Talia put her words to action and shoots the Bugbear.
Talia throws open the door, and everyone reacts.
Riori throws a flask of acid into the room, splashing on the bugbear who roars in anger. Droplets land on each of the goblins nearby.
Cade throws a dagger at the unarmored, surprised bugbear. The blade sinks into its hide.
Karu and Karjys prepare to attack the first enemy to come into reach.
Talia, after opening the door, fires her crossbow at the bugbear, skewering him through the stomach with the bolt. Somehow, though, it yet stands.
Bruthazmus - 7/31
Cyan - 5/6
Black - 5/6
White - 5/6
Green - 5/6
Riori throws one of her regular starknives at the bugbear (making sure she clears Cade's head), and then steps out of the way.
Cade shifts back and forth trying to line up another shot on the bugbear.
Bellum if the bugbear comes out at us...Take it down...hard
Bellum's ears drop down along his head as he lets out a low growl.
"Stuppid Bugbear!" Talia curses. "Die like a good monster!"
In the swirl of the melee her shot goes wide.
"Stupid Bugbear!" Talia curses. "Die like a good monster!" Cursing did not seem particularly helpful as her shot goes wide.
Riori throws one of her regular starknives at the bugbear (making sure she clears Cade's head), and then steps out of the way. It flies forward and slices at the bugbear's arm.
Bruthazmus grins and says, "Come here, elfies! I'm gonna add your ears to my necklace." Looking at him, you notice he's wearing a necklace of shriveled elf ears.
He grabs a flail off the ground and barrels forward, eyes fixed on Talia.
The large dog snaps at the bugbear as he charges, trying to grab a hold of it and pull it down.
The bugbear leaves itself open as it charges, giving the dog another chance to bite him.
S@!#, no time to get a line on him on him now. Up close and personal it is then.
The handsome Halfling is taken back by the bugbear's charge. That surprise is short lived as he smiles at the fool. Flipping the dagger in his hand and then slashes at the charging bugbear.
"Karjys, show 'im!" Whatever the bear is supposed to show, Karjys puts on a gruesome performance as it closes in on the bugbear and starts mauling him. The unlikely duo works off each other: when Karu stabs, the bear closes the gap and forces the foe into Karu's giant-sticker.
S#+&, no time to get a line on him on him now. Up close and personal it is then.
The handsome Halfling is taken back by the bugbear's charge. That surprise is short lived as he smiles at the fool. Flipping the dagger in his hand and then slashes at the charging bugbear. Unfortunately, the dagger passes between the bugbear's legs, and Cade is bowled over by the larger humanoid.
The large dog snaps at the bugbear as he charges, trying to grab a hold of it and pull it down. His jaws catch only air, however, as he fails to grab hold of the bugbear's leg. He tries again, but still cannot get purchase.
Karu stabs at the bugbear as he comes through, but fails to connect. Bruthazmus leers menacingly at Talia, finally close enough to attack the hated elfling.
"Karjys, show 'im!" Whatever the bear is supposed to show, Karjys puts on a gruesome performance as it closes in on the bugbear and starts mauling him. The unlikely duo works off each other: when Karu stabs, the bear closes the gap and forces the foe into Karu's giant-sticker. Karu's spear pierces the bugbear's chest, and then Karjys rips Bruthazmus to pieces.
The goblins screech in anger. Three grab bows, and begin shooting at Cade, while the last one picks up a dogslicer to strike at the halfling.
1=Cade, 2=Talia
All 3 arrows miss the prone halfling, but the one with the dogslicer leaves a small cut on Cade's foot - apparently intent on killing him slowly.
Cade - prone
Bruthazmus - -29/31
Cyan - 5/6
Black - 5/6
White - 5/6
Green - 5/6
Riori tosses another starknife at the goblin in the doorway.
"Good job, Karjys! On to the next goblin bastard!" Wherever Karu's giant-stabber goes, Karjys teeth and claws follow.
Well that went swimmingly...
The halfing falls over to the side of his faithful steed and lands on his back.
B$+&@+%s...Bad form...bad form indeed.
and with those words the young gambler rolls back on his shoulders and suddenly snaps up and lands on his feet with his rapier in hand. The sudden move brings a bright smile to his face as he stabs at the goblin that attacked him.
