Certain the half-orc creature will end its life, Garut is beside itself with amazement when the beast's axe misses its head. Zogmugot sparezz me! The goblin still can't believe its eyes when the green creature dives past it. Convinced it has been spared by divine intervention, Garut's thoughts turn to safety, Zogmugot not generouz, makez ezcapez while still can! Not wanting to stick around, the goblin attempts to copy the creature's akarrowbatikcz. Taking a big step, Garut pushes off with its legs to spring off the walkway. As its feet leave the wooden planks, its arms raise above, Hehehe, this eazy! A rush of air brushes across its face and for a brief moment in time, the goblin is convinced it can fly. But reality soon hits as its attempt to defy gravity's law is quickly punished. Ouch! Ground fazt! Finding itself face down in the tall grass below the huts and walkways, Garut thanks Zogmugot once more.
Above and across at the other walkway, the trio of archers laugh hysterically at their fallen comrade, Eight! Six points five! Garut suck! Knocking more crooked arrows to the sinews of their bows, the group chuckles as they wait for something to shoot at.
Stepping out onto the platform, Jeryn points a finger at the goblins at the other end. A small wave of force erupts and the air ripples as the invisible bolt hurtles towards its target.
Surprisingly, the creep doesn't go down. Like a slap the its face, the goblin's head is violently forced to the side. Turning slowly back to face its attacker, a trickle of blood creeps from its nose. The goblin's expression is murderous. With a loud snort, the goblin sucks the crimson liquid back into its brains, Snog not letz female escapez...Mez be backz soon. Blowing a kiss to the oracle, Mez makes a skipping motion to avoid being hit by her shiny ball of metal. Lightly tripping mid-way, Mez heads for the wizard...
Excitedly, Snog immediately swings his rusty blade at the fair maiden. Its technique has never been really good. Scrawny even for a goblin, Snog's swordsgoblinship often hurt it more than the trees they practice on. Still, sometimes Snog gets luck...this is one of those times. Vaguely paying attention to what it is doing, Snog's blade makes contact with the female's left leg, tearing into her pants. Surprised at its success, Snog makes a mental note, Snog thinkz too much. Closez eyez next time.
-
Fenra smacks at the goblin attempting a fumbling maneuver past her.
and her spiky ball of death delivers yet another fatal blow.
Unable to fend off the goblin in front of her successfully as she swings at its comrade, she feels the blade reach her skin. Spinning quickly from one target to the other the brings her morningstar around like a bat aiming to knock its head off.
but the quick direction change and momentum of her swing knocks her off balance and she misses completely.
Rennyn moves into the threshold of the doorway and using it for cover, lets an arrow fly at the goblin against the wall...
... embedding it in its thigh, the arrow vibrating as it hits the leg bone.
Rennyn grumbles to himself about getting the coin together to buy a better quality bow.
Draeven drops his ax and pulls out his own bow as he moves back to the corner letting his own arrow fly at the goblin on the far right...
... putting it straight through the gobbies stomach, but missing its vital organs.
Jeryn breaths a sigh of relief as Fenra's morningstar cracks the skull of the goblin advancing on him. He is about to call out his thanks but sees her swing back to face her immediate foe and miss wildly with a backswing. Instead of words of gratitude, his face scrunches up in a wince as he anticipates the retalitory attack - hoping that the goblin's blade will not find purchase and marr her smooth flesh.
Taking its chances with the female was the last mistake Mez would make. In fact, its last thoughts, other than 'breaztmeatz' were, Stupidz board, Mez alwayz tripzz... and then its world went black.
Anticipating the goblin's move to attack, Fenra's morning star was ready to strike. Landing solidly on the goblin's head, Mez' skull collapses from the weight of the blow. Its eyes cross and its tongue is forced out of its mouth. Once feared and respected by its fellow tribe members, Mez the womanizer now lies pathetically, a lifeless heap on the wooden walkway.
The pointed ears of an elf peek out from around the doorway. Tgur's bow readied, it alerts its comrades, That! and looses its arrow. The curved shaft wobbles and bends the arrows along its path. Watching its arrow sway through the air, Tgur notices another arrow in the air, Tgur sure only use one.... This mystery is quickly solved as the second arrow punctures Tgur's skin, embedding itself in its leg. Wah! As for Tgur's wobbly arrow, as improbable as it may seem, the arrow curves around the doorway to somehow find its mark in the paladin's left tricep.
