The next two doors open into small living quarters: A bed lies against the northwest wall and candle burns steadily on a small table in the two tidy rooms, which seem far cleaner than the rest of the tower.
That leaves the other set of double doors, which Violet opens to find a tall table in the center of the room holds a large map of the Southern Fangwood covered with marks and figurines, while a large cloth map—more recent and covered in heavy notations—hangs on the northwest wall. A large window to the south looks out over the surrounding forest.
Two hobgoblin women look up as the door opens and -- seeing that you are certainly not hobgoblins -- immediately fall into a fighting stance, reaching for their belts, where they have several pouches and numerous daggers.
"More hobgoblins, this place is infested with them!"
Brostic will draw his healing wand and prepare to heal anyone who requests it.
Arryn moves 15 feet east, and let’s a tanglefoot bag fly from where he stashed them.
+ entangled. Reflex DC 15 or be stuck to the floor.
He reappears as he attacks, of course.
Vexras: 18*
Violet: 15*
Dorrin: 10*
Brostic: 23
Arryn: 21
Antagonists: 19
The first of the two hobgoblins grunts as Arryn's tanglefoot bag slams into her, but she's quick enough that she doesn't appear to be stuck to the floor. Brostic meanwhile pulls his wand, just in time to see the two move quickly around the room, flanking Arryn. Somehow, though, he manages to avoid their fists.
Orange: 28, entangled (moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity); 1 sf
Without a terrible amount of thought, Violet charges in and attacks the first hobbo she sees.
Dorrin moves in and steps back, taking aim at the northernmost hobgoblin and firing!
Vexras darts into the room, weaving near to each of the pugilistic hobgoblins before slipping by Arryn. He falls into his forms, bringing his gleaming sword around in a sudden, low angle to slip under her guard.
HP: 45/45
AC: 25 (19 T / 16 FF) (includes +1 from haste)
Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +7/+8/+6 (includes +1 from haste)
Arcane Pool used: 1/7
Extend charges used: 1/3
PoP used: 0/2
|Prepared Spells|
Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic
Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [ ]
Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [ ]
Lvl 3 (1): haste [X]
Ongoing Effects
mage armor, extended (12 hours): +4 AC
arcane pool: +1 keen (1/10)
piranha strike: -2/+4
There’s a sudden whoosh of wind and force, and Arryn leaps into the air, does a back flip over the table to land on the other side. Then a pushing gesture with his hands sends the table flying at orange.
Natural 1s suck (especially 3 times in the last 8 attack rolls).
Vexras: 18
Violet: 15
Dorrin: 10
Brostic: 23
Arryn: 21
Antagonists: 19
Vexras moves into the room to protect Arryn. The ensuing blow from one of the hobgoblins staggers him, however, throwing off his own aim. Violet takes similar action but more direct, charging into the room toward the entangled hobgoblin. Unable to move as easily as she would normally, she can't avoid Violet's blade. She stars for a moment as it pierces her chest, clutching futilely at it as the light goes out of her eyes and she slides off the weapon to the floor.
Dorrin enters the room and shoots the remaining one as Arryn tries to duck away, just barely avoiding a quick kick from the remaining foe. Still, it's enough to throw off his aim, though gives Brostic the chance to move in to heal him -- before realizing he's fine.
A snarl crosses the remaining hobgoblin's face as she closes with Violet, throwing out an open-handed punch and then driving her knee toward the other woman, but not able to land a solid blow.
Red: 16
Vexras throws up his hand, blocking the shot he surely would have suffered otherwise. He then carefully invokes a spell, but his attacks are easily avoided despite his foe’s split attention.
HP: 45/45
AC: 25 (19 T / 16 FF) (includes +1 from haste)
Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +7/+8/+6 (includes +1 from haste)
Arcane Pool used: 2/7
Extend charges used: 1/3
PoP used: 0/2
|Prepared Spells|
Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic
Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [X]
Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [ ]
Lvl 3 (1): haste [X]
Ongoing Effects
mage armor, extended (12 hours): +4 AC
arcane pool: +1 keen (1/10)
piranha strike: -2/+4
spell combat: -2 to hit
Arryn lifts up an ink pot and flings it at the hobgoblin.
