then. Not ready to cut my losses just yet." He answers Kesten, "I'm okay! Don't worry about the goblin whores!"
He points his finger at the bugbear and matches his marksmanship with a fiery ray of his own.
"Elkfather grant him the will to stand against our foes," Ethan says, touching Kesten's shoulder.
Runk steps forward to fill the void Kesten has left open. Focusing on holding back the goblin in front of him he slows his attacks a bit in favor of better defending himself.
The parry he executes with his dagger manages to throw the goblin off balance and allows his sword to slip through.
Blake awakes with a start once Kesten's energy surges though him. Uncertian how he ended up on the floor he doesn't take time to figure it out as he does the only thing he can think of. He gets to his feet, moves behind Ziz and after uttering some quick arcane words he points a finger sending a brilliant bolt of energy streaking past Ziz and into the bugbears face.
Ziz let's out a ray of fire which slams into the bugbears face causing him to yell in pain and hold onto his face as it burns. Kesten jolts Blake back to life with his magic, drawing the attention of the goblin in the doorway who cuts into him, but isn't able to distract him from his spell. As Kesten moves aside Runk takes his place stabbing the goblin in the ribs and dropping it to the floor. Blake awakens in a bit of a stupor, but quickly reacclimating to his current circumstance crawls over just enough to see the bugbear and casts a spell. A ball of force knocks him in his already burning face and the bugbear falls to the floor.
The two remaining goblins attack Runk.
Though extremely concerned with their current situation they have no luck in hitting Runk.
Snarling a bit at the two goblins as he dodges their attacks Runk takes a moment to say "Ain't here for you. Tell us `bout his friends and you can go."
"Stop fighting us, and you will live," Ethan says to the goblins in a gentle tone. "We have an agreement with your chief. We only want the bugbear and his longshank friends. You need not fear us if you surrender."
Relieved to see the fearsome bugbear drop, Zizou steps aside to allow the others a chance to mop up or talk sense into the concubines. He does prepare to open fire in case they fail to surrender.
The goblins seem less interested in your words and more interested in trying to avenge their fallen lover.
"Do not throw your lives away for him. He is already dead. Your deaths will not bring him back. Please stop fighting."
Not particularly surprised at the goblins attitude Runk works to end the fight quickly.
The delay in attacking makes the strikes predictable and easily avoided however.
Ziz blasts the one with a fiery ray, easily dropping it to the ground in a singed mess. The other continues to act aggressive.
"Surrender, you filth!" he shouts again, as he steps up and attacks over Runk's head.
Kesten reaches in as the goblin moves up to attack Runk, zapping it. The goblin drops to the floor convulsing for a few seconds before moving no more.
Ethan moves quickly into the room and checks the bugbear for signs of life.
Runk steps in and checks the bugbear and goblins for signs of valuables.
Blake checks to see if the scuffle has been detected, then motions everyone into the room. He pulls the door closed. "What do we do now? This fella took a chunk out of me, I am not sure it is wise to press on. Perhaps we need a new plan."
Runk pockets the coins before handing Ethan the well made composite longbow and quiver of arrows. He takes a moment to point out the four especially nice ones.
Seeing no exits to the room he says, "No turnin' back now." and gives a jerk of his head towards the bugbear. [b]"Leave now, won't be gettin' back in so easy."
Ethan calls upon Erastil heal Blake.
Zizou watches Ethan check on the bugbear as Blake and Runk discuss what's next. "More importantly, who gets to tell Hottie McGoblinHunter that we took care of her nemesis for her?"
Ethan examines the bow that Runk has handed to him.
"A fine weapon," he says, testing its draw weight.
"It seems he made a comfortable living selling his killing skills," he adds, with a touch of sadness in his voice.
"And you will make better many things in the world, Ethan. The bow has good people's blood on it. Maybe it's time to tip the odds back into good's favor?"
Kesten stands watch in the hallway, looking at his crackling hand. Normally, it would stop if he no longer concentrated in it...
This time, it didn't.
And the worst part, the voices in his head are silent about this.
Ethan nods silently in acknowledgment of Kesten's reply.
Thank you Ethan, I feel much stronger now. We better press on and finish this, make a mark for Good in the world so to speak. Runk, lead on.
Runk gives Blake a nod and then moves to the northern door. Taking a moment to look it over he then cracks it open to see inside.
Taking a look throug the northern door it leads to an intersection of hallways.
Not liking the idea of leaving doors behind him Runk moves to the other door along the south side and repeats the procedure.
Checking the southern door it opens into a hallway that leads south before turning to the west.
Grumbling a bit Runk moves to the next door along the southern wall.
Checking the next door, this one opens to a room. The walls of this room are lined with small wooden cages. Inside each cage is a dirty mound of straw.
Runk cocks his head a bit in curiosity at all the cages. Moving towards one he uses his shortsword to poke around at the straw in one of the cages.
"Empty" Runk says with a bit of disappointment in his voice before moving on to the eastern door and opening it.
"Small cages...for poultry, perhaps?" Ethan says speculatively.
Checking the door on the eastern wall it opens into a short hallway with another door at the end of it.
Runk motions his intent and then moves into the short hallway to check and open the next door.
Opening the door the well worked stone gives way to natural stone work. Crates, barrels, and mounds of miscellaneous refuse lie heaped against the walls here. To the north, the sound of crashing surf echoes. Some light spills into the room, but past that it is otherwise dark.
Runk steps in and takes a look around.
"Need a light." he calls back.