Fortunately, Tgur is not alone is its suffering. Further up the walkway, Flem sees the green brute and looses its own crooked arrow over Garut's head. Weaving through the air, Flem's arrow strikes the side of the hut, sending splinters of wood over the half-orc's leathers. Dang-augh! Interrupted by the half-orc's own arrow, cursing its own arrow will have to wait. Almost doubling over, Flem holds Draeven's arrow in its stomach and staggers up the walkway to rest on the wall of the nearest hut.
The last member of the group also sees the pointy eared elf. Loosing its arrow, Vak sighs with disappointment as it strikes the wooden frame of the hut, just in front of the elf's nose.
Out of sight but not out of mind, Garut quickly stands up in the grasses below and disappears under the huts.
Jeryn strides slowly toward Fenra. As he walks he begins uttering a deluge of arcane words, adding volume to his voice as he advances. He begins weaving his arms in intricate patterns - slowly at first, but his gestures becoming larger and more rapid with every step. By the time he arrives at his intended destination , spittle is flying from his mouth with every harsh syllable and his arms whip about in a fury as arcane power accumulates around him. Once he stops moving, he locks eyes with the pitiful creature facing Fenra. With a snarl that would make a demon cringe, he extends forth his staff toward the wretch and screams DIE!
A tiny bolt of energy zips from the end of his staff to sting the goblin .
Uttering his arcane words, Jeryn unleashes a bolt of energy striking the goblin in the chest. Snog's shoulder momentarily goes numb. Shaking it off, Snog's small hands take turns holding its trusty sword as it dances around the busty females swings. Watching her form, Snog fakes right to get a better view. And then it does it again. Snog's brain goes blank. Much to Snog's delight, its rusty blade moves as though directed by some dark magic and the half-elf's clothing is torn some more, revealing a little more of her flesh. Elated by its continued success, Snog snickers giddily, Teeheeheheh!
Realizing she can't take any more hits Fenra still opts to take one last swing.
When this one also misses she desperately calls out, Rennyn, לעזור! and backs up one step.
Taking her swing, although strong, it is too high - passing well above Snog's head. Hearing the tone of her plea, Snog's eyes tear up, Good Snog! Snog not let female leave!
Further down the walkway, Flem looses another crooked arrow at the half-orc monster. Its core weakened, Flem struggles to hold the bow steady - its arrow however homes in on the half-orc's position, landing solidly in the hut's wall next to its first. More plaster and splinters sprinkle over Draeven's form. Seeking refuge, Flem steps further up the walkway to rest on the wall of the nearest hut.
Having a bead on the pointy eared one, Tgur draws another of its arrows. A bit straighter than the rest, this arrow sails true; finding the elf's thigh. Lucky for Rennyn, the sea shell tipped arrow head was not fully in tact and the arrow merely grazes his skin. Vak! Boom dem!
Heading Tgur's request, Vak drops its bow and readies the now familiar goblin torch; white ember sparkles erupt forth and Vak laughs excitedly.
Rennyn utterly ignores the two minor flesh wounds sustained by the arrows grazing his body. Refocusing, he lets another arrow fly at the goblin by the wall...
...this time taking it in the throat. Tgur drops his bow and grabs hold of the arrow that has just seemingly sprouted from his neck. Giving it a yank he pulls it free and stares dumbly at it before toppling over onto his face, a growing pool of blood growing beneath him. Satisfied, Rennyn then calls to Draeven, You've got this... before dashing across the walkway to his right and into the first hut.
Draeven nods grimly at Rennyn while nocking another arrow and drawing his bow string taught. Spying the goblin lighting the "torch", Draeven mumbles under his breath, I don't think so... as he swings his aim to the left, sending his own arrow at the goblin with the firework...
... taking this one right in the center of its chest, the arrow passing straight through, embedding itself in the wall behind Vak. The goblin immediately collapses as if a marionette having its strings cut, the lit firework clattering to the floor hissing angrily.
