[PFS 4-01] Rise of the Goblin Guild (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

"Tie it up! It would be my pleasure madam!" says Rogar taking a long coil of rope out of his backpack...

"We'll need someone who undestands its language though... no one here seems to be able to understand its infernal babbling..." he adds before Sheila departs.

tie the goblin up and bring it along

"I think it's great. Ahhh, my friend" - he's talking to Senketsu - "you have such a big heart! You're so noble!"

It is seen that gnome really touched. He grabs two daggers, makes them in the hands dance moves and stands still next to the Goblin.

"I declare myself the defender of this Goblin! Binkilink - Champion Of The Goblins!! No tortures - otherwise you'll have to deal with the most formidable and mysterious gnome of Gollarion!"

He proudly raised his chin and glittering eyes at the companions.

Senketsu blinks oddly at the atrange Gnome as their allegience swiftly changes from torturer to guardian and the Wayang shakes their head in disbelief. Watching Rogar intently to make sure no undue harm comes to the Goblin, Senketsu takes the pack left behind and carries it for their inherited charge.

"This one guard Goblin things, will one use wand please?"

"Unfortunately, this is an art I haven't mastered as the language of the goblins. Although I could. But there wasn't time." - he leans over and confidentially whispers - "Very young I realized that THEY were watching us and want to control our every step. And since then I began to fight THEM. So I'm very busy, Yes. For many, many years."

He winks at Alex as if he understood what it was about and they now have a secret - and then move a little bit forward, showing that is enough for today to share secrets.

Rogar neatly ties the goblins legs and arms up with rope while Senketsu collects its pack and asks the others to continue healing the goblin.

You arrive back at the main room of the manor, where Sheila Heidmarch is waiting. The party huddles around the goblin to begin the interrogation.

Noting the goblin's reactions while she mentioned tying it up, Sheila makes a suggestion. "Pay attention to its reactions. How could it have known what I meant when I said to tie it up?" She looks at it inquisitively.

The goblin looks shifty-eyed and avoids all eye contact.

I'll take a Sense Motive check or two

Luthor stands dumbfounded as the encounter continues and the gnome's actions get stranger and stranger.

"The goblin was caught trespassing and we attacked it like it was a murderer!" Luthor is quite shocked by what happened, but it's clear his reasons are more personal than just this encounter.

There was a time when I may have done the same. If I had not found Sarenrae's guiding light...

"I will cast a spell that will let me understand it's words, but it will not let me speak whatever language it is speaking.

Luthor casts Comprehend Languages and will translate whatever the goblin says in it's own tongue.

"I will gladly use the wand on this little goblin Senketsu." he takes the wand from the Wayang and approaches the goblin with his hands held up and trying to be as non-threatening as he can.

"I wish to heal your wounds. Please let me help you."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 If the goblin lets him Luthor will heal it.

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The goblin looks very pleased with Luthor.

As she says this, she points to her pack that Senketsu is carrying.

Erevan doesn't understand the gibberish coming out of the goblin's mouth.

Even so, he is a fairly effective judge or actions, and studies the goblin intently.

sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Senketsu gives Luthor a beaming smile and takes the wand back gratefully before cocking their head for a moment as if listening to a voice only they can hear. Senketsu nods to themselves and shows the pack to the goblin.

"Creature wants this?"

sense motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

"Yes, nice yellow-eyed man who help heal me, will you give Plarg back to Ekkie? And please, please, untie me! Ekkie not hurt anyone....." She stops suddenly, as she realizes she has accidentally spoken in common.

He winks at Alex ...

At Senketsu of cause. Wrote on the run, did mistake. And don't ask, how can it be so wrong ))

"Plarg? Who or What is 'Plarg'?" - Binkilink closely stares at the Goblin. He doesn't hope that the Goblin will understand the question, but wants to recognize what reactions will be to this word - fear, joy, greed, etc.

SM: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Mac Beth gently takes the goblin's pack from Senketsu, "If you don't mind, I'd rather take a look in its bag before we go handing it back to the yellow-eyed vermin. Who knows what it might muster out of here and use as a weapon."

Mac Beth searches the goblin's pack.

"Seems wise..." says Rogar in agreement with Mac Beth.

Sense Motive check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Then he turns his undivided attention to the prisoner...

Ekkie gives Binkilink an angry look, remembering when he grappled her, and answers again in common, "Plarg is Ekkie's cage-brother.. we grow up together. Plarg only one that is nice to me. He's in pack!"

Mac Beth takes the pack from Senketsu and looks inside. He sees:
necklace of fireballs, potion of blur, potion of cure moderate wounds, +1 studded leather, masterwork dogslicers (2), cloak of resistance +1, wayfinder, masterwork thieves’ tools, a polished goblin skull, and what looks like horsemeat rations wrapped in cloth

Ekkie looks alarmed at Mac Beth rifling through her bag, and struggles in her ropes. "Bad angry looking longshank, you cut Ekkie badly, now you search through Ekkie's things?! Please untie me!! And give me back Plarg!" She whines and begs uncontrollably.

