"It'll be harder to catch 'em unawares, now that they're on alert." says Farris. Calder adds "Sounds like either we go through a mess of goblins and short-cut it to the head hob, or take the hobs head on. I'm game for either. I owe 'em for a couple of weeks of pain."
"I'd say cut off the head first so that the body ca'na 'ave order." Dara says, pointing to the F entrance.
"But," tipping her tricorn hat to Loke, "that'd b' an all or nathing. We succeed or we die."
"Or we can whittle 'em to death. Strike here," pointing to the lower entrances, "clear a few room, 'hen pull back and just long e'ough for dem to settle and hope they don't be trackers."
The stick that she used to sketch out the map taps gently by the upper entrance, but she's guts and glory or nothing. Not exactly tactically minded.
"Based on the last time we were here, the gobs and hobs kind of work together. There's no way I want to risk all of your lives taking them all on at once. If they have spotters that are going to let them know we're coming," he looks up at Dara, "I'd say our main target is too well defended. We'll get overrun by shear numbers if they all attack at once. Our first objective is going to be finding their eyes and see if we can't blind them. If not, we need to misdirect them somehow. I know goblinoids have good vision at night, but that's usually for a limited distance. Maybe make towards "F" as night falls, then repel down to the Ogre's den ("E") and try to backdoor them through the goblins. We don't use any light until we get deeper in the cave. I'll take out anything still in the ogre's den itself. I don't like having to come up the stairs and over a barricade, but if they think we're coming from the other direction, it may give us a decent chance to get to the barricade before they know we're there. And maybe you can Charm them into letting us in. Any shaking your bombs do up to the goblin chief's room can probably still be mistaken as far as distance and direction. They'll know we're coming, but not necessarily from where, until it's too late. That's the alternate plan, anyway. Let's see if we can't find out if they actually have spotters first. I'll be back. Keep your eyes open."
And with that Alavar and his gear blend into the groves of trees and debris at the bottom of the ravine searching for whatever might be watching the small band of intrepid, genocidal, trouble making malcontents.
To the north, across the mouth of the ravine, in a copse of trees surrounding a dark cave mouth about 30 yards upslope at at elevation of 50ft, Alavaryar spots a pair of orc scouts hunkered down behind a blind. Several hundred yards further into the ravine, about 40 yards upslope, elevation 55ft, a lone bugbear stands watch nearby a well hidden cave entrance. 4 other cave entrances can be seen, with no apparent guards. The fourth dark opening, this one at the back of the ravine nearly 100ft above the rocky floor prickles Alavaryar's senses even from a great distance away with a dark sense of foreboding. The orcs and bugbear do not appear to have spotted the elf stealthily scouting the area.
Alavar takes his time to make sure he has a clear shot on the two orcs and cover to keep his location hidden from the bugbear. He selects only arrows taken from the hobgoblins, sights carefully on the first one, then fires four more in rapid succession, attempting to eliminate them as quickly and quietly as possible.
At the very last moment, one of the orcs shouts a warning to his fellow as arrows rain down on their position! The vocal one takes a hobgoblin arrow to the eye and drops out of sight gushing blood. The other ducks Alavaryar's second arrow putting him in line for the third which takes him off his feet and down, sliding and tumbling down the steep slope to the floor of the ravine where he lies still in a cloud of dust.
A trio of orcs emerge from the cave mouth and move under cover to the side of the dead orc that remained up top. Alavaryar can barely make out through the brush his hob' arrow being removed and examined. A brief argument ensues, after which the three go back into the cave, staying low to avoid getting shot themselves.
Alavar looks to make sure the bugbear cannot see him move from his position, then he slides back through the brush and bramble staying low and to the orc side of the ravine making sure to leave as little trail as possible, out of sight of their position until he makes his way around and back to camp.