Violet notes that the hobgoblin has brought an open hand and a knee to a knifefight.
"I see you brought an open hand and a knee to a knifefight," she quips clumsily, then attempts to silence the hobgoblin before any criticisms of her banter can be uttered.
ETA:
Brostic will spend a charge from his wand to heal Arryn.
As the remaining hobgoblin stops to stare for a second at Violet's awful attempt at a quip, it soon becomes little more than offal as the human woman puts her waveblade through her foe.
A quick search reveals each of the hobgoblins has 2 potions of barkskin, a potion of cure moderate wounds, 2 antitoxins, five daggers, a ring of protection +1, and etched copper-and-iron bracers (worth 125 gp).
The large map on the table clearly marks the locations of the three Ranger forts, along with a few other locations, including the burned area where you encountered the wood giant. Several spots -- including that last one -- are marked with a stylized skull. A number of hobgoblin figurines appear at Fort Ristin and several trolls and hobgoblins occupy Fort Nunder, indicating that the map may not be up to date.
The most unusual figurine on the map represents a stylized dragon in flight. The dragon figurine is positioned near the northern edge of the map, and is holding down a folded piece of paper. This folded page is torn from an atlas, and depicts the entire Fangwood with much less detail. Along the edge of the page are calculations about dragon flying speeds from Fort Trevalay over 12 hours, 24 hours, and 36 hours, with question marks next to each. The central Fangwood region labeled only as “The Blight” is circled, along with the note “Why here?”
The cloth map hanging from the northwest wall is less impressive than the table map, but by far more chilling. It depicts Nirmathas and northern Molthune, with labels tidily written in Goblin. A red “X” marks the town of Phaendar, and thick, red lines branch out from it across the Nesmian Plains and north up the Marideth River. A dotted line encircles the Nesmian Plains down past the dwarven Sky Citadel of Kraggodan, east through Molthune, and into the Fangwood.
The newest annotation leads north along the river to the refining town of Longshadow, one of Nirmathas’s manufacturing strongholds.
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Arryn points to the annotation about Longshadow. "Look, that line looks newest." He touches the ink, then sniffs his finger. "Not wet, but I would say the person who wrote this had recently eaten some sort of mutton, using a quill pen with a slightly bent nib, and working from the light of an almost spent lamp, given the smoky hints the ink absorbed. Hobgoblin's hitting Longshadow would not be a good thing, to put it mildly."
Arryn also looks around this ward room for any blank or mostly blank paper. "Who's the best drawer? I think it would be very worth our time to pause and make copies of these maps. When we eventually do find our way back to civilization and help, any authorities we find will need to see these, and if we have copies, there's less chance of all the maps being destroyed."
Vexras blinks at Violet for a few moments as she catches her breath after the hobgoblin slumps to the ground. He quietly approaches the brawler, places one hand firmly and squarely on her shoulder, then offers softly with an admiring smile, "You, dear Violet, are exceptional, I hope you know. Truly."
Later, as Arryn explains the benefits of the ring he'd found, the charming tiefling waves off the proffered jewelry, "I've a few tricks of my own I can rely on yet, my friend, but thank you for thinking of me." As the rest of the group goes over the map and distributes what they've recovered from the hobgoblins, the unarmored swordsmith takes the opportunity to clap Brostic on the shoulder. "And how are you holding up, my friend?"
Just as he's about to fire, a slight grin forms as he watches Violet annihilate the remaining hobgoblin. Relaxing the top of the crossbow upon his shoulder, "That's me girl. Glad she's on my team," he mumbles under his breath, grinning wryly.
Dorrin then moves up to investigate the map upon the table. After studying it a moment, he draws a hand down his face and takes a deep breath while shaking his head. "Blast we got our work cut out for us. No way we can allow 'em ta hit Longshadow. We have got ta find this dragon and put it down... permanently."
Violet blushes at the compliments, then turns serious as she looks over the maps.