"What did I ever do to him?" Talia wonders, "Besides interrupting his orgy and sticking a bolt in his butt." She guesses, still shaken by the near miss.
Giving Karu & Karjys a grateful nod she aims the Goblin with the dogslicer.
Well that went swimmingly... The halfing falls over to the side of his faithful steed and lands on his back. "B$%%&~+s...Bad form...bad form indeed." and with those words the young gambler rolls back on his shoulders and suddenly snaps up and lands on his feet with his rapier in hand. The sudden move brings a bright smile to his face as he stabs at the goblin that attacked him. His rapier sticks into the goblin's chest and kills it instantly.
"What did I ever do to him?" Talia wonders, "Besides interrupting his orgy and sticking a bolt in his butt." She guesses, still shaken by the near miss. Giving Karu & Karjys a grateful nod she aims at the a Goblin with the dogslicer a bow. The goblin drops, her bolt in its chest.
Riori, her target dead, waits for an opening.
"Good job, Karjys! On to the next goblin bastard!" Wherever Karu's giant-stabber goes, Karjys teeth and claws follow.
Karjys trundles into the room and mauls another goblin. Karu steps into the room and stabs her spear at the next one, but misses high.
Bruthazmus - -29/31
Cyan - dead
Black - dead
White - dead
Green - dead
Seeing she is little help and that the others can likely take care of the remaining goblin, Riori moves further into the room to be sure the noise generated does not draw more attackers from elsewhere. She keeps a starknife at the ready to throw or slice at an oncomer.
Seeing she is little help and that the others can likely take care of the remaining goblin, Riori moves further into the room to be sure the noise generated does not draw more attackers from elsewhere. She keeps a starknife at the ready to throw or slice at an oncomer.
The remaining goblin fires an arrow at the dwarf.
The arrow bounces off her armor.
is up!
Bruthazmus - -29/31
Cyan - dead
Black - 5/6
White - dead
Green - dead
The special dagger in his off hand, Cade is not able to see a clear shot. He opts for the up close and personal approach. Moving into the room so as to end this conflict quickly.
The special dagger in his off hand, Cade is not able to see a clear shot. He opts for the up close and personal approach. Moving into the room so as to end this conflict quickly. The halfling does so, finishing off the final goblin.
The dwarf tends to her ursine companion once the last goblin falls. With a cloth, she cleans his claws and snout. "Yes, Karjys, I feel ye. Goblins will be goblins, I suppose. Now, my friends, are any of you in need of divine aid? I might be running out of magical oompf for today, but this wand ought to do the trick."
"I also have spells and can channel energy if needed," Riori says.
Cleaning off his weapons, Cade looks around at the others.
If you got that wand handy. I got a few scrapes that could use tending to. I doubt it can fix my boots.
He looks down at his boots with a grunt of displeasure.
...and I just got these broken in. F$!+ing Goblins
He spits at the goblin that wounded him.
Cleaning off his weapons, Cade looks around at the others.
If you got that wand handy. I got a few scrapes that could use tending to. I doubt it can fix my boots.
He looks down at his boots with a grunt of displeasure.
...and I just got these broken in. F$$~ing Goblins
He spits at the goblin that wounded him.
"Save your wand, Karu. Hold still, Goodbarrel." Riori leans over and first casts cure light wounds upon him...
And then casts mending on his boots.
As Riori uses her magic to mend Cade's boots, Talia and the others look through the remains to find any possible loot.
4 x magic arrows
potion
studded leather armor
flail
masterwork composite longbow
20 arrows
4 pp
Necklace of withered elf ears
4 x dogslicer
4 x shortbow
4 x leather armor
4 x light wooden shield
80 arrows
24 gp
As you go about doing that, the center door in the south wall opens, revealing a human man who could be described as ruggedly handsome. He's armored, with a shield on his right arm and a bastard sword sheathed at his right side. He looks surprised to see you, then looks over the central room. His jaw drops at the sight of Karjys, then his face blanches as he sees the pieces of Bruthazmus all over the room. He mutters something under his breath, then puts his hands up and says, "I don't suppose I could talk you into not killing me, could I?"
"I am not getting paid enough for this."
Smiling brightly at the cleric.
Thank you kindly for both magics. I would keep the repair of my boots to yourself. Sandpoint cobblers have come to enjoy my coin and you just might put them out of business with that trick.
