GM Rednal's Rise of the Runelords: AE (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

"Unfortunately no, supposedly she may be coming into town soon, I suppose we might want to ask around to see if anyone has seen her." Tanwen says with a hint of disappointment.

While you visit the shops I will ask around town. Tyranius finishes the rest of his tea. The leaves on the bottom of the glass are an assortment of colors as they cling to the edges of the cup.

Standing up the chair slides on the floor with the soft grind of wood on wood as he lifts his backpack onto his muscular shoulder. Nodding to his companions he leaves out the front door. I will see if I can find Shalelu. I will meet you back here in the morning.

**********************************

Outside the tavern Tyranius begins to speak with the locals around town, visiting shops and the sort as he asks about Shalelu.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Ameiko offers Common (the cheapest) and Good rooms, as well as an Average Suite, at the Rusty Dragon - prices are as normally charged, but Ameiko is somewhat famous for offering discounts to people who can tell good stories of their adventures. This can be accomplished through some types of Perform checks (Oratory, Singing, etc.), as well as notable in-game events.

While nobody's seen Shalelu lately - she was in town a month ago, and not expected back - but there was a rumor floating around that she'd helped a family escape a goblin attack on one of the farms. That family wasn't staying in town, but she was clearly busy out in the wilds, apparently investigating the way that the local goblin tribes seemed to have been cooperating for the recent attack on the town. And that, as everyone knows, is rather disturbing. Goblins often find it hard to cooperate long enough to shake hands with each other, much less work with rival tribes towards any sort of goal.

Getting a little bit of information but ultimately finding out that Shalelu is not currently in town anymore leads Tyranius back to the inn. After several hours of gathering information he decides to get a room and focus on the journey ahead.

I need to get my head straight on all of this that is going on.

Entering the inn he looks for the innkeeper and drops off 5 sp to her for a room for the night.

dragging his backpack upstairs he unloads it and sits on the bed in quiet contemplation for the remainder of the evening as he runs through every possibility and scenario that he can think of taking on an entire goblin tribe.

No matter what I run goblins are chaos.

his face grimaces and it continues to throw off his train of thought.

Once again returning to the general store from which he'd bought his previous arrows, Shalluk placed down the list of equipment he'd dreamed up. "I would like to purchase these, if at all possible, please." TGhe Tiefling smiled slightly. "I am aware it is...not a small nor simple matter." And it took the bulk of his gold. But he needed most of the items to fight effectively. Although the food was more of a luxury - when and if he left he had no idea when he could get good food again. His powers meant water was easy, but food...

Expected Total is 1933gp, 1sp, 2cp.

"Hmm..." Ven Vinder looked over the list of items Shalluk had given her. "You'll need to go visit Savah's Armory for the armor. We don't carry that kind of thing here. Gimme a bit for the rest - and show your coin." he added, narrowing his eyes slightly as he watched the tiefling and taking his time checking the coins before bringing out the items in question. The time spent at the armory took a little longer, but Savah Bevaniky - the owner - was on hand to properly fit the armor to Shalluk's body... and she was rather more friendly than Ven, too, giving a 5% discount on the armor and charging nothing for the fitting.

Shalluk failed to notice the shopkeeper's suspicion, as it was the response he was used to. He also gave the response he was used to - drawing his cloak and hood about him, giving short, polite responses and leaving as fast as he could.

It was the armourer that surprised Shalluk, and the Tiefling returned to the Inn to eat and rest for the next day, smiling beneath the cloak.

Tanwen will also visit the armory, once there she approaches the person manning the store. "This armor is getting in the way of my spells, but I don't want to forsake armor entirely. I was hopeing to purchase a Mithral Chain shirt, and get rid of this one." She explains as she takes out a bag of gold.

Savah snickered slightly at Tanwen's words, though it seemed to be good-naturedly, and beckoned for her to come into the back room. Chain shirts were easier to fit than some other kinds of armor, but you still needed to make sure they were on properly, or they could chafe in all sorts of uncomfortable places. It was in stock, though, and the fitting itself didn't take all that long, leaving Tanwen with a much lighter bag of gold and a much easier way of protecting herself.

