Gallows of Madness - CORE

Game Master Thrawn007

"No you don't, you little menace!"

With a roar, Galahad charges forward.

MW Cold Iron Glaive: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 = 17, for 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 damage.

Finding a sweet path Helios charges the goblin raider.
ChargePA: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 251d12 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Bani charges forward and tries to hit the goblin.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 = 15

Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

If those attacks don't finish off the goblin, Manus will use his wand. Otherwise, I'll just wait and see.

I'm pretty sure it's very dead.

Bjorn holds his blade, waiting for any signs of additional goblins.

The goblin is easily dispatched. You notice movement from a window at the house moments before the door opens and the shephard boy comes running out. "Thank you, thank you! I thought that vile beast would kill us all."

Galahad grins.

"All in a day's work, m'boy! I am just glad to see that you are alright. Do you have any idea where these goblins are coming from? These beasts usually have a nest somewhere, and something really seems to have them riled up..."

I"I saw them meeting in the woods. One was all scarred up and armored and had a big blade on a stick. The other was shriveled up like a prune. They argued about something, and then split up. I ran and hid. I can show you the place by the river I found them."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Galahad nods.

"That would be extremely helpful! Lead the way..."

"Lead the way but let one of us stand in front. Who knows what kind of traps the vermin have set up around their den."

Bani smiles at the boy "Oh yes show us the way! You are very kind boy!"

The boy leads you past the pastures and into the forest, taking you to a spot along the river. He points downstream. "The armored one went that way, towards the farms. He then points upstream towards the forests and mountains beyond. "The prune one went that way. That one seemed to be in charge, even though the armored one was bigger."

[ooc]You are pretty sure the armored one is the leader of the goblins you killed in the field. The boy confirmed it when shown the body as you headed to the woods.[/b]

"Let's find that pruned one then. This area won't be safe until all of the vermin have been dealt with. Run on back home boy, we'll take care of things from here."

Galahad nods.

"Agreed. We need to destroy the source of this infestation!"

You begin the journey along the river, tracking the goblin, hopefully back to it's encampment. In the distance, you estimate the mountains to be about 4 days journey at the source of the river. There is no telling whether the goblin camp will be in the forest or in the mountains beyond.

As dusk begins to fall, you begin to consider options for a protected area for camp. A forest holds it's dangers, but a forest infested with fiendish goblins isn't something you want to get caught out in.

A small stream passes along the base of a thirty-foot-tall black stone scarp. Strange, horse-sized cavities pock the face of the cliff, their edges smooth and warped as though etched or melted into the stone rather than carved. The air is thick with the stench of decay and rot, beneath which there is a faint tinge of an acrid, chemical odor. Despite the smell, things here are eerily peaceful.

"I got a bad feeling about this..."

Bani frowns.

"Mmm I think there's something wrong in this place..."

"Nothing good smells like that", Bjorn adds as he edges forward looking for signs of goblins.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

With the poor lighting of the cave, Bjorn has trouble making anything out.

Manus casts Light on a fishhook and tosses it into the cave. He then examines the area of the cave revealed by the lighting.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Several things become apparent immediately in the cave.
First, the goblins seem to have made camp here, likely multiple times.
Second, there are drawings in chalk covering the walls. They aren't well done, but seem to be of various goblins.
Third, there is a pool of purple goo in a ring around a dagger.

Galahad frowns.

"More of that stuff!"

He then attempts to destroy the goo with extreme prejudice.

Once he is done, he turns to the others.

"Anyone think they can track where they have gone?"

Perception (to search the area thoroughly): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26.

Bani begins to look at the ground in order to see where the goblins have gone.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 = 20

Galahad notices a glint of metal coming from an alcove about 30 feet up one of the walls while searching.

Bani sees that the goblins have come through here multiple times. The freshest tracks seem to be a number of goblins both on foot and with dogs who headed towards the farms no less than a day ago. Other tracks lead upriver towards the mountains.

Pulling out a rope and grappling hook, Galahad attempts to use that to provide an easier way to climb the rock face.