Draeven then calmly strides across the walkway to take up a position in the doorway Rennyn just vacated while calling out in goblin to the wounded one behind the corner. That is a nasty wound you've got there. You don't get that looked at right away, you are going to bleed to death. That is if the poison doesn't get you first.
Sensing Fenra's dire situation, Jeryn steps up beside her and swings his quarterstaff at the goblin's head
Stepping over the dead goblin formerly known as Mez, the robed man thing raises his quarterstaff in a menacing manor at poor Snog. Why it show Snog itz stick?! Snog not like. Hissing, Snog's eyes narrow and it raises its dogslicer in anger. That Snog's female! Having customarily announced its claim, the goblin lashes out at the vile robed man catching the man in his gut. A ribbon of red liquid flies from the man thing's stomach, tracing the arch of Snog's blade through the air. Elated at its success, Snog laughs hysterically, Haahahahaha!
As Jeryn reels at the massive injury Fenra, horrified, lays her hand upon his ashen cheek and murmurs to the heavens. A blue glow emanates from her hand and suffuses his body, winding down towards the unmistakable injury.
She frowns as the wound does not seem to heal as much as she wound like and screams out again for Rennyn's aid. She pulls on Jeryn's coat as she turns to head the direction she last saw the others go.
Rennyn calls out in both common and celestial, Move to me! Inside the hut now!
Leaning against the hut bleeding, Flem thinks about the green monster's words, Poison? A little over a month ago, the hunting party had returned with a fresh boar. It was a festive time as not only did the party manage to kill the boar, but they had also captured a piglet. Chief Gutwad ordered the piglet be put in a big pen, and Nugort was tasked with preparing the mother. Nugort used some strange mushrooms to season the boar meat and as a result the whole village suffered from Nugort's poisoning. Flem remembers well the stomach pains. Check. Flem also remembers spending a lot of time in the bushes afterwards. Dat nasty time. Flem not like poisoning. Bad half-orc! Taking up another crooked arrow, Flem draws his bow and fires. Whether it is because Flem is shooting in anger or because it is worried about the next phase of the poisoning, Flem's arrow sails off into the tall grasses below the walkway. Cursing its arrow, Flem resumes leaning against the hut, Nasty Half-orc with its nasty poisons!
A second later, the white sparkles from Vak's torch intensify. Erupting from the tube, another explosive charge races out toward the watchtower to the south. As luck would have it, Garut chooses now to reappear . Having heard the torch being lit and knowing there would soon be an explosion, the goblin had eagerly made its way to a safe location from which to watch. Just in time for the explosion, Garut narrowly misses falling victim to Vak's unattended torch. As the resulting fireball races across the platform, Garut's eyes bulge from its head and the goblin quickly ducks behind the small wooden door for cover. Garut's head re-emerges a short time later. Singed but none the worse for wear, the goblin wonders what just happened.
-
-
Rennyn drops his bow and draws his sword as he moves to meet Fenra coming the other way...
Come to us Jeryn! he instructs as he raises his weapon in both hands over his head and waits for the goblin to come through the door...
As the goblin reappears from around the building to loose an arrow, Draeven calmly releases his own deadly projectile...
...striking the corner inches from his head.
Draeven then moves back across the walkway.
For a moment Jeryn sees stars and his head grows faint. His eyes flutter as he barely grasps to consciousness. Then he feels Fenra's touch and the healing energy coursing through his body. With his bleeding staunched, the stars leave his vision and he has enough wherewithal to follow Fenra into the hut. As he enters he sees Rennyn poised with his blade raised and he eagerly ducks out of the way to afford the man a clean swing at the pursuing goblin.
- LickToad Village
Noo! Frustrated, Snog grips at the loss of its prize, Filthy man thing! Steal Snog's female! Not wanting to loose its treasure, the goblin starts to give chase, but hesitates at the sound of a strange voice within the hut. Whoddat? Deciding to use caution, the goblin steps to the door of the hut then stops when it sees the pointy eared creature with its sword raised. Snarling at the ugly creature, Snog raises its rusty blade and stakes its claim, Dat Snog's female! But as the goblin's eyes take in the gruesome scene within the hut, it gets a bad feeling about this pointy eared creature. Swallowing hard, Snog's expression turns sheepish, as though it had just been caught doing something it shouldn't. A little pee stain appears on the small tattered cloth around its waist as Snog readies its blade for something bad.