SM passed, she will speak in common from now on

Senketsu is alarmed as the ruffian snatches the bag from their hands and takes it back from them with another annoyed tut. The Wayang returns the pack to the goblin struggling in the room with a slight shrug.

"This one is ashamed of pathfinders, Pathfinders should not be murderers or thieves as first instinct, gives Pathfinders bad name, we like Aspis? Just because creature is Goblin not mean that creature needs to be killed, or humans at war with all 'strange ones'?"

The tone starts at the admonishing of a school teacher but ends with a hint of malice as if reminding them who they stand beside.

"Venture Captain allow such savagery in own home? We ask 'Ekkie' nice and Ekkie tell us things yes?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Sheila nods. "While I do not encourage violence, we need to find out why this creature was here and who it works for."

Ekkie grows wide-eyed as the Wayang gives her back her pack. "Ekkie like shadow man, you very nice to me. Plarg is inside pack and Ekkie still tied up. You let me out of ropes and maybe I help you!" The bluish-grey goblin gazes sadly towards the floor and pleads with Senketsu as she continues to struggle in her ropes.

This was the first time Luthor had encountered a Wayang, but he was starting to like this little creature.

"I'm with Senketsu on this. Although Ekkie was caught trespassing there is no proof they have done anything that deserves this kind of treatment. he says to his fellow Pathfinders.

He then turns to address Ekkie.

"Ekkie could you please everyone that you mean them no harm so we can untie you and talk nicely? I've never seen a large group so concerned with a single goblin before." he says with a slight chuckle.

Ekkie pouts, then smiles, remembering Luthor had healed her. "You also nice longshank. Don't worry, Ekkie not cause any trouble for anyone. Other goblins always cause trouble for me, but Ekkie, I never hurt goblins or longshanks! I will tell you everything." She scowls at Mac Beth. "But not to crazy looking longshank who cut me!"

Erevan looks confused.

"We seem to have conflicting sides here, but listen to reason. First, perhaps almost killing this goblin was harsh. But at the same time, this burglar's bag should certainly be searched. She should not be entitled to the bag, or its contents, which may have been stolen from our host. This is a lot of fine gear for a goblin. Perhaps she has stolen it."

Turning to Ekkie, he says "We will try to be fair with you. But you need to say why you were here, and what you were looking for. And are you talking to the skull in your bag?" the half-elf asks.

"Yesyesyes, skull is Plarg!" She perks up immediately when Erevan mentions the skull. "Give Ekkie Plarg, untie Ekkie, and I tell you all!"

Mac Beth looks at the party in disgust. "What a bunch of mewing children. We caught this goblin stealing. I'm reclaiming these goods."

Turning to Shelia, Mac Beth hands the goblin's bag to her. "Are any of these items your possessions? I know this goblin did not just happen to have a fine necklace of fire like this one, nor a wayfinder!"

Mac Beth gets close to the goblin's face. "You will tell us why you were upstairs, what you were looking for, and who you work for. My new ... friends ... will only be able to save you for so long til my blade begins thirsting for more of your putrid blood."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Sheila takes the goblin's bag from Mac Beth and looks through it. She quickly notices the wayfinder and examines it. "This wayfinder is engraved with the name Joadric Heimurl." She immediately recognizes the name and looks stunned. "Why, I believe Joadric just arrived at the Shalast House just yesterday! Guard!" She opens the manor doors and calls for her guard to bring Joadric in.

Moments later, a loud, brash Kellid man enters with Sheila's guardsman. After filling him in on what has happened so far, he takes the items and responds. "Thank you, Pathfinders, for finding my wayfinder, and apprehending this bandit." He glares at Ekkie. Ekkie shuts her eyes and pouts.

"That wayfinder is indeed mine, and so is that necklace. However, I cannot understate how important this wayfinder is to me. I had spent the past few hours turning the Shalast House upside down looking for it! Because you have returned it, I will loan you this necklace. All I ask is that you do as the Venture Captain says and track down this sneaky goblin's lair, and her boss. Thank you again, and I wish you luck."

He holds out the necklace of fireballs for someone to take.

--

In the meantime, Ekkie responds to Mac Beth's threats. "Leave Ekkie alone! I not hurt anyone!!...Not sure why crazy man still threatening me. He cut me, Ekkie did not cut him. I just want to talk to Plarg! And these ropes are hurting me!"

Binkilink quietly mutters to himself: "I sometimes regret that the Society is forbidden to kill its members. I think I know a guy who I want add one very sharp object between his shoulder blades..." He starts whistling a tune, when Mac Beth gives him a look, and then grins broadly - "how are you feeling, big guy?".

Absolutely not interested in the answer (if it even will be), gnome first in two quick strokes of the dagger cuts the shackles, and after speaks to Ekkie (which can now shake off the ropes, but not instantly).

"We won't let them hurt you, and I won't shake you anymore. Just explain to us how come you have these things, and that skull... I mean Plarg... Why do you need it?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Senketsu glares at Mac Beth before shaking their head and returning attention to the struggling goblin. Taking the skull from Ekki's bag and passing it over reverently to her. The Wayang gives the poor goblin a smile and asks politely.

