Ràghnall fires an arrow at the goblin attacking Iago , but he's just a little off.
Iago sweeps his mace over the top of his shield, catching the goblin with a glancing blow to the head as it tries to spin out of the way. Blood drips from a split in the goblins forehead.
Felicia steps forwards down the tunnel eyes furiously boring into the goblin on the escarpment. She tells everyone to leave that one for her.
Arvhil strikes out at his foe, flail spinning, but the goblin manages to duck out of the way and slips the shield from his useless broken arm.
Roth notches another arrow, ducking down the hall, letting it fly and then ducking back out of view. The arrow sails passed Iago's head and over the goblins as well, glancing off the escarpment wall.
Ràghnall steps quickly down the tunnel as well, firing an arrow from his bow that takes a similar path to Rothwillian's.
The Goblins on the front line viciously attack back, but find their scimitars meet only with chainmail and shields. They duck and weave, back out of reach retreating back towards the cavern wall.
The third goblin fires another arrow from his bow, it flashes towards Arvhil, but the halfelf manages to get his shield up in time the arrow deflects into the floor.
The last goblin begins to tremble as Felicia speaks directly into its mind. He notches an arrow to his bow, fumbling a little and trying to break eye contact with the warlock, finally managing to flick its eyes to Iago it releases the bow string the arrow lands at Iago's feet.
Iago: 2/2 spell slots used
Arvhil: 5hp of Lay on hands used
Felicia: 1/1 spell slots used.
Sildar Death Saves: 1 Success, 1 Fail
Felicia grins as the goblin's attempt to shoot Iago falls short. Her eyes remain cold as she continues to stare at him.
This is your final chance greenskin. Lay down your arms. If you do not, my patron will devour your soul and you will be forgotten by all. she speaks directly to his mind once more before speaking to her compatriots, loudly to ensure that the goblin on the escarpment hears her vocals as well.
Iago presses his assault on the goblin, following him steadily into he cavern. He swings his heavy mace in an upward sweep towards the goblins midriff
Arvhil continues to try and cut his way past the goblins to the wounded and possibly dying Sildar.
Attack-melee:
Damage:
Ràghnall pushes forward and fires an arrow at goblin #5 to clear some room so that the others can aid Sildar.
Heal:
Roth moves closer and fires again! for damage!
Felicia speaks again into the petrified goblins tiny mind. This time his will to fight crumbles and he throws his bow down the stairs and actually crumbles into a heap on the floor, quivering.
Iago steadily advances after the retreating goblins swiping his mace in an upwards sweep that the goblin dodges.
Arvhil strides to Sildar side, finding the man unconscious and bleeding from a wound to his head. Spending a few seconds, Arvhil binds the humans head, stemming the blood flow. Sildar's breathing seams to ease.
Ràghnall pushes forward into the room and fires an arrow that hits Iago's goblin in the chest as it dodges Iago's blow. The goblin stares at the arrow as he topples backwards to the floor.
Rothwillian moves down the tunnel, spying a wounded goblin that's retreating to the back of the room, he fires an arrow into the greenskin's neck. It drops forwards to the floor and lies still, blood spreading over the floor.
------------------------------------
The last goblin on its feet looks about and baring its sharpened teeth with an angry, nasty expression on his face throws down his bow and arrows, crouching in a pose of surrender.
Iago: 2/2 spell slots used
Arvhil: 5hp of Lay on hands used
Felicia: 1/1 spell slots used.
Sildar Death Saves: Stable
Ràghnall slings his bow on his back, pulls a length of rope from his pack, and gets to work tying up the prisoners.
"Keep an eye on these guys and make sure they don't try anything." he calls back to the group.
Iago will move up and stand guard over the goblins taking any aggression as an excuse for a clubbing, partly afraid of the goblins harming any more of his friends
"Got it Raghnall"
Felicia stalks across the room to the quivering goblin she had been "speaking" to.
Good sir Ràghnall, leave this one untied for the moment. His answers will tell us what we need to do. She says quietly as she slips a dagger from the folds of her skirts.
Well done goblin. You made an intelligent decision. I've asked my compatriot to not tie you up, because of how nicely you obeyed me, even if I did have to ask twice. This time, I won't punish you for that. She coos, directly into his mind. Now, do you speak common or must I continue in this barbaric manner, injecting myself directly into your head? Perhaps a good second question is do you have a name you preferred to be called or shall I continue calling you 'Goblin'? she says aloud to the broken goblin as she draws the tip of the dagger across his cheek without breaking the skin.
Roth nods to the others and keeps his bow trained on one of the prisoners.
Ràghnall complies with Felicia's wishes, and chuckles to himself.
He addresses the threatened goblin in the goblin tongue,
"You'd best do what the lady asks and answer her questions. It'll be less painful that way."
Realizing that he might not speak common, Ràghnall interjects,
"I am fluent in goblin if you need a translator, Felicia. Though don't let me get in the way of your fun."
Ràghnall, your assistance is greatly appreciated. Let's see what he says and we will go from there. It may be that I need you to translate his responses. Her grin persists, as she trains her violet-flecked slate eyes back on the goblin.