When he get's back he says, "Orc's here. Bugbear's here. Other cave entrances here." As he marks there positions on the map. "May have stirred 'em up a bit. Left some hob arrows as souvenirs. But it doesn't look like the hob's know that we're back, so that's a definite plus. I figure Dara can Spirit Walk the area again just before we head out to see if anything has changed, then we'll start in just after dusk so that it limits our visibility from the other side and you'll still have a little light to see with. You'll follow my footsteps until we get into the cave and we can disarm the trap, then you can light up. I'll take point, get into position to keep anyone from fleeing forward and Dara can work her alchemical magics to take 'em down as quietly as possible. Farris, Calder, I need the two of you to make sure nothing jumps Dara unawares and clean anything up my arrows and her powers don't work on. I'm hoping you won't actually be needed until we get through to here." He points at the room with the Chief and Shaman, "but it's more likely we're going to have a pitched battle starting here," he points at room '31', "and possible we'll need your abilities any step along the way." he pauses, looks up at the rest of the party, meeting their eyes in turn. "Are we clear? Any questions? Suggestions?"
Dara looks up in the direction where the orc cave must be, one eyebrow just lifting a bit as a smile curves her lips up. "So den will'a dodge when t' greens come for revenge?"
She nods in agreement with the plan, double checking her supplies and moving around her reagents until she thinks enough time has passed, then...
She sends out her spirit form to double check the locations of the goblins and hobgoblins in preparation for the tactical strike planned by Loke.
Dara looks up in the direction where the orc cave must be, one eyebrow just lifting a bit as a smile curves her lips up. "So den will'a dodge when t' greens come for revenge?"
"Yeah, if needed." Alavar's face is blank, for anyone good enough read thoughts however, "Well, if they're going to attack, hopefully they'll do it right away...and if not, he'll keep an eye out, at least while they're making their way to the cave. Too bad they weren't going after the gobs, but who would believe the gobs would take down a coupla orcs unawares?"
Dara looks up in the direction where the orc cave must be, one eyebrow just lifting a bit as a smile curves her lips up. "So den will'a dodge when t' greens come for revenge?"
She nods in agreement with the plan, double checking her supplies and moving around her reagents until she thinks enough time has passed, then...
[dice=Spellcaster 83]1d100
She sends out her spirit form to double check the locations of the goblins and hobgoblins in preparation for the tactical strike planned by Loke.
[dice=Scout 33]1d100
Dara's reconnoitering of the cave network takes an hour,
and she finds that the hobgoblins are on high alert, all armed and ready, but not moving from their areas. Dara also notices that the barricades have cleverly hidden spearpoints that will make getting over them a little tricky. A handful of cleverly hidden traps are revealed also, tripwires that release spring-loaded wooden arms tipped with spear-heads smeared in a foul-looking substance.
Alavar sighs, "Okay. In light of Dara's new information, let's reroute through here." Alavar points towards the ogre's den. "With luck we'll be able to back door them before they know which way we're coming from."
Alavar will sneak (about 50') ahead, keeping a watchful eye out for traps and attempt to take out the goblin(s) there unawares if he thinks he can do so without alerting others.
One final check of her weapons and gear, and Dara follows Loke along with Farris and Calder towards entrance E. She keeps an eye up the opposite ravine wall where Loke indicated there was orcs and other nasties.
Alavaryar is hit by a strong, sour odor emanating from the ogre lair as he approaches. Looking into the entrance, he sees a lone goblin, hauling on a huge leather sack, trying to quietly ascertain the contents. The goblin is completely oblivious to the elf's presence.
The SW part of the cave is taken up by the skin of a huge bear, lying atop heaps of leaves, likely a bed. In the southern portion of the cave, there is a large pile of bones.
Once the goblin is in sight, Alavar motions the others forward making a sign for just one enemy in view. He draws a bead on the target and waits. If the goblin seems to hear any noise at all, or just as the team is about to reach his position he fires. Trying to take him down as silently as possible.
and assuming his arrows were effective, he enters the room, covering where they know the secret door to be as he motions the others to check on the loot and at least briefly the rest of the room.
Alavar speaks in low tones to Dara, "If you can charm the other two, attach your gas bombs with a fuse, have one of em drop them or whatever in the middle of the room with all the others, that might be really effective for pretty much the rest of the goblins. What do you think?"
The goblin is thrown off his feet by the first arrow as it passes completely through the body and on to shatter against the stone wall. The creature perishes without a sound.
The odor is nearly overpowering once inside; Farris gags once, and wraps a cloth around his face.
The huge leather sack contains several smaller sacks, which contain 187gp, a large cheese, and a small cask of brandy.