He lifts his boot and flexes his foot.
Cade's rapier comes up and points at the man as he enters the room.
You better have a good reason why we should not kill you and if I were you...I would think long and hard about the words that come out of my mouth. It is your life that is on the line.
Cade smiles up at the man and he lets his weapon drop to the bastard sword at the man's side.
I suggest that you unbuckle that pig slayer and let it fall to the ground...then, you can tell us who you are being paid by...mon ami
He nods slightly at the large dog and then looks back at the man.
As the Halfling nods at him, Bellum growls and starts to shift to the side. The large animal is ready to attack if the need arises.
Growl....
"Don't worry, the spell fixes simple damage but can't do custom work. The cobblers no doubt will still be well employed."
As the man enters, she straightens.
"I can't speak for my sword-happy comrade, but I think we can come to an agreement that improves your chances of survival if you're willing to chat."
The man glances at Bellum nervously. "Good dog..." He slowly drops his shield, then unbuckles his sword belt. "I'd like those back once you're convinced I'm not a threat."
"So, how about this? I'll tell you what you want to know, and you guys let me go on my way. Deal?"
He seems sincere in not wanting to be killed, and his offer is genuine.
Cade nods to Bellum and the dog calms slightly.
The Halfling looks at the wreckage that was the bugbear and then back to the human, smiling brightly.
oh...you are no threat.
He looks to the others and shrugs.
Let him...see what he has to say.
He turns to the human with that same bright smile.
Start talking
With a glance at Cade, the dog's hackles lower and he visibly calms.
Riori nods. "Go on."
The man visibly sighs in relief, and lowers his arms. ”Great. So, uh, my name is Orik - Orik Vancaskerkin. What questions can I answer for you?”
"Who do you work for? What have you been hired to do?"
"Um, well, a few months back I was in this tavern in Magnimar, the Mermaid's Bounty, when this angel lady named Nualia approached. She was looking for hired muscle to explore these ruins, and I needed coin to, uh, you know, live and advance my eventual goals of starting my own business back home in Riddleport. And to settle a few debts, maybe. I said sure, and we came here. We being myself, Nualia, a wizard named Lyrie, Bruthazmus, a half-elf named Tsuto, and a Shoanti named Jagen. I thought we were gonna have to kill all the goblins, but somehow she got us in and talking to their Warchief, Ripnugget. Nualia made a deal with him, and, uh, we started exploring some of the lower chambers. Nualia's been pretty much obsessed with the chambers down there, and I've just been...well, here, kinda just waiting to know what I'm needed to do."
The Mermaid's Bounty is a very seedy tavern down by the docks in Magnimar, typically frequented by those with either criminal ties or criminals themselves.
Riddleport is a fairly lawless community north of Sandpoint, run by criminal families. Most people from there have some kind of criminal past.
Orik is telling the truth, but he's also keeping something back.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+9
[dice=Knowledge Local, untrained with reflexive improvisation]1d20+1+2
Riori raises an eyebrow. "The kind of 'businesses' folks start in Riddleport are like the sort of 'businesses' people ran where I grew up... not terribly upright. I appreciate you've not lied to us, but what aren't you telling us, Orik?"
"Nualia. Now there's a name with a whole lot of trouble attached to it!" Talia remarks dryly. "The woman behind the attacks on Sandpoint in fact. Being associated with her means you're in a lot of trouble."
She gives him a smile. "Perhaps you could get out of that rouble if you tell us the whole story?"
Orik looks very uncomfortable as Riori and Talia press him before saying, "Okay, so, when I left Riddleport, I may have had to kill someone, and his brother may be incredibly powerful. So, my business may not so much be a business as the idea that I might be able to go back and challenge that guy so I can take over his position."
Shifting even more uncomfortably, he said, "Also, Nualia may have asked me for some advice while planning to attack Sandpoint. But I am not into that Lamashtu demon thing she is! And I've been looking for a way to leave. So, since you killed Bruthazmus and the goblins upstairs, maybe I can just take my leave? Look, just don't kill me. I really don't want to die."
Whatever brought the man here, Karu has no beef with him. Well, no beef other than the fact he might be complicit in all this but even if so, how much water did he add to this bucket of trouble? A drop or two? Perhaps it's best not to know and to simply roll the dice. If given the chance, would this man go out to do good? Stop thinking!