Arvhil continues to care for the unconscious Sildar. He makes him as comfortable as possible.
"I have, unfortunately, already used my god-given power to heal today. Does anyone else have the ability to rouse our friend here? Maybe he too can tell us what happened and where Gundren Rockseeker is."
Ràghnall concentrates for a moment and feels the magical aspect of nature flow through him for the first time. Ten berries appear in his hand.
He offers them to Arvhil.
"Give his these. They should help."
"I like that spell Ràghnall. Magical healing..." Iago muses to himself, very interesting...
"I didn't... really know I could do that yet. I'd heard of rangers being able to tap into natural magic." Ràghnall replies to Iago.
Arvhil nods his thanks as he places one of the berries in Sildar's mouth and helps the man chew and swallow the first one.
"There now my friend...lets take it easy...one at a time...that's it..."
The goblin that surrendered glares malevolently at Ràghnall as he's tied up.
Felicia's goblin grovels on the stone floor for a minute or so before squeaking out an answer.
" Grak, speak common tongue, Grak name Grak. "
------------------------------
Sildar slowly comes to as Arvhil helps him chew the berry.
" I... survived? " He says, groggily looking around. " I'm sorry, I couldn't die on a goblins terms... thank you. "
Good Grak, it pleases me greatly to hear that you speak a proper tongue. Before my question, I want to fully apprise you of your situation. Yeemik is dead. The Klarg is dead. Save for you and the other goblin there, all of you that were here in this cave system are dead. Know that it is only my generosity, curiosity, and your timely intelligence that has kept your heart beating in your chest. Her voice a far sweeter tone than either her eyes or her behavior have shown. Felicia taps the flat of her dagger against the palm of her hand before continuing.
Now Grak, I find myself in a bit of a predicament. You see, the dwarf that was with the gentleman Yeemik tried to use as a bargaining chip, well that dwarf is what you could call my employer. As I've not received my payment yet, you'll see why it's so important to me that we find him, preferably alive and well. My first question to you is this: Where has the dwarf gone? She says, her voice going from soothingly soft and sweet to cold, and icily direct with the question.
Grak squirms as he squeaks out his answer " Klarg send dwarf to King Grol, at Cragmaw Castle. "
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After consuming the berries one at a time the worst of Sildar's wounds have healed and he seems a little more coherent. " Thank you, for a while there I thought I was going to end up as a goblins meal... " He looks about, noticing Felicia interrogating the goblin. " You are the party that Gundren hired to bring his supplies, right? " he asks Arvhil.
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Wonderful Grak. That is a good answer. The next ones are easier, who is King Grol and where is Cragmaw Castle? Was the dwarf alive when you saw him last? Felicia says as she draws the back of her fingers gently down Grak's cheek
Iago will hold position standing over the goblins, mace at the ready. Although not trained in the art of intimidation, his sheer size, arms and armament would be enough to dissuade rebellion and encourage cooperation in most circumstances
Grak shivers and whimpers at Felicia's touch but answers her questions readily.
" Yes, alive. Cragmaw Castle is Goblin stronghold, northeast of here... in forest. King Grol is King of Cragmaw tribe. He big Bugbear. "
Sildar sits up taking an interest in the interrogation.
" I've been listening to the goblins talk while I was their prisoner. They had orders from some 'Black Spider' to waylay Gundren in particular. Gundren and his brothers recently found an entrance to what they believe is the long-lost Wave Echo Cave, site of the mines of the Phandelver’s Pact. "
" Gundren had a map, and the goblins made sure to send that with him. "
Hearing this Iago has a lot of questions. 'Is Gundren alive..?'
'Who is "The Black Spider" and what would they want with Gundren and the map..?'
'What is the "Phandelver's Pact and this cave they speak of..?" and finally, 'Where is Cragmaw Castle and what is the quickest route to get there..?'
However he holds his tongue, waiting for Felicia to finish her interrogation
'She seems to be enjoying herself,' he muses
Wonderful Grak. You cooperation is very much appreciated. Do you know the way to, or the way into, Cragmaw Castle? Also, what do you know of this Black Spider the man speaks of? Felicia says in that same sickly sweet tone, gears spinning in her head.
If the little greenskin knows the way there or the way in, we may be able to 'convince' him to accompany us. Plus, it may allow us a chance to perpetrate a ruse of some sort. Having a companion would be interesting, something to study. Are goblins inherently evil when you yank them from their known world?
"What is the Phandelver's Pact and why would these mines be important to them?" Roth looks up from sharpening his arrow heads, curious.
Sildar turns to Roth. " I only know the basics of the history from what Gundren told me. The Pact was an agreement between a clan of gnomes and dwarves. The mines are supposed to be full of magically rich ore and the ledgends tell of the Forge of Spells in Wave Echo Cave. Created by the dwarves with the help of some human wizards, its a forge where they made many magical items. It's said that orcs invaded the area some 500 years ago, destroying the original town of Phandalin and causing cave ins in the mines. The place was lost but Gundren and his brothers have been working to find it. "
Grak nods feverishly at Felicia's questions about the castle, indicating that he knows the way there, but when she asks about the Black Spider he shakes his head. " Black Spider pay gold to King Grol to capture the Dwarf and his belongings. "
Ràghnall quietly listens to the interrogation, though his eyes light up at the mention of the forge and magical items.