Meanwhile...
Elsewhere on the network of wooden walkways, Flem and Garut feel the strain of their injuries. Worried the nasty half-orc's poison will soon kick in, Flem thinks only of the safety, and solitude of the bushes. Its stomach groans and the goblin passes wind. Oh no! Not willing to continue fighting while poisoned, the goblin withdraws. Jumping off the walkway, Flem makes its landing in the tall grasses below and disappears under the huts.
Flames from the exploded fireworks take hold of the exterior wall of the wooden structure just in front of Garut. Unable to see anything other than its fallen brethren, the goblin notes Flem jump down from the walkway. Its own flesh smoldering, Garut begins to think the battle has moved elsewhere. Grateful to be one the move, Garut makes for the ladder and follows. Eeew, what stinkzezz?
Not wanting to get in close with the disgusting little creature Fenra chooses to use her javelin, throwing it with all her might at the form silhouetted in the doorway.
Her and Jeryn's recent close calls add purpose to her throw and it skewers the thing where it stands.
Snog readies its blade for something bad...Taking up her javelin, Fenra launches a solid throw at the goblin. Its rusty blade at the ready, Snog shifts right while moving its blade left successfully knocking the projectile away. Stunned by its success, Snog nervously laughs. But only for a second. The goblin suspects what the sword welding elf is capable of and it is worried...
Tracking her javelin, Fenra's brown(?) eyes spot an other entering the compound. Although small in stature, the figure walks confidently and tall. Carrying a forked spear of sorts, the outline gradually comes into focus. It is another goblin, but oddly dressed. Wearing a tattered red cloak tied with a blue sash, the goblin's skin appears more blue than of the hideous green covering the goblins in this village. Stopping just behind the smoldering fire pit, the goblin calmly rests the end of its spear on the ground and watches the huts.
Elsewhere on the network of wooden walkways, Flem and Garut feel the strain of their injuries. Worried the nasty half-orc's poison will soon kick in, Flem thinks only of the safety, and solitude of the bushes. Its stomach groans and the goblin passes wind. Oh no! Not willing to continue fighting while poisoned, the goblin withdraws. Jumping off the walkway, Flem makes its landing in the tall grass below and disappears under the huts.
-
Flames from the exploded fireworks take hold of the exterior wall of the wooden structure just in front of Garut. Unable to see anything other than its fallen brethren, the goblin notes Flem jumping down from the walkway. Its own flesh smoldering, Garut begins to think the battle has moved elsewhere. Grateful to be on the move, Garut makes for the ladder and follows.
Seeing the goblin hesitate in the doorway, Rennyn moves forward and brings his blade down...
...neatly bisecting the goblin in half from top to bottom. Snog's two halves slide apart and fall in opposite directions. Rennyn finishes his stroke with a flourishing move before nodding at Fenra and Jeryn.
Draeven picks up his discarded ax and takes off in pursuit of the fleeing goblins.
- LickToad Village
In the end, Snog's overconfidence was its undoing. Having gotten this far without thinking, the goblin actually started to think it was special, that it could be someone. Unfortunately, it picked the wrong time to start thinking and was promptly cleaved in two by the paladin.
Outside at ground level, Draeven catches sight of the two fugitives, Flem and Garut . Neither seem to be aware of the half-orc threat barreling down on them as each make their way to the compound. Further, at this point Draeven also sees the mysterious figure standing by the smoking pit. Although he has no difficulty determining this is another goblin, there is something strange about the way this one stands...this goblin is different. It is not wild or insane as Draeven has come to expect all goblins to be.
Fenra moves forward to retrieve her javelin from the area of the bisected goblin and in case Rennyn missed it points out the door towards the newcomer.
אני מחוץ לחשים . She warns him.
- LickToad Village
Making their way under the huts and walkways, the two goblins break out into the open compound, one followed shortly by the other. The solitary figure standing on the other side of the smoking pit watches them intently; waiting for the goblins to draw nearer.
