Male CG Half-Orc Unchained Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager) 6.1 | AC 21 (T 13/FF 19) | CMB +11 CMD 24 (FF 22)+2 CMB/CMD Sunder | HP 65/65 | Init +3 | Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +2 | Perception +5 | Darkvision 60' | Speed 30' | Orc Ferocity 1/1 | Rage 12/16 | Draw Weapon as Free Action during Surprise | +2 STR & Ignore 2 Hardness to break object+Smasher: Ignore 6 Hardness | Damage Reduction (3/-), (6/lethal) | Extreme Cold Endurance(Cold Resistance: 1)| Active Conditions:
Yiaho pushes through the group to where he can stand next to the bugbear and then swings his maul awkwardly in the small room as to not hit his allies as he attempts to finish off the bugbear.
The bugbear goes from "stunned" to "wounded" to "dead" in rapid succession. As the Pathfinders' ears stop ringing from the blast of Evan's musket, a new sound fills the air - four long blasts on a signal horn and a harsh voice yelling commands.
As the bugbear slumps to the floor, a bottle and skull fall from his belt pouch. Closer examination reveals that skull has another bottle inside it.
Spellcraft DC 18:
The bottle contains a potion of cure moderate wounds.
Spellcraft DC 16:
Inside the skull is an oil of magic weapon.
Perception DC 15
Spoiler:
There also seems to be an emerald wedged into the base of the skull's hollow, probably to hold the bottle in place so it didn't jiggle around.
"Good job killing the stunned critter we could have captured and then interogated for information... He was down for the count... we don't need to act as common tughs" Zhatara comments, a bit irked by what she clearly deems an unneeded use of force.
Then the mesmerist turns to the half elves:"So... what do we have here? Who are you and why are you being kept here? Supper?" she asks casually at the chained prisoners.
The two half-elves quiver, either from fear or starvation, as they mutely shake their heads in response to Zhatara's questions. One of them says to the floor, "Slaves. Cook." Raising her eyes to meet Zhatara's, she asks, "Help?" She keeps her eyes on the mesmerist, visibly trying to avoid looking at either the smashed bugbear or the half-orc who did the smashing.
To clarify, the half-elves are not chained to anything.
As Xiao climbs past Evan, he hears the sound of yelling and perhaps people moving in the room beyond. The sounds are harsh and guttural, and he can't make out distinct words.
Male CG Half-Orc Unchained Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager) 6.1 | AC 21 (T 13/FF 19) | CMB +11 CMD 24 (FF 22)+2 CMB/CMD Sunder | HP 65/65 | Init +3 | Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +2 | Perception +5 | Darkvision 60' | Speed 30' | Orc Ferocity 1/1 | Rage 12/16 | Draw Weapon as Free Action during Surprise | +2 STR & Ignore 2 Hardness to break object+Smasher: Ignore 6 Hardness | Damage Reduction (3/-), (6/lethal) | Extreme Cold Endurance(Cold Resistance: 1)| Active Conditions:
Yaiho grabs the shoulders of the two half-elf slaves and drags them into the southern room and points to the secret door. "You in way. Go through secret door. Yaiho keep orcs off away why you escape."
”Enora” | Female LN Small Halfling Arcanist 4 | HP 27| AC 13, T 13, FF 11 (Mage armor: AC 17, T 13, FF 15) | CMD 12 | F +4 R +5 W +5; +2 vs. fear | Init +2 | Perc +1 | Speed 30ft |
Zhatara scoffs at the half orc:"Hobgoblins, not orcs. And... here's something to eat" the mesmerist hands the famished elves some of her rations
Say, 4 rations, 2 each
"But before you go... Can you tell us anything useful about the fort? Who's in charge, where we can find them? Traps? Anything you can think of that could help us deal with those who enslaved you?"
"Um..." the other captive says slowly, "we take food upstairs to the captain. Vos doesn't really leave his room on the west side of the keep from what I could understand of the hobgoblins grumbling."
The first half-elf shudders. "Rather 'im than that 'obgoblin commander," he says. "Just hangs out in the banquet hall to the west upstairs and gives orders. Heard she's none too happy about being here - threatened to leave and take all 'er troops with 'er at least a few times. Nearly lost my head when she threw that plate."
"Better 'er than that goblin snake on the stairs to the north," the other retorts. "I swear, I feel like she's going to turn me into a frog and then gobble me up every time I have to pass 'er."
Both half-elves are grateful for the rations and are happy to hide in the secret passageways until the Pathfinders finish their mission and can escort them safely back to civilization. The signal horns are less frequent now, and the stomp of armored feet can be heard spreading out throughout the keep.
In the secret passageways, you've got ladders down (that you used to enter the keep) and stairs up marked with blue arrows (down and up respectively).
”Enora” | Female LN Small Halfling Arcanist 4 | HP 27| AC 13, T 13, FF 11 (Mage armor: AC 17, T 13, FF 15) | CMD 12 | F +4 R +5 W +5; +2 vs. fear | Init +2 | Perc +1 | Speed 30ft |
”I would propose that we go to this captain first and find out what this is all about!“
Climbing up the secret ladder in the secret passageway, the Pathfinders find what looks to be a secret armory, packed to the brim with a mixture of light and medium armors. From this side, a moving wall panel is easily visible to the south.
Perception DC 25:
Amongst loose pieces of armor is a ring of protection +1.