"Ekkie, what business you have here? Why steal from Pathfinders?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Ekkie smiles, relieved of her ropes and reunited with the goblin skull. "See? Ekkie not running anywhere. Ekkie need Plarg because he is Ekkie's cage-brother! Right, Plarg?" She says to the skull. It doesn't answer back.

She turns to Senketsu and begins her story. "Thank you shadow man, you Ekkie's friend! Now I tell you everything. Even out in swamp, we heard stories about the Nightsoil Marauders - a gang of goblins in the longshanks city. When Murg tried to bite off Ekkie's ear - again! - I left the swamp and came to the city to join up. I met some other goblins outside the city and they sneaked me inside. They took me through the smelly tunnels and made me wait outside their lair. An important-looking goblin with a big, dangly hat came out and stared at me. He said his name was Versevosh. I thought he was boss, but he said that big boss is much scarier than him! Versevosh said rude things about me and my tribe and said Ekkie have to prove herself if she wanted to join the gang. He said I'd have to steal shiny things from a tribe of longshanks in the city... He showed me drawings of what to look for." She sits on her rump and continues talking nonsense with the goblin skull.

Rogar looks at the goblin then at his companions, nonplussed:"Well. Then we'll have to pay this "big boss" of yours a visit. If he wants shinies we should oblige him... don't you think?" finishes the taldan taking his sword out of the scabbard and making sure everyone else notices how it's actually really shiny...

Then he turns towards Binkilink:"And for the record, you owe me a new coil of rope my stabby friend!"

Gnome smiles widely and rapaciously - "Agree. I will take away it from those goblins and give it to you, my lanky friend!"

"Ekkie, would you lead us to the local goblins?"

Mac Beth graciously takes the necklace, "I thank you. This could prove to be quite useful if we are delving into sewers after some goblin gang.". He bows slightly to Joadric.

Donning the necklace, Mac Beth brings his attention to the goblin. "I knew it would talk. They always talk. Some just need more pursuasion than others.

"And to the rest of ya'... My tactics may not be as couth as yours, but there may soon come a time that you need my blade. I am but mad north northwest; when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a hand saw.”

@Mac Beth: It's a type 1 necklace of fireballs, so one 5d6 sphere and two 3d6 spheres.

Ekkie nods at Binkilink's question, although she is still focused on the goblin skull. She continues,
"The other goblins showed Ekkie the way through the smelly tunnels to the horse-killing place. I like that place, 'cause they cut up horses there and you can see their insides and I got lots of dead horse to eat!" She licks her lips. "The goblins said steal from big house then go back to the horse-killing place, then ran off. It was almost sunrise and I could hear longshanks so Ekkie hid. Later I sneaked up to the big house and took some shiny things from the small houses, but then you caught me..."

She stands up, still holding Plarg's skull. "Ekkie lead you to horse-killing place and then to Marauder's lair, but only if you let me go outside of city after I show you. Ekkie promise never to steal from longshanks again!" She opens her bright red eyes widely and gives the party a smile.

Mac Beth mean mugs the goblin.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

She's being sincere within reason. She may steal again, but not from you. Ekkie isn't as cruel or manipulative as other goblins, mostly because she was almost always on the receiving end of her tribe mates' malicious games.

Rogar smiles at Ekkie:"Deal! Lead the way then!" he says preparing to follow the gobin.

"I imagine this will lead us to some sort of slaughterhouse... Well, bloodstains won't be much of a problem this time I guess!" he jokes lightly as the group moves after the little creature

"If this goblin leader is as bad as he sounds then we need help finding and stopping him before he plans something worse then stealing some items from a Pathfinder."

He looks over toward Ekkie as shes surrounded by his armed allies.

"I think everyone deserves a second chance. If you're willing to help us that would go a long way to make up for stealing from us Ekkie."

Senketsu nods their head enthusiastically at the offers of aid to the abused creature. Giving the goblin a smile the Wayang's face turns suddenly serious.

"This one will help Ekkie and defeat goblins, but Ekkie must give back what stolen from 'longshanks' first, then you show us base and go to outside?"

Giving a sharp whistle, Senketsu summons Yurei to their side, the albino wolf moving silently to the Wayang's side. Mounting the wolf in one quick maneuver they nod.

"Let us go yes?"

Sheila nods. "I grow worried that these goblins may threaten our city. Please make haste in locating their lair." She paces the room once and adds, "Carrying a goblin through Magnimar is sure to attract the wrong kind of attention." Sheila says, looking over at the goblin. "Perhaps there is some way to conceal her as she guides you there?"

Hearing this, Ekkie runs over to Senketsu and jumps into its backpack while giggling like a small child. "Ekkie hide in here and go with nice shadow longshank!"

--

You depart the manor and head across town, towards Magnimar's Lowcleft District. As your new personal guide, Ekkie whispers directions to Senketsu and Senketsu leads the way on its wolf. Before long, the party arrives at Mariska Knackery, a knackery two blocks west of the Matador's Lodge. Lame or old horses, as well as animals and beasts maimed or used up in events at the Serpent's Run arena or the Matