Gaius Julius's Emerald Spire for PFS

Game Master Gaius Julius

This darkness is insufferable. complains the gnome.
Hoping Martina's swing took out the last goblin, if not I will cast Guidance on Barrakhan again.

If Martina's strike doesn't fell the goblin.

Rilka moves quickly around Martina, staying out of the goblin's reach, to quickly dart in and slash at the goblin with her blade.

Starknife: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Martina's strike does indeed bring down the goblin.

Combat is over.

Martina proudly thrusts the impaled goblin into the air with a triumphant laugh. "I think this is the last one. These savages will not soon forget the day they challenged Martina Tristram, Bane of Goblinkind!" she announces, then flicks the blade down and allowing the goblin to slide off. After a quick cleaning, the blade returns to its scabbard.

Squinting in the dark, she asks "has anyone seen my torch?"

Well these savages won't be doing much anymore.

Rilka laughs before she begins to pat down the goblins, looking for anything useable.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Um I guess but it seems like it will be hard for them to remember since you kind of killed them all... Jubal interjects, though he quickly adds not that I'm complaining.

He busies himself helping Rilka with searching the goblins. Do you think they were living here? Or were we just unfortunate enough to come across a patrol?

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Martina shrugs. "...well, maybe there were others watching, and they ran away, and they can tell the story..." she says, finally locating her discarded torch. "How many goblins do you think I'd have to kill to start calling myself Martina Goblinbane? I think it has a nice ring to it. I'd originally planned to become the bane of something larger, but now that I think of it, everyone hates goblins. Maybe we can get some free drinks back in town out of this..."

"You're probably right about that Martina. This darkness seems like the perfect place for those little pests. They can see right through it like you can't they Barrakhan? Should we keep going or see about those drinks? I'm feeling next to useless with what I have prepared."

Well even the greatest hunters had to start somewhere Martina, but I think we should search a bit more. We don't know if these guys were living here or just exploring like us.

I'm sure goblins are OK in you get to know them.. Jubal adds meekly, They are probably just a product of their environment, and prejudice against them doesn't help. he adds a little more confidently but still not confrontational.

That is quite possible Jubal. I've heard of some goblins who don't try to eat you right away. Just seem to always run into the ones that want to kill you rather than talk.

"I must admit, I think I heard tales in Absalom that they have even allowed a few to join the Society. But, whether products of their nature or environment, I think most of them are thoroughly and irredeemably evil. Search more it is. Which way do you think we should go Barrakhan? You're the only one that can see further than the length of your arm."

Still here, just letting you roleplay a bit and make your decision.

Maps are also updated.

Goblins in the Society!?!? i Haven't heard that but I do hope it is true. I would like to thing the 10 are a progressive sort always willing to look past stereotypes.

I have hear of a few goblins in the Society. Haven't met any, but I have heard of some.

Rilka takes a moment to look around, trying to see through the darkness.

So... um, what way do we go? Barrakhan can you see anything?

"It is hard to believe. From what I've heard most goblins think that writing steals the words from your head, but of course as a Pathfinder, it is a critical skill. Still, I think you're right Jubal. It is good to know that such exceptional goblins would be welcomed by the Ten."

They could draw pictures of there deed? Jubal offers after a moment of thought. Then he squints into the darkness and takes a couple deep breaths as if sniffing the air in either direction.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Martina snickers. "The Society works with anyone who can get the job done. Sczarni thugs, Chelaxian diabolists, and apparently, a group of unemployed barflies like us."

"Now if you're all done talking about imaginary goblins who aren't tiny psychopaths, I think we ought to start moving on" she says, moving to the east carefully with her torch.

She's awfully snippy Jubal whispers to Red and Rilka as the follow the Cavalier.

As you move eastward, you notice two ways forward—northeast, and south.

Are those stairs to the north, GM? And is anything unusual about the curved wall to the south?

Martina calls for Oakley to join her, then carefully creeps north to explore.