"This is way worse than I thought. We've got to clear this fort out and get the information back to the other survivors."
Violet looks for some paper to sketch copies of the maps. If she finds something, she'll do her best. If not, she'll fold up the maps and hand them to Brostic.
"I think you're the least likely of us to be near the mouth of a fire-breathing dragon," she says, doing her best to appear unconcerned about the possibility.
"Arryn, are you still good to scout ahead? Those weasels really did a number on you."
”I’ll manage,” he says as he slips on the rings and goes invisible.
Arryn slips up the stairs, to the upper reaches of the tower. This level resembles a marshy, mist-shrouded cavern. Water cascades down from a strange rock formation in the ceiling, feeding an enormous, murky pool banked by hefty blocks of stone. Mud and shallow pools -- all thick with swamp grass, cattails, and ferns -- completely conceal the stone floors. A large, ragged hole punches through the southern wall, curtained by a thick tangle of moss and hanging vines. A flooded staircase leads down, while a small niche is tucked against the northeast wall. The unmistakable sparkle of gold and silver twinkles from the fetid pool.
Unfortunately, before Arryn can spend too much time looking around, something else grabs his attention: A long, lean black dragon is, a line of caustic-looking drool dripping from his skewed jaw, and draped in gem-studded necklaces. The dragon immediately lets out a mighty roar and bellows toward the stairway,
The sudden noise seems to provoke three other bright-eyed lizards, each larger than a horse. As they hiss in anger, a brightly colored frill extends around each of their neck. Arrny also spots yet another hobgoblin, her hand resting on a beautiful looking big cat, as the look toward the entrance.
They're giant frilled lizards, which could potentially be deadly on their own, even without the other threats in the room.
Violet whispers to the rest of the group at the bottom of the stairway. "Nothing about that sounds good."
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Figuring that the dragon's bellow has alerted his friends down below, Arryn ducks behind a rock pile, and pitches his voice to fill the room (and trickle down the stairs).
"Naught but a humble admirer, oh great Scar-Maker. Truly, your magnificent scales are an ebonic sight to behold, as are the of your three breath-taking lizard horses. Tell me: is it true what they say--that your majestic wings can carry you a distance of 160 miles in a single day? Truly speedier than the sinuous run of even a . I bow to you, oh mighty Scar-Maker. May I, your humble servant, bow low like these piles of rocks gracing your beautiful marsh cave, and worship your magnificence?"
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"Oh no. I think Arryn's having a stroke!" Violet warns the group.
”A black dragon that has both neck frills and is also in some way part giant cat? Perhaps this is some kind of strange chimera?” Vexras shrugs before recovering some of his spells with one of the pearls he keeps on hand. ”Well, I don’t know that we’ll be baiting anything down here, so I suppose we’d best be ready to dash up there at Arryn’s signal.”
HP: 45/45
AC: 25 (19 T / 16 FF) (includes +1 from haste)
Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +7/+8/+6 (includes +1 from haste)
Arcane Pool used: 2/7
Extend charges used: 1/3
PoP used: 1/2
|Prepared Spells|
Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic
Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [ ]
Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [ ]
Lvl 3 (1): haste [X]
Dorrin raises an eyebrow as he listens to the dragon and then Arryn. Shaking his head with closed eyes, he opens them back up and sighs. "Well, I'll say this, if he's met what we know he's met, he should be thankful for a stroke; because that'll be better than what he's facin' and what we're about to," he states practically, nodding in a matter of fact manner. "And the way I'm figurin' it, Vexras, is that was his signal. There's more than just that blasted dragon up there so be prepared for everything ta come at us."
Dorrin then double checks his crossbow just to make sure it's locked and loaded securely. "Well, lot, today is a fine day ta die. So let's go and see if we can't ruin the day, hm?" he says, giving a wink. The dwarf then makes his way up, remaining as quiet as he can since he has no way to become invisible.
Brostic will cast Ironskin. "Well, if we are facing a mighty dragon, we should be prepared."
Violet downs one of the Barkskin potions from the late hobgoblins. She offers the other potion to the group. "Anyone else?"