As Xiao retrieves the ring, Yaiho opens the wall panel to reveal an open stone rampart looking out across not only the keep's main gate, but also the river valley below and dark forest beyond. A large iron grate, ten feet by twenty feet, has been installed in the center of the rampart's tiles near a large cauldron placed over a fire pit. The cauldron contains traces of a viscous, oily substance, but is otherwise empty. In addition to the secret door, three exits grant access to this rampart - two trap doors on either side of the grate leading down, and a set of solid double doors to the north leading back inside.
Three hobgoblins holding bows stand on the rampart, looking around for intruders. They do not seem to have noticed the Pathfinders yet, but that is certain to not last for much longer.
There are several ways to resolve this encounter - we'll go with the majority.
”Enora” | Female LN Small Halfling Arcanist 4 | HP 27| AC 13, T 13, FF 11 (Mage armor: AC 17, T 13, FF 15) | CMD 12 | F +4 R +5 W +5; +2 vs. fear | Init +2 | Perc +1 | Speed 30ft |
On her turn Zhatara will move in range of the hobgoblins and unleash another color spray, focusing her gaze on the one with the most hit points left to lower his resistance on will influencing spells.
...and it falls to the ground. The other two raise their voices and bows, yelling, "Trouble!" as they each send a pair of arrows at Yaiho (the yellow one taking a step back from the half-orc first)...
...and while one arrow clatters harmlessly against the wall, the rest sink deep into the barbarian, one finding a gap in his armor and piercing deep into his neck. Zhatara races forward and stares at the yellow hobgoblin before creating a dizzying swirl of colors...
Will, Hypnotic Stare vs DC 16:1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 2 = 3
...and he falls to the ground unconscious.
Since Zhatara could not reach the red hobgoblin in a single action, I directed her spell towards the conscious opponent she could reach.
Round 1, 2! Bold may act!
Xiao
Evan
Yaiho (-31)
Yellow
Red Zhatara Blue Enora
Male CG Half-Orc Unchained Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager) 6.1 | AC 21 (T 13/FF 19) | CMB +11 CMD 24 (FF 22)+2 CMB/CMD Sunder | HP 65/65 | Init +3 | Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +2 | Perception +5 | Darkvision 60' | Speed 30' | Orc Ferocity 1/1 | Rage 12/16 | Draw Weapon as Free Action during Surprise | +2 STR & Ignore 2 Hardness to break object+Smasher: Ignore 6 Hardness | Damage Reduction (3/-), (6/lethal) | Extreme Cold Endurance(Cold Resistance: 1)| Active Conditions:
Shocked a little bit by the amount of damage he took from the arrows, Yaiho still pushes onward to attack the last hobgoblin standing up. Putting a lot of his power behind it.
By the time the half-orc is ready to go again, Evan has determined that if the Pathfinders have 20 gallons of oil and can heat the cauldron, they could pour boiling oil through the grate onto the keep entrance below. There does not seem to be any oil supply on the rampart, but a set of double-doors to the north look to lead back into the keep (as does the still-open secret door).
"Let's wake one of them up and ask some questions..." Zhatara says as she points at the captive hobgoblins.
Once one of them is awake the mesmerist speaks to him in a soft yet dangerous tone:"So... tell me, whos's your leader and how can we get to pay him a visit? Feel free to lie but remember... it's a long jump from up here to the courtyard below..."
The hobgoblin, clearly terrified of Zhatara, blurts out as quickly as he can, "Pay-him-visit-yes-through-doors-turn-left-Vos-there-please-don't-kill-me!" He starts blubbering and whimpering.
Yaiho doesn't hear anything through the thick door, especially not over the prisoner's rapid-fire speech.
”Enora” | Female LN Small Halfling Arcanist 4 | HP 27| AC 13, T 13, FF 11 (Mage armor: AC 17, T 13, FF 15) | CMD 12 | F +4 R +5 W +5; +2 vs. fear | Init +2 | Perc +1 | Speed 30ft |
Enora is happy that nobody has to die if that is not necessary! At the same time she is afraid of what comes next is the confrontations are becoming more and more dangerous!
”Let us proceed! This general or captain or whatever needs to be captured and interrogated so that we understand what all of these people are doing in this keep!“
Evan hears muttering and perhaps some growling on the other side of the door before Yaiho opens it. The octagonal room on the other side has a large stone pillar in the center and four sets of double doors on the north, south, east, and west. Four hobgoblins patrol around the pillar, accompanied by two very scruffy-looking dog-rat creatures.
Xiao tries to throw a dart at one of the hobgoblins, but the small space between Evan and Yaiho gives him little room to work with and his projectile hits the wall instead of its target. The hobgoblin tries to resist Zhatara's enchantment...
...and he lops its ugly head right off before the anger fades from his eyes and he looks around in bewilderment. His allies ignore his confusion, yelling, "Captain! Boss! We found 'em!" before charging forward with swinging swords...
...but perhaps the sight of their companion ruthlessly murdering an ally has unnerved them as both miss their targets.
Knowledge (nature) DC 11:
The dog-rat creature is a goblin dog, best known for producing a highly irritating dander that infects anyone who touches or comes into contact with the creature. That's really the only thing interesting about them.
Round 1, 2! Bold may act!
Xiao
Zhatara Red
Purple
Blue
Orange
Green
Yellow Enora
Yaiho
Evan