Reaching the pit, Flem takes exception to the other goblin's presence, Hey, what you here?! Not bothering to wait for a response, Flem retrieves one of its crooked arrows and fires the projectile at the newcomer. Die Scribbleface! Being finely crafted from the finest wood the swamp has to offer, Flem's arrow sails immediately into the ground, not two feet from where the 'poisoned' goblin stands. Seconds later, Garut arrives only to laugh hysterically at Flem's prowess with the bow, Hahahaha!
The newcomer does not share in Garut's appraisal of the situation. Raising his right hand in Flem's direction, the blue faced goblin's fingers bend and contort. Speaking a word in a foreign tongue, a small bolt of electricity shoots across the pit, striking Flem squarely in the chest and knocking it off of its feet. Lightly crisped from the experience, Flem falls lifeless to the ground.
Hearing the commotion outside, Fenra is able to gleam some meaning from the word Scribbleface uttered. It is a dialect closely affiliated with Gozreh... not a typical deity for a goblin.
Fenra is somewhat taken aback at the scene unfolding outside. She furrows her brow then her eyes widen in surprise at the esoteric words spoken by the strange goblin. She states to the other two, Something is different with that one. Look at his weapon, look at his colour, consider his actions. And his words... she trails off as if trying to weigh all the possibilities of their implication.
Rennyn rushes the newly arrived goblin.
Draeven slings his ax as he pursues the fleeing goblins...
Fenra moves out of the hut, her morningstar and javelin at the ready.
- LickToad Village
Watching the drama unfold, the party closes in. Following Rennyn out of the hut, Fenra takes up her weapons and makes the jump to the ground without difficulty.
On the other side of the fenced pit, it is Garut's turn to play accuser, Scribbleface notz welcome! Gutwad tellz Scribbleface notz comez here! Advancing on the robed goblin, Garut raises its dogslicer and swings at Scribbleface's head. Ducking just in time, the blue faced goblin takes a step back.
From Rennyn's vantage, one could easily presume Scribbleface got his name from the numerous markings he bares on his face. Crudely tattooed in blue ink, Scribbleface's visage is covered in boorish drawings. Elsewhere on his body, are hundreds of words which have all been scratched, cut or tattooed over in an effort to blot them out. Holding a handmade 'spear' up for protection from Garut, the weapon looks better suited for fishing than combat. Decorated with strips of seaweed, the tip is split into three sharp points with a small rock tied into the center. With his other hand, Scribbleface shows Rennyn a small wooden symbol. Tied about his neck with more seaweed, it depicts a triangular leaf tipped by a drop of water. Politely, yet a little nervously addressing the paladin, Scribbleface pleas for his life, Please sir, in Gozreh's name, stay thy weapon against me for I have not come to bare malice against you or your kin but to seek vengeance for injustices done. For a goblin, his speech is immaculate.
...
Rennyn steps to his left and seemingly not taking his eyes off of of the newly arrived goblin, flicks his blade out in a horizontal arc...
... cleanly removing Garut's head. His body wobbles back and forth for a second, as his head bounces in the grass, before toppling over at Scribbleface's feet.
Addressing the spellcasting goblin, he warns, No sudden movements. Tell us what you want and be quick about it. Speak the truth or join in your ex-tribemate's fate.
Draeven dashes up behind Rennyn and levels his bow at Scribbleface. The ominous creaking of the bow string emphasizing his support for the paladin's position.
Clasp your hands together and interlock your fingers! he orders.