Tanwen smiled and thanked the woman before returning to the Inn to meet up with the others in her shiny new armor.

Assuming no one wants to do much during the night...

Tossing and turning his way through the evening, eventually the sweat drenched tiefling managed to find a few hours sleep. Still, he woke once more before the pre-dawn light and knew he wouldn't sleep again. Rubbing long fingers through his dark hair, he shrugged, and headed for the bath house to prepare for the day ahead. Maybe he'd try out his new shaving kit...the old one was blunt, but it was also about 20 years old by his count. Once he was done he would dress, breakfast...and see if he could make his new power work. He felt it, in his mind, and he was sure he could make it work. But as ever, uncertainly was his enemy.

Waking Tyranius stretches with a small yawn.

I slept well here. This is a peaceful place

Gathering everything he owns in his pack he gently rolls it and places it in the items known location so all is within easy access.

Master always taught me to know where everything is at all time. I wish he was here with me now.

Tyranius begins to reminisce and think back to days long ago as his mentor taught him everything he knew.

That was until everything blew up in my face....

Shaking his head he grabs the bag by the leather straps and heads downstairs to have breakfast as he waits for the others. Getting to the bottom of the stairs he sees Shalluk sitting at a table.

The food any good here?

Grabbing the chair he takes a seat. So I asked around town yesterday about this Shalelu woman. It seems that she is no longer in town as has not been for some time. It seems she travels quite a bit keeping the goblins in the surrounding area in check.

"The food is excellent," Shalluk replied with a small smile, knowing that for once he didn't have to pay for such a meal. "With a little luck," the Tiefling added with consideration, "She will be somewhere near our target, and we'll be able to find her, but we'll have to assume we must do this without her aid. A shame. Her advice would be most useful."

Yes, Her advice would have been most welcome. We are going into this blind...

Tyranius cuts his sausage into smaller pieces and eats a bit of the spiced potatoes.

The aroma of breakfasts wafts all throughout the tavern.

Do you suppose Tanwen is ready to head out? We should use all of the light we can to travel.

Although Tanwen was a little late to rise, after all a lady needs her beauty rest, she was quick to eat and soon joined her comrades.

"If Shalelu will not find us, then I suppose we'll have to try to find her, hopefully she's near the goblins, since it sounds like that is where she spends most of her time." She adds as she walks up to the others, just barely overhearing that they were unable to locate her at this time.

It wouldn't take too long to reach Thistletop, all things considered - it was only a few miles away. That said, it was probably true that attacking the place at night might be more difficult - and you could leave as soon as you were ready to head out.

Nodding to Tanwen Tyranius looks to the others as he sets his fork and knife down on the plate.

Yes, Hopefully she is nearby there. If not it doesn't sound like we can wait log on the matter.

Grabbing his bag from the floor he says. I am ready when you all are.

"Then I suppose we should be off, the sooner we leave the better, we don't have much time to waste." Tanwen says, confirming that Shalluk was ready to leave before they depart.

If we need to use survival, Tanwen will attempt to aid. Survival;Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7, however that is a fail.

*Rolls Survival*

The three of you left town early in the morning, and that was probably for the best - it was only an hour's journey on foot to reach the outskirts of goblin territory, but once you arrived, you were promptly confronted with a dense tangle of woods, and it was... Hours: 1d4 ⇒ 4 after entering the area that you managed to stumble back out onto the road, thoroughly lost.

Time hadn't been the only potential trouble, either...

Natural Hazards: 4d100 ⇒ (44, 32, 67, 51) = 194

...but you'd been fortunate enough to avoid the most dangerous plants in the area. It was about noon now, and you had plenty of time to repeat your attempt to try and get through the woods.

Shalluk sighed. "Maybe I should try using my new ability, but I fear I need to know where I'm going. All it really does is speed up the journey." Deciding to hold that power in reserve, in case they need to escape, Shalluk tried to figure out a way through the plants.