Those are indeed stairs to the north, though they seem badly damaged—mostly rubble at this point.

She's just upset that one of those little psychopaths almost got her. Rilka whispers to Jubal as she walks by, casting light on her starknife before following Martina.

"Stairs to the left," advises Barrakhan in a gravelly voice. "We should skirt the perimeter for a more complete view of the premises," he continues in surprisingly erudite phrasing.

He then leads the way northeast, acting as the eyes for the party.

"Unemployed barflies? She can speak for herself. I was sent here by Zarta herself." Red whispers to Jubal and Rilka. "I hope you're right that its just the goblins. Surely she couldn't have expected this would be easy though. Otherwise someone would have explored this ruin long ago." Red trails along behind Barrakhan, trusting to his guidance in the dark.

Jubal continues to whisper to his companions, I don't know I think she might looks down on us, in a manner of speaking, due to our stature. Remeber how she had here horse protect us 'little ones'? Stopping to listen to the Investigator, That sounds like a good plan Barrakhan, lead on please.

You walk toward the stairs, but quickly notice that they have long since become blocked by the collapse of what looks like the original entrance to the structure. The way is impassable.

I meant northeast, towards where Martina is on the map.

Red whispers back, "You know, I had really just assumed she was just overly protective, but you might be right. Now isn't the time, but maybe its time for a talk over some hot food tonight."
Red continues to follow along with Barrakhan.

That sounds like a splendid idea!.

As you move northeast, you enter a round tower that is badly damaged, its floor strewn with rubble.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Um I think I might have found the entrance to the goblin's warrens. Jubal says as he points out a cramped tunnel leading east covered by a dirt cakes piece of canvas.

Are there any sconces in the walls where Martina can put her torch?

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Hmmm yeah that looks like how those critters were able to make it in here. Do we check it out?

"I see it too. They might have something rigged up there to let them know if someone is coming. We'd best be careful with it."
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

@Martina—yes, there are sconces that you can use.

The tunnel is pretty tight, so it would count as squeezing (10 ft. of movement/square, -4 attacks, -4 AC). If you choose to head down the tunnel, let me know your order (it'll be single file). Martina's horse won't fit.

When you look into the tunnel, just inside, you notice a rope hanging from up above.

"A trap or a trap release," opines Barrakhan.

Perception + Trap Spotting: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6 Drat.

"Maybe. Let me have a closer look."
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Squishy. Put Red in the middle toward the back. Should probably have a rear guard for single file.

Barr should go first, since he can see. Rilka can take the back.

"Do we really have to go in? It's probably just a goblin nest...and I can barely fit in there. Why don't we just block up the entrance so they can't sneak out on us, and finish exploring this place? I'd really like to find some way of turning off this damned darkness."

"We don't have to," growls Barrakhan. "But until we do we're going to be dogged by goblins. Admittedly we may be in any case. Shall we put it to a vote?"

I'm up for either one. Maybe we can just block it up and look around some more. Maybe there is something else around.

"This whole place is probably a goblin nest, but wouldn't we kick ourselves later if this part was where the switch is? I vote we continue on."
But quite ok going with the group vote.

As Red studies the rope, she notices that it seems to be rigged up to do something near the entrance to the circle room—potentially releasing some rubble from up above, though it's hard for her to tell with the darkness.

"This does look like a trap, but one to do something back by the entrance to this room. Hard for me to tell for certain, but it might drop rubble that would trap us. Do you think any of you could disconnect it?"

Martina says nothing, but looks expectantly at the three Halflings.

Red looks right back at Martina, then around at the rest. "The Ten did send us with someone who could disarm traps didn't they? Its a ruin. What did we hear in every class in Absalom? Ruins. Traps. Right?" She stops and thinks for a moment. "Well. I do remember one of Master Farabellus's lessons. If you ever find a trap and no one can handle it, send the big strong fighter. Martina, you're up."

Are you hoping to have Martina try to trigger the trap? Just trying to clarify. If so, I'll need her approval first!