Dara starts to head into the cave after Loke, then tears forming at the corners of her eyes from the stench, ducks back out and mixes a quick poultice that she applies to a cloth. Even then she mixes her poisons and outside of the ogre's cave - trusting that Loke will have the hidden passage open for her when she ducking into the stinking hive.
She quietly rolls the poison smoke grenade in between the goblins.
The goblins start to cry out in alarm but the choking smoke fills their lungs and they expire painfully, coughing up blood and fluid.
Muffled by cloth, Calder whispers, "I think I might have found something." As he picks through the large pile of discarded bones, he pulls out a small burlap sack. Dropping the sack he presents 2 scrolls (Heal, Charm), a small stoppered bottle, and a bundle of 6 arrows with faintly glowing runes carved into the shafts.
On surveying the damage, Alavar opens his mouth, shuts it shrugs and merely says, "That seemed to do it."
Muffled by cloth, Calder whispers, "I think I might have found something." As he picks through the large pile of discarded bones, he pulls out a small burlap sack. Dropping the sack he presents 2 scrolls (Heal, Charm), a small stoppered bottle, and a bundle of 6 arrows with faintly glowing runes carved into the shafts.
Calder can't see the smile through the cloth swaddling her face, but her eyes light up. Her voice is also muffled, "Good haul, matey." She looks at the arrows her forehead scrunching in pain as her eyes grow cross-eyed trying to read the runes. She hands them to Loke, "That's elf, ya?"
Dara takes the bottle, unstoppering it, then waving her hand above to get a whiff of whatever is inside, hoping to identify it.
She has the group hold in the reeking ogre cave until she is mostly certain the poison gas has dissipated. Even then, "Ye might'n want to not breathe i' there." Then the group makes its way quietly to the first barricade, Dara peeking over to see if the goblin in room 19 are at all visible.
The elvish runes on the arrows indicate to Alavaryar that they The potion conceals the imbiber for a short time
"+1 arrows" Alavar says after glancing at them. He stows them in his quiver where he can get to them quickly if needed. "Making progress." he says, then heads towards the barricade to inspect it. He does so against the North wall to keep himself from being seen by the goblins and approaches carefully in case there are other traps besides the ones we are already aware of.
Alavar tries to silently move the barricade enough to allow the others to pass through safely and silently.
Once they are through, he will attempt to get in position to be able to take down any goblins that are able to evade Dara's attack.
The barricade is a solid mass of wood and debris shot artfully embellished with spear points. It would take some doing to move it, and even more doing to tear it down. It seems (in Alavaryar's professional opinion) that the hobgoblins know what they are doing.
As Alavaryar creeps forward evaluating the barrier before him, sonething alerts his keen senses and he freezes - a well hidden tripwire a few inches above the floor hidden in debris from the barricade. The wire leads to a spring-loaded wooden arm in the shadows of the ceiling bearing a sharp point smeared with poison.
and so disarm it he attempts to do.
...and either spectacularly fails or succeeds. I think that's a critical success, right?
Alavaryar is easily able to disarm the spear trap, and in doing so recognizes the basic design, working out the mindset of its maker. The elf will have no problem finding these traps in this area, having discerned the technique of the trapper.
Alavar returns. "All right. The hidden trap is disarmed, but it's still going to take some doing getting past the barricade. I'm going to use the clothes the goblins here were wearing to help muzzle the spear points on the left side of the barricade to minimize the danger and then sneak over myself. Dara, I want you to come over after me as quietly as you can. If we both make it over without detection we're going to move into position to try and take out as many as we can so they can't get away to warn others while Calder and Farris start over the barricade. If at any point we're discovered early, I need the two of you to get over as quickly as you can and move to the front to engage any gobbers coming at us." Alavar pauses, looks at the faces before him. "Any questions?"
"Aight." Then Dara moves over the barricade as quietly as she can.... After Loke has a chance to pull out his bow, just in case she screws up.
As soon as she drops on the goblin-side of the barricade, she pulls out another poison gas grenade and tosses, hoping to catch as many goblins as she can.
; halved for AoE
Dara's vault over the barricade is infinitely graceful, but terribly loud as a brace of reagent bottles clatters loudly at her belt. Hearing the noise, Farris and Calder share a quick glance then vault the barricade, rolling over to the other side. Calder swears as his armor gets caught on a spearhead, but lands unscathed. Cries of "Bree YAAARK!!" can be heard from the room beyond.