- LickToad Village
Relief creeps over the goblin's face. Releasing the spear, it falls to the ground as Scribbleface immediately clasps his hands together, the wooden symbol dangling loosely in between his fingers. Thank you! Gibber, at your service. Taking a small bow, the goblin is careful not to lower his hands, keeping them in plain view. While my story is lengthy, the short of it is, this used to be my home. Gibber's speech has noticeably dropped the formality of courtesan diplomacy but remains respectful none the less. He nods in the direction of the burnt out hut in the distance, To be precise, that hut over there. Like a skilled orator, Gibber's eyes address all present as he begins to recant his tale, In the spring I was discovered by my brethren to be in the possession of writing materials and several books. This is taboo to goblins; it poison's the mind they say. However, I discovered it to be quite the contrary... Trying to speed things up, Gibber stops himself from digressing and gets to the point. For my transgression, Chief Gutwad branded me a heretic, struck my name from the village and bestowed upon me the name Scribbleface. Before banishing me, he had my brethren mark my face, vandalize the words I'd transcribed upon my torsal, torture me then burn my hut to the ground. Left for dead in the swamp I turned to prayer; Gozreh answered. A tear wells up in Gibber's eyes as he recalls the moment he first saw the leaf above him on sunny morning. A drop of water slid from its tip and struck the goblin on the forehead awakening him. Seeking redemption for my past sins the idea to return here occurred to me this morning during prayer. It was in the form of a very clear image of me standing over Gutwad's body...Riding this swamp of Gutwad is, I believe, the first step towards cleansing the sins of my past. Gibber nods sincerely before continuing. As though piecing together a puzzle, Gibber's eyes narrow in thought, A suicidal calling to say the least. To return is punishable by death, but Gozreh may have had something else in mind. I see you have yet to enter Gutwad's hut. Gibber looks past the paladin towards the larger of all the huts in the village. Puffing out his small chest, Gibber proudly proclaims, I offer you my services as healer, however as only one in the group appears seriously injured, he quickly decides that making such a presumption may have been insulting. In an attempt to rectify his mistake, he sheepishly adds, that is, if by some chance, you require such. Searching his memory for something else of use, Gibber submits, I know the Brinestump like the back of my hand. I can show you the place where I found the fireworks Gutwad confiscated. There was a map and other materials hidden in my hut that may have survived... Returning his gaze to the others, Gibber asks optimistically, All I ask is to be present when you slay Gutwad, so that he might know I had some small hand in his demise. It is a lot to ask in exchange for little, but then this goblin is on a mission...
Rennyn listens intently to the story, narrowing his eyes at a particular comment made by the goblin standing before him. You seek redemption?
Draeven shifts his weight and coughs loudly in a scoffing manner but remains silent, his bow still trained on the the goblin.
Fenra moves in slowly as the goblin speaks, her weapons are held in a non-threatening manner and she listens to his words with great interest and curiosity.
Yes. Gibber's expression is genuine. Although I was born a goblin, I can not say I am proud to be one. You see, the guilt of my past deeds will forever haunt me sir. Gibber's tattooed head slowly pans the goblin village. Look around you. There is no home here for me. A similar fate is sure to await me should I find another tribe. Turning his head to what lies beyond the village gates Gibber adds, And I very much doubt there is any civilized place for me to call home. Returning his gaze to the party, Gibber's eyes come to rest on Draeven, Can you name one soul who would not want to shoot me dead? Looking back at the paladin he tilts his head and asks, And why do you suppose that is? Simple. It is for no other reason than because of the way I look. Gibber pauses momentarily before continuing, I am hated on all sides sir; both by my people and by those we live amongst. Gibber gives his shoulders a shrug stating quietly, I don't know if I will ever find redemption, but riding this world of Gutwad ends this chapter of my life and that's a start. Falling silent, the goblin closes his over sized mouth. Should he live this day through to the end, he will be in uncharted territory and in truth, he hadn't really given much thought to what to do next. Standing perfectly still he prays silently to Gozreh and awaits the paladin's decision.
Rennyn inhales deeply and measures up the creature before him. After a moment he says, I am going to examine your aura. If you speak the truth my eyes will perceive it. And if you truly seek to leave your life of evil behind, I will help you. Here today, and for as long as you seek the path of a good life. If you seek to deceive us, or betray us at any point, your life will be immediately forfeit.
Nodding his head backwards toward Draeven, If not by my hand, then by his.
Rennyn then focuses upon the goblin and lets his senses shift to the spectrum of good versus evil.
At Rennyn's indication of him, Draeven bares his teeth at Gibber. Count on it gobby.
Having listened to the entire exchange, Draeven tries to form his own opinion of the goblin and his words.
While Draeven contemplates, Gibber stands patiently as Rennyn's eyes scan him. Finding little to sway him otherwise, the half-orc reluctantly concedes that this goblin may be telling the truth.