"If we were like your lot, you'd already be dead, lad. I can't speak for my companions, but I wish you no harm. Perhaps ... perhaps they do," and she nervously glances at the halfling. Like that, Karu feels her throat swelling up and no more words manage to come out.
"Tell us where Nualia is, and as far as I'm concerned you can go on your way. I'd recommend far from both here and Riddleport."
"... perhaps they do," and she nervously glances at the Halfling. Like that, Karu feels her throat swelling up and no more words manage to come out.
Cade sees the look and keeps on smiling. He turns to look at the human.
Bellum...The dog's ears perk up as Cade looks up at the human. His smiles is bright and big.
...come.
The dog looks from Cade to the human and then back to Cade. He moves to stand next to Cade.
Nualia...Lyrie...Tsuto...Jagen
So you were force to flee for your life from Riddleport for your actions. You may have given some advice about how to sack a town of innocent men, women and...children. You really are a piece of work.
The way Cade is gripping his weapon is plain to anyone that he is very angry. It is also plain to anyone that his smile is not genuine at all, it is more forced than anything. This is the first time anyone has seen his smile be anything other than a sign of his happiness.
Your next words will determine if I feed your balls to my dog while you are still alive.
He pats the head of Bellum and scratches his ear. The dog growls softly in response.
If your words are found to be truthful...then you can walk out of here...with the promise that if I ever see you...I will kill you.
Let us see if they know that some of their friends are not coming back to them.
Now tell me about Nualia, Lyrie, Tsuto and Jagen...Where they are....What they are capable of...Who they travel with...I also want to know what forces they have available to them. What is on this level and what is on the others levels. What allies do they have besides the Goblins.
Cade keeps his hand on his weapon. He looks to the remains of the Goblins and the Bugbear.
...Your move...
Bellum keeps pacing back and forth as he watches the strange human.
When his master calls for him, the dog's ears respond and he prepares to attack the human. The large animal lets out a low growl.
The command to come to this masters side brings a bit of confusion to the dog. It looks from his master to the strange human and then back to his master. He walks slowly over to his master all the while his eyes remain on the strange human.
Standing beside his master, Bellum watches and waits for the command to attack. The scratching of his ear makes him happy but he still watches the human.
Growl
Seeing Cade is getting serious Talia casually strolls around until she is behind Orik.
Orik glances at Cade - despite his size, the halfling with the dog really was intimidating. His face pale, he says, "Tsuto never came back from Sandpoint - I assumed you guys either killed him or he got arrested. Lyrie is usually in a room over that way," he points back the way you came, "doing research on some of the artifacts from the rooms down below. Jagen's dead - when he, Nualia, Lyrie, and Tsuto first went down there, he got chopped up by some trap. I've never been down there, so I don't know where or what it is. Nualia spends all her time down there, trying to reach someone or something called 'Malfeshnekor.' I don't know who or what this Malfeshnekor is, but the goblins seemed to think it some sort of giant goblin. I guess some of their warchiefs could hear Malfeshnekor talk in their heads.
"There's a secret door in the room Lyrie's usually working in that leads down to the next level where Nualia is working. Nualia has these three flying, hairless monster dogs that creep me out - especially when they howl. Two of them usually fly around the chapel, and one of them is with Nualia at all times. There are prison cells over there, but I've never seen them, and I don't know if anyone's over there. Across from the temple of Lamashtu is a path leading to a couple of rooms. I've never been in them, but the goblins are afraid to go in there - apparently there's some wriggly monster in there. Reason enough for me to stay out, as far as I'm concerned. I don't think those two rooms go anywhere, though.
"That's everything I know, I promise. Can I please leave now?"
"Some of the things he said track with things we've already seen. I've little reason to doubt the rest." She gives Cade a hard look. "We'll let him go as we said we'd do."
Cade steps in closer to the taller human and looks up at him. He appears to ignore the command of the cleric, and does not even look at the her.
...you have to the count of ten...if you are still within my sights...I will change my mind...
He steps away...
...run...
He casually rubs Bellums head as he looks at the human.
One...two...three...
Orik grabs his shield and sword and runs past you, up the stairs as quickly as he can.
Making sure everyone is ready Talia moves to check the next door.