Initiative!
means a: 10
Dara darts past the men to the corner of the room, tosses in two of the poison grenades she prepared on the other side of the barricade, then darts back behind the cover of Farris and Calder's shields.
Any looks the action draws gets the response, "'eg now. I be crazy na stupid."
; half for AoE
; half for AoE
,
Alavar attacks any that are fleeing...assuming he can see them.
[dice=Initiative]1d10;1d10 means a: 10
Dara darts past the men to the corner of the room, tosses in two of the poison grenades she prepared on the other side of the barricade, then darts back behind the cover of Farris and Calder's shields.
Any looks the action draws gets the response, "'eg now. I be crazy na stupid."
[dice=Spellcaster 83]1d100; [dice=Poison Gas Cloud]4d10 half for AoE
[dice=Spellcaster 83-20:63]1d100; [dice=Poison Gas Cloud]4d10 half for AoE
As Dara scoots into the room to toss her poison bomb, she feels something catch on her foot, and a couple of fist to head-sized rocks drop from the ceiling out of a cleverly camouflaged net.
Dara deftly sidesteps the falling rocks and her deadly grenade detonates in the midst of the goblins. The small green-skinned humanoids begin choking immediately, and within seconds all are twitching on the ground, eyes bugged out and blackened tongues protruding. You can hear some commotion behind the door leading to the goblin chiefs room.
"Is it safe to move through the room if we hold our breaths?" Alavar asks the pirate lass behind him. And assuming she nods in the affirmative, he gets to the corner leading to the chieftain's room and hides, covering the door with his bow.
Farris and Calder whisper simultaneously "Damn.."
Farris and Calder whisper simultaneously "Damn.."
Alavar smiles as he passes the two soldiers, "Yeah. Don't get her pissed at you."
Farris and Calder whisper simultaneously "Damn.."Alavar smiles as he passes the two soldiers, "Yeah. Don't get her pissed at you."
** spoiler omitted **
"Bliming traps." Dara swears as she barely dodges the deadfall of rocks.
Farris and Calder whisper simultaneously "Damn.."
She grins at the pair, "A'ght. I've finally got the formula jest bout right."
Holding her own breath she moves back up corner (looking for more traps this time), then nods, motioning it is mostly safe to move through.
Quietly, "Move to t' door. And take 'em out with another bomb? D' ye want me to leave the door open so ye can taken out the big un?"
"Not yet." he says glancing back, "take my position here. I'll check for traps ahead and up to the door. Farris and Calder, you stay a few steps behind until I say it's clear. Once we get past the side passage, Dara, relocate there. If the door remains closed the whole time, Farris, you open it, Calder you be set to defend us. I'll be ready to drop whatever I can see and Dara, you can lob in one of your bombs over us." a slight pause as he looks them over, "Sound good?"
another pause, "Farris, maybe you can be ready to shut the door again just to intercept incoming spears?" he thinks that over.
Farris sheathes his sword so he can manipulate the door, while Calder nods and both wait for Alavaryar's signal.
Alavar continues to stealthily move up to the door checking for traps and signaling the warriors to follow behind him and then get in position. Assuming he sets off or discovers no traps, he will listen at the door, but with arrow knocked (not drawn, but knocked).
Dara prepares her weapons, barely suppressing her eyeroll at the caution.
Sure it's the smart thing, but it's a downer on the adrenaline rush from barely dodging the rocks.
While they are waiting Dara does think of something important to tell Calder and Farris. "By t' way, if'n it matters, take care of me blade. It be poisoned."
Alavaryar's caution pays off as he finds a well hidden tripwire leading to some loose rocks on the passage ceiling.
However the elf is unable to disarm the trap; he finds that the wire is set far to sensitively for him to safely bypass.
Dara motions for the elf to move back to the start of the hallway that leads to the trapped door. She sheathes her rapier, then pulls out a grenade in her off-hand (right hand). She closes her eyes, holding out her left hand, willing her spirit to stretch forth from her body.
Her spectral hand carefully turns the knob and opens the door. As soon as the door is swinging open, she opens her eyes, the spectral hand snaps into nothingness, she switches the grenade to her left hand and throws.
Which fizzles out in the room. Doing nothing.
"Davy Crockett!" Dara swears.