Dorrin stops in his tracks and looks around to the others before turning his attention to the brawler and nodding. "I'll take one if ya don't mind, lass. I'm thinkin' I'll be needin' all that I can get." Dorrin will accept the potion if she hands it to him and drink it. Tossing the bottle away.
He also pulls out another vial of his own and drinks it. Tossing that bottle aside as well.
Popping his neck from one side to the other, "Okay, if we're ready, let's move."
Brostic will follow Dorrin up the stairs and once it appears like the group will start the battle he will attempt to get into position to affect as many allies and foes as possible and cast Prayer
The dragon replies to Arryn, "And well you should admire me! For did not I destroy these so-called rangers? Did not my hobgoblins dominate the Southern Fangwood? Have you come to pledge fealty to me? Show yourself that I might accept it!"
You notice the hobgoblin to the south cast a spell.
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”Your hobgoblins?” Arryn asks, feigning surprise. ”Forgive me, most magnificent Scar-Maker, but I had not realized. So many of the hobgoblins we captured and killed in the southern Fangwood told us over and over again how sorry we’d be when their...I shudder to even say the word, oh your greatness...when their ...pet dragon came to serve them. I’m sure they meant no disrespect. Perhaps they’re just confused, like the hobgoblins here. We found maps down below that list your flying speeds and carrying capacity, as if you were some mere beast of burden and not a great and terrifying dragon lord.”
Vexras shakes his head at the potion, ”Thank you, my friend, but save it for another who might be better helped by it. And besides, they taste just awful!” He offers this last with a wink as he waits for a clearer sign from Arryn that he and the others are needed.
Dorrin will move upstairs about halfway, awaiting to see how the conversation plays out.
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She does.
This time.
Violet will follow Dorrin.
Vexras whispers, ”I’ve no magics left that aren’t offensive, I’m afraid. Brostic, if you’ve anything up your sleeve, now would be a golden time, my friend.” The tiefling then quietly pads up the stairs, stopping just in front of Dorrin.
Brostic smiles and says "I do have something ready. I think you will all like it."
"Ha! I don't think so, little rat! Look around. Jang --" and his head swings around for a moment to the hobgoblin "-- created this all for me. She created the fungal concoctions for myself and Naphexi! They do what I tell them. If you were able to kill them, clearly they were of no consequence."
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"I'm sure this den of yours is quite splendid. On the farm, my pa built a really nice little house for our dog, too. And are those the dragon thrall concoctions we found recipes for? I'm sure a dragon as mighty as you has been able to resist such pathetic enchantments. You certainly don't look like a dragon who has been enslaved through mushrooms...at least, I don't think that you do, mighty lord."
Arryn carefully takes out two tanglefoot bags and two flasks of alchemist's fire, and sets them down behind his rock, out of sight, but easily reached for with his mind to fling.
"You know nothing! These are concoctions for Naphexi, and she is even more than your little brain can imagine!"
”Well, please don’t feel this is disrespectful, but I’m not a big fan of her sense of decor. See, this boulder should be over there...”
Arryn floats a boulder over to the top of the stairs to serve as cover for his friends when they move in. If that doesn’t immediately provoke hostilities, he keeps moving more to redistribute the terrain to their advantage.
the dragon roars and sucks in a breath. The sudden shift in behavior surprises Arryn enough that he pauses for a moment, but Dorrin, Vexras and Brostic hear it and react quickly!
Vexras bounds up to the top of the stairs and regards the roaring dragon and the room. ”You know, I find I am very much inclined to agree with you. You and your lackeys have soiled this tower quite long enough. Enough, indeed.” A pair of fiery beams punctuate his statement and lance toward the nearest of the frilled lizards.
HP: 45/45
AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF)
Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +7/+7/+6
Arcane Pool used: 2/7
Extend charges used: 1/3
PoP used: 0/2
|Prepared Spells|
Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic
Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [ ]
Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [X]
Lvl 3 (1): haste [X]
Ongoing Effects
mage armor, extended (12 hours): +4 AC
arcane pool: +1 keen (1/10)
piranha strike: -2/+4