Surival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Aid survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Tyranius follows Shalluk's lead through the dense woods as he has never been in the area before. He points out a few trails or at least he believes they are trails.

I can find my way around any city but the woods seems to still confuse me....

Save your ability. I am afraid we will need all that we can muster by the time this is over.

Aid Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

"We'll get there eventually, right?" Tanwen says, a hint of doubt in her voice as they continue to tread through the forest.

Those numbers are actually kind of amazing. XD

Perhaps Shalluk should have lead you through from the start - or maybe there was something about the place that was drawing him in. Whatever the cause, it only took half an hour of searching before Shalluk was able to find a narrow path through the woods, sized for goblins - and following that, it was easy to navigate forward and press on to Thistletop. Finally, you emerge into a larger clearing.

The briars and thistles that grow so rampantly in Nettlewood are even more dense and tangled here, close to the shore. Although not quite dense enough to block the sound of waves crashing on the unseen shores to the west, the undergrowth is certainly thick enough to block sight and access to the coast. Few trees grow this close to the edge of the sea, but the briars themselves often reach heights to rival them; here, the patch is nearly twenty feet high. In front of you, however, you're eventually able to locate a four-foot-high mass of thorns and brambles that's been cunningly fashioned into a door of sorts - an entrance to whatever mass of thorns and nettles lies beyond.

"This would appear to be the place," Shalluk murmured as he drew his crossbow. "How shall we approach this?"

Tyranius attaches his Tekko-Kagi to his arm and draws his shortsword from it's sheath.

He moves his arm around to make sure the Tekko-Kagi is well in place so as to be able to block a strike from a weapon without shifting on him.

This does indeed. Lets approach cautiously.

Tyranius sticks to the shadows as he casts a quick incantation on himself.

Nethys will give us the power to see us through a simple goblin camp.

Cast guidance

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28

"Cautiously?" Tanwen asks curiously, she knew her armor wouldn't give her away, but being quiet wasn't exactly her strong suit, and it didn't exactly seem glorious or romantic, she wanted the goblins to see her as she approached, to know that the flame that consumes her was what consumed them.

Tanwen laughed a little as the possibility of going through the camp unnoticed only to take out the demoness who seemed to be orchestrating everything from behind the scenes. That idea would not bring her glory, that idea would not be romantic. This new companion could hide in the shadows if they wanted, but Tanwen sought glory.

The Chelish woman made no attempt at stealth as she pulled out her sword and readied herself for the assault on the goblin camp.

"Let's burn this place to the ground."

Curse my order...

Tyranius nods his head at Tanwen.

Doesn't seem we will be in and out unseen....

Steeling himself he pushes through the thorny naturalistic door to open it.

Reflex DC 15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

With careful maneuvering, Tyranius is able to push open the thorny gate (and avoid scratching himself in the process). Ahead of you, a four-foot-high tunnel winds through the dense briars and nettles. The floor is hard-packed earth, with patches of wiry plants growing stubbornly here and there.

Ahead of you, you can see three passages - one to the west, one straight ahead, and another heading to the east.

The tunnels are meant for smaller creatures, and you must squeeze to pass through.

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Looking for tracks on any of the passages, preferably most recent tracks.

Realizing that the path splits, Tanwen decides to look to the floor to see which path had been used most recently.

Shalluk scanned along the three corridors, looking for any signs of life - or life ending traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Survival Aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Seeing Tanwen looking for tracks he whispers to her a few things that he notices.

Look at that shrub over there. The branch is broken low there like someone stepped on it.

It takes no particular effort to see countless tracks in the dirt, layered and going every which way. However, you do note the signs of something large being dragged through the tunnels, and it seems to have been taken to the east.

[ooc]See the large line heading east. Something quite large went that way.[/b]

Tyranius begins to head east following the track in the soft dirt.

Checking his crossbow was loaded, Shalluk followed Tyranius down the eastern passage. Hopefully the Goblins hadn't captured something large and dangerous to attack them.

