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

Game Master Rednal

Shalluk glanced at the druid's area. "Shall we see if he had anything useful to us in there?"

Tyranius nods his head. We should check it out.

In the first chamber you come across, a cloying musky scent lies heavy in the air. A matted nest of red and black hair sits to the east, but an examination of the area turns up nothing of interest. The druid's lair is a little further in.

A tangle of vines hang from the thorny ceiling of this chamber, each suspending a clattering collection of bird skulls, rib bones, teeth, and
other bits of gruesome decor. In a few places the vines droop all the way to the floor. A large nest of nettles and thorny vines sits to the south, a halo of half-eaten dead birds and rats indicating that whatever sleeps there eats in its bed. The only treasures here are those a goblin would find valuable - basically, trash.

Shalluk quickly looked the place over, using his unusual eyes to see if there was anything magical, living or undead lurking in the muck. It didn't seem likely, but Shalluk had no desire to get shot in the back for half a minutes work.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Perception Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Tyranius tries to help Shalluk look around in the nettles but just ends up getting in the way.

perception;Aid?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

While not particularly skilled at being able to find just about anything that wasn't explicitly obvious, Tanwen hoped she could assist Shalluk in exploring the area.

There honestly wasn't anything else in the chamber - the Druid had clearly worn the only items of value within this area.

Nodding, Shalluk moved back to the previous area. "Now the North?"

Wiping his hands off Tyranius nods his head. Yea, there is nothing here.

The northern route took you through an empty guard post, and finally, you emerged from the tunnels to find some open space... and something else of rather significant importance.

A rope bridge spans the gulf between the cliff and a roundish, flat-topped island sixty-some feet to the north. Thick patches of nettles and briars grow here and there atop the island, but its most impressive feature is a wooden one-story stockade. Two thirty-foot-tall watchtowers guard the stockade's southern facade. The rope bridge itself is made of hairy rope and thick wooden planks; the whole thing creaks and sways in the wind above the churning surf eighty feet below.

Shalluk raised his crossbow and observed the bridge, crouching down to avoid detection. "My guess would be that is our goal." He sighed, rather wishing he could simply bombard the building with flaming bolts and be done with it. Sadly, given how often Goblins set fire to themselves, it likely wouldn't be much of an issue. At least now they had found the place, Shalluk could transport them forwards and back without any issue.

"I doubt we can get across such a bridge unobserved," Shalluk added, glancing over as he did, "Unless you wish to use my Astral Caravan ability." He considered, to be sure it would work, and nodded to himself. "Otherwise I would suggest you advance, while I cover the rear and use my crossbow to take out any defenders on the walls."

Lets inspect the bridge to make sure it is safe to cross first. These are goblins after all.

Tyranius drops a small pellet on the ground causing a portion of mist to rise all around him. As the mist quickly subsides he is invisible and moves to the bridge to inspect it's safety.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Tanwen looked over the rope bridge quickly before asking, "Well, it's clearly not on fire, why else would it be unsafe just because goblins made it?"

As it turns out, the bridge is trapped... and designed to fall if more than the weight of three people your size is on it at any one time. If your group was any bigger, this would be a real problem, but you should be able to cross safely enough... unless, of course, something comes to chase you back off.

You are right. The bridge should be fine. Tyranius says to Tanwen.

Quickly Tyranius begins to cross the bridge. It looks like it will only be able to support the three of us.

After a moment's thought, Shalluk answered, "I will wait here. Once you are across I can follow. If something moves out onto the bridge then it will be more likely it won't break, and my weapon can cover this distance without issue." Rummaging in his pack for a second, he pulled out some rope. "If you wish, I also have enough rope that we could tie you to this end. Then if the bridge gives out you need simply swing back. Once you're across I can untie it and follow you over."

Tanwen nods to Shalluk, accepting the rope and fastening it to herself before handing more over to Tyranius. "Better safe then sorry, right?"

An abundance of caution can solve many problems - and with the help of your own rope, the three of you were able to make your way across the rope bridge and up to the fort itself.

The stockade, now that you're close enough to really examine it, is made of thick wood. Closer inspection reveals that most of the wood seems
to have been scavenged from ships - a few nameplates remain affixed to some of the beams, while other timbers look like they might have once been masts. There don't seem to be any goblins keeping watch here, but there are a pair of doors up ahead, and they hang ajar.

Stashing the rope once more, Shalluk glanced at the door before approaching, trying to see if they had a trap. Given Goblins it might be as simple as a bucket propped up on top of the ajar gates, but that bucket could be full of Alchemist's Fire.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

"Where these shipwrecks, or did the goblins take down ships I wonder." Tanwen asks herself as she looks over the nameplates on the stockade.

Looks like we are invited in the front door. Tyranius says as he peers his head around the corner.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Shalluk and Tyranius are able to start looking around as Tanwen gets distracted by a few old marks on one of the nameplates. It's, er, a very shiny plate, at least? There don't seem to be any traps or creatures here, though, and moving inside is easy enough.

The floor of this room is hard-packed soil, as if the builders either ran out of lumber after building the walls and roof, or as if they simply never thought about building a floor. A number of poorly preserved horse and dog heads are mounted along the eastern wall, while along the southern wall hangs a pair of large black-feathered wings tacked to the wall with daggers.

Advancing into the compound, Shalluk swung the bow around slowly, staring at the wings for a few minutes. Do I want to know what the Goblins managed to get those from? Looking over the various doors, Shalluk looks at the others. "Which way?"