"It seems our simple task has turned into something altogether more interesting. I have spent a large portion of my life searching for an artefact without success. I would like to help these dwarves succeed at their quest..." Iago strokes his square cut goatee in thought for a minute
"However my mind has taken me away from the task at hand- evil creatures hold Gundren in Cragmaw Castle. Let's away with all haste in the hope of saving him from torture or death. Let's bring Grak, bound and gagged. He can walk for a time and then I'll carry him for a time. Ràghnall, what would like to do with our other little green friend here..?"
I agree Iago. Grak, we will bind your arms to prevent you fleeing. I don't believe he needs gagging yet. The other one, do with him what you will. Grak will behave Mistress, won't you Grak?
Ràghnall ensures the other goblin is properly secured and gives him a light jab with an arrowhead.
"Alright, let's go. You get to live another day my friend. Don't do anything to change that."
The other goblin glares at Ràghnall as he is bound. Grak looks positively wretched but nods when asked if he'll behave.
Sildar stands, taking a goblin sword and belting it about his waist.
" Gundren was canny, and his map was cleverly coded, I'm sure the goblins will have kept him alive. I need to head to Phandalin as I am trying to track down a missing friend there... It isn't far and if you'd escort me there I can draw on a line of credit and reward you properly for this rescue. You could also turn this goblin over to the authorities on charges of banditry, and perhaps rest if you need to. It would be a shame to mount an ill prepared rescue and wind up goblin meat yourselves. Not that you don't seem capable. "
Well, Sildar, you certainly know Gundren better than I did. If you believe he would rather us accompany you, and his goods, to Phandalin, I'm inclined to acquiesce. You raise a very good point about mounting a rescue and falling ourselves. Compatriots, what do you say? Felicia says as she bends to tie a rope around Grak's wrists. She'll hold the lead for him, bringing him down to the other members of the group.
I promise you this Grak: if you do anything, and I do mean anything, to intentionally lead us into unexpected danger or to cause us harm or to keep us from fulfilling our mission, I will flay the skin from your body before I roast your insides with eldritch fury. However, if you are a faithful attendant to me, and to the others in my retinue, I will fight to keep you protected. Perhaps you can win their hearts and minds over if you can guide us to wealth and glory. She whispers directly into Grak's mind as she presses his chin into the air so she can stare straight into his eyes as she communicates with him.
"Huzzah! Let's off to Phandalin then!" says Iago with gusto, a broad grin and his usual enthusiasm
"Let's deliver our wagon but we should keep little Grak with us until we get to Cragmaw. He can provide some inside information about the goblin stronghold... would you like to ask him whether he knows the keep- its layout and approaches- well?"
Iago then shoulders his pack and hauls the other goblin to his feet by his bindings
"This fellow can be delivered to the authorities in Phandalin"
Iago's good mood has returned with the promise of reward and more adventure. His slight smile may well last until they reach the village
Roth looks a little nervous at the idea of returning, then loots a dead goblin for a proper cloak with hood. He pulls it up, shadowing his face. "Yes, let's go back. Hooray." He says in a dead monotone.
We aren't returning anywhere Roth, we're headed onward to our original destination! Then we are maybe heading on to a castle where a self-styled King has enthroned himself. It promises riches and glory. Felicia says, with a smile and a wink to the halfling.
"I have to wonder how such an evil could so blatantly proclaim itself. I for one want to see this area cleansed of these evil beings. People should not have to fear travelling the roads this close to civilization!"
The half-elf seems very determined to root out this evil.
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Roth looks affronted. "I am not evil! I am simply...not well loved in my home country. Like all prophets."
I don't believe he was calling you evil Roth. I think he was speaking of people being beset by goblins on the road from Neverwinter to Phandalin. And Arvhil, I don't believe any of us are advocating to NOT root out these evil beings. Just delay until we can get some payment and outfit ourselves with some better gear, possibly. she says firmly.
Roth looks placated. "Yes, perhaps some replacement bandages and things to keep us from bleeding so much when we take on these guys' boss."
Ràghnall quietly scavenges arrows from the fallen goblins and around the room while the others argue.
"Let me know when we're ready to go. I try not to get in the middle of these philosophical debates." he jeers as he moves around the area, one eye still on the goblin prisoners.
"Ah now if you want a philosophical debate friend Ràghnall I'd be happy to oblige." says Iago as he heartily slaps the Ranger on the back and winks (knowing full well the Ranger is probably not interested in this discussion).
"And Roth, what do you need of bandages when you have a divine healer at your side? Trust in the worship of Amaunator. No evil need overcome you... Arvhil, I share your thoughts. Let's band together against evil- all of us... indicating all the party members with a wave "We'll be a tight unit soon enough... like a company. We can work together to rescue Gundren and rid this region of the pox of greenskins."