You are now in area C3.

Three thistle tunnels open into a large cave-like chamber. Above, the thorny canopy grows thin enough that tiny slivers of the sky above can be
seen, while below, the ground consists of trampled dirt. To the west, the distant sound of sloshing waves echoes up from a hole. There are no creatures here, and the drag marks continue to the northeast.

"Shall we continue to follow these drag marks? In any case be ready for anything." Tanwen notes, holding her Falcata firmly.

Sounds like a good idea as it will help lead us through this goblin maze.

Tyranius continues down to follow the path.

Shalluk nodded and followed the tracks.

As you continue to crawl through the tunnels, it's not long before you see another chamber in this mass of nettles. The floor and walls of this musty-smelling chamber are covered with matted, wiry fur. Well-gnawed bones lie scattered about the floor, and a dozen wooden stakes have been driven into the ground near the walls. Goblin dogs are tethered to four of them, one stake apparently enough for each one.

Tyranius draws his shortbow. We can't have them get free and come at us from behind even if they are tied up.

Nethys guide my arrowHe whispers as he places a hand on himself, Shalluk and Tanwen each one at a time.

Cast Guidance on all three of us

Tyranius fires an arrow at one of the dogs

Composite Shortbow (+2 str): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Sneak Attack damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Arrows 19/20 remaining

Init (Goblin Dogs): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Init (Shalluk): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Init (Tanwen): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Init (Tyranius): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The dogs started howling as an arrow struck one of their number and brought it down, though there clearly wasn't much they could do from their current position.

Note that unless you specifically leave the tunnels, you are still within them - with all the crouching and squeezing that requires.

Shalluk nodded. He had no idea how like there Goblin masters such dogs were, but he had no desire to feel there teeth.

Crossbow Bolt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 10

Tyranius quickly fires another arrow at the dogs.

Silence them quickly before they alert more goblins.

Composite Shortbow (+2 Str): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Arrows 18/20 remaining

Shalluk and Tyranius' bolts shot outwards, plunging into two more of the goblin dogs and bringing them down... just before the vines surrounding all three of you suddenly began moving and darted in from all sides in an attempt to ensnare you.

Reflex DC 14 (Shalluk): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Reflex DC 14 (Tanwen): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Reflex DC 14 (Tyranius): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

...And they seemed to be doing a rather good job of it, too.

The three of you have been subjected to an Entangle spell.

My first inclination would be to burn the vines, but oddly they say nothing about vulnerability to fire, so I guess I'm just going to have to break free.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Although the vines seemed to have a good grab on her at first, Tanwen escapes from the vines. Once free, she moves towards the dogs and away from the vines.

Reflex if necessary vs Entange again: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Seeing he is in trouble Tyranius puts his shortbow away and attempts to remove the vine from his ankle but it is on there tight.

What is this forest? DO the goblins contain such control over nature?

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Shalluk struggled to slip from the vines. "I assume they can learn spellcasting like most races," Shalluk replied, "So it is possible."

Tanwen - naturally pretty good against plants - wasted little time in working her way free of the vines that continued to clutch at Tyranius and Shalluk. Even as she got free, however, a bolt of flame shot out from further in the tunnels and arced straight towards Tyranius.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Somewhat unfortunately for whoever had called it, it managed to miss him despite his tied-up status. In the brief flash of light, however, you were able to see a small goblin form in the tunnels to the northeast.

Glancing at the small monster, Shalluk redoubled his efforts to wiggle free. He really did not want to be wrapped up when the Goblins got to him.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Assuming the goblin caster is on the same side as the goblin dog, I.E. the side I was already headed to.

Catching sight of the Goblin caster, Tanwen moves to engage the caster. She will use her 1/day speed boost if necessary to reach the goblin in a single move, she traveled 15 feet last round and with the boost that would be 20 feet this round, more if it's not all in entanglement. Please let me know if I need to use the speed boost.

Masterwork Falcata: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 201d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (3) = 9

Then after she reaches the caster, she slashes out at the goblin with her Falcata.