Since I don't really want to have to roll Climb checks...

Poke.

Bjorn stands guard while the elf scales the wall.

Bani shows the track to her fellow pathfinders "Should we follow them?"

"Of course we do. Onward... to glory!"

What are we waiting on?

Gm?

Sorry about that. I was having additional connection issues with Paizo since the middle of last week. Looks to be more likely on my end than Paizo though, since others weren't experiencing the same.

Eventually finding a way up to the alcove, you find a metal box, it's warn and dented, and has the symbol of the Isgeri army. It's likely to date back to the goblinblood wars. Inside is a masterwork light steel shield and a couple vials.

"Mmm... Can anyone identify the vials?"

Manus casts Detect Magic and tries to identify the items:

Spellcraft (Vial 1): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Spellcraft (Vial 2): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Spellcraft (Vial 3): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"You can usually tell a good healing potion by smell", Bjorn offers as he examines the shield. "This shield's well made if anyone's got an an extra arm."

Anyone can ID potions with a perception check.

The vials contain 3 potions of lesser restoration.

With the goo destroyed, this area looks like a defensible area to make camp for the night, probably why the goblins decided to regularly use it in the past. Nothing will happen during the night, so everyone can recover spells and such without issue.

As you push forward the next morning, you are interrupted by what looks somewhat like a foot long caterpillar hanging about 12 feet above you in a tree. You likely wouldn't have taken notice except it started to make noise as you passed under it. It almost seems like it's talking to you.

Looking at the caterpiller perplexed Helios looks stupified!

Manus replies in Sylvan. "My apologies. We were tracking some goblins when night came and we sought some shelter. We did not intend to intrude, but would like to make sure that these goblins no longer make themselves a nuisance to anyone."

Knowledge to ID creature (all but nobility/local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Galahad looks cautiously from Manus to the creature, and back again.

"What are you saying to it?"

He then concentrates hard on the creature.

Detect Evil.

Manus looks back at the rest of the paryt. "He thinks we're intruding on his territory. I'm just letting him know that we're following some goblin tracks."

The creature is known as a katroomie, which is a small magical beast. They are very rare, and known to be self important. They have innate magical powers, allowing them to command others and turn invisible.

"You are tracking goblins in my domain without permission? So you are a simpleton group of poachers?"

Galahad bows politely.

"Apologies. We unworthy creatures did not know that we were trespassing. Our intent was not to poach - we simply thought that we were removing an infestation; surely doing so would make for a better domain for one so important as yourself?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22.

"The goblins are beneath me. However, if you have proper tribute, I will allow you license to hunt them down. I might even be able to tell you where to find them."

BTW Pic added

Galahad bows respectfully.

"Of course! Such a license would be very much appreciated. What sort of tribute would be considered worthy by a being such as yourself?"

After all, Galahad does try to do the Lawful thing as much as he can :-)

Helios looks at the paladin, then just simply shrugs.

"Perhaps you have food of your lands you can leave as offerings. Foreign delicacies." The Katroomie lowers itself another 5' from a fine silk strand.

Bani bows to the magic creature "I'm glad to meet you!Thanks for your license and for the informations about the goblins!"

Manus (with previous knowledge check) believe Foreign might be foreign to caterpillar creatures living in this forest, and not necessarily food from any particular part of Golarion

Galahad smiles.

"I believe that I have just the thing!"

He then pulls out a loaf of the fresh bread that he was given, and ceremoniously presents it to the caterpillar.

The Katroomie lowers itself lower then tastes it. "Ah and excellent tribute indeed. I will allow you to pass through my domain. The goblins are at the edge of the forest where it meets the mountains. They have a fortress on a cliff there. If you follow the river, it will lead you right to them. However, there is an old battlefield. You can hear the crows for a ways before you reach it. You should avoid that, though the river passes there. Something has happened to the crows, and the only thing worse than a murder of crows is a murder of giant demon crows."

Galahad nods.

"Thank-you for the advice; I am sure that it will be extremely useful."

With a respectful bow, he then continues on his way, following the strange creature's directions.