Note: From what you could see before, you're pretty much at the 'front' of the building. Straight left and straight right lead towards what looked like watchtowers - the other doors seem to go to the inner areas of the keep.

"I suppose the front door wouldn't be a terrible idea." Tanwen suggests, no longer distracted by the nameplates on the door. "Shall we?" She asks as she pushes one of the doors open.

After you. Tyranius says as he blends in with the shadows. [b]You go ahead so I may better assess the situation in case something happens.

Tyranius follows close behind.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

The front doors are those leading between C10 and C11 - there are two other sets of double doors within the chamber. ...With this many doors, it helps if you're very specific about where you'd like to go, because I have no idea which direction you're heading in right now. XD;

I guess we already opened the front door then? If we have then I suggest the door to the left of C11.

I agree

The doors open up into an empty, 15-foot-long hallway going west, which ends in another pair of double doors. There's also a single door halfway down the hall and on your right - the door has been nailed shut.

You can open it with a DC 24 Strength check, or a DC 10 Disable Device and 1d4 minutes of work.

I can't fail that disable device as I have a +9

Tyranius pulls out his tools and quietly makes quick work of the goblin lock as he asks for guidance.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 = 20
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Tanwen cannot offer Tyranius guidance, but she does watch carefully as he unlocks the door.

This storeroom is half-filled with crates, barrels, and large sacks of grain. A small hole has been chopped into the lower side of one of the barrels, allowing pickles and brine to drain out and giving the room a singular stink of vinegar. An examination doesn't turn up anything of value.

Shalluk glanced around the room suspiciously. "Why nail shut a storeroom?" he whispered, wonderingly. He searched around the room, quickly, trying to see if there was some reason for this. Not even Goblins were random enough to seal up food.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Tyranius watches Shalluk look through the storeroom. Because it is goblins.

There was nothing in the room other than what you'd already found.

Note: Any time I mention something like "a search turns up nothing else" as part of the intro text for the room, there is very definitely nothing else to learn/find/take. It's a time-saving measure to let you know when you can move on. ^^

Leaving the room Tyranius motions towards the northern set of double doors.

The northern doors lead to another 15-foot hallway, though this one has no doors to the sides. It does have doors on the far end, though - another pair of double doors, these ones looking to be of significantly higher quality than the other doors you've seen in this place. They're unlocked, and you can hear noise on the other side.

"These doors look like someone important may be behind them, and there is noise on the other side, be prepared for combat." Tanwen suggests as she holds her sword and prepares to open the doors.

Shalluk nods, readying his weaponry and preparing to take his place in the rear guard.

Just lemme know when you actually do want them opened. ^^

was going to wait to see if anyone stopped me/had any preparations to make before opening the door.

With a nod to the others, Tanwen swings open the door in a very obvious manner, making no effort to be quiet about it.

Tyranius prepares himself as the doors swing open.

Nope I am fine with it.

This large throne room is decorated with hanging furs along its walls, mostly black-and-red striped firepelt skins, various dog pelts, and in some cases, what look like horse hides. Four square timbers support the ceiling, their faces studded with dozens of iron spikes, with the lower reaches decorated with dozens of impaled and severed hands in various stages of decay. To the northeast, a wooden platform supports a throne heaped with dog pelts and horse hides. Dog skulls adorn the armrests and a horse skull leers over the throne's back.

There are quite a few goblins in this room, and they're watching what looks like a magical image replicating the attack on Sandpoint when you first open the doors - but as you do, the goblins look up.

"Hold, intruders!" the one on the throne said. "You have no right to approach!"

Nethys guide my words or we shall surely perish in this chaos

Quietly Cast guidance

We have every right from the moment you raided Sandpoint!

Tyranius says as he steps from the shadows. He can hold his aggressive tone in no longer.

Drop your weapons as the town has had enough and has the entire compound surrounded!

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20

Shalluk focused the crossbow on the one speaking, assuming he was somehow important. If that had been the attempted raid on Sandpoint they'd been watching they'd have seen the toll the weapon had taken on there numbers, and hopefully would think twice.

"Your people had no right to invade Sandpoint, but you did, so here we are." Tanwen says, as she approaches the one on the throne without a hint of fear.

"Well, they're not in here!" the lead goblin cried, apparently believing the lie. (Seriously, that roll of his... XD) As Tanwen approached, however, the other goblins in the room whipped out their weapons as the leader hopped onto a giant gecko that had been sitting beside his throne.

Init (Enemy): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Init (Shalluk): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Init (Tanwen): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Init (Tyranius): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Without hesitation, three of the goblins - dressed in better gear than most of their kind - charged straight at Tanwen, even as a goblin in the back began chanting loudly.

Dagger: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 for Damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Dagger: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 for Damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Dagger: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The leader of the goblins jabbed his heels into the gecko's side a moment later, and the two of them shot across the room, with the leader swinging out at Tyranius as he passed and ending up about fifteen feet away from the group.

Melee (Tyranius): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 for Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 = 15
Does not provoke an attack of opportunity.

In case it wasn't clear - one leader, his mount, three goblins with daggers, and one more goblin chanting in the back.

Shalluk grunted, swinging his crossbow off the leader as he engaged Tyranius. The chanter had to be some kind of Bard or other enhancement abilities.

Hopefully, killing him would make the rest all weaker.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 8

The All-Seeing Eye shall guide us through this!

Tyranius says to his companions as he holds his Tekko-Kagi defensively.

Cast Bless. Everyone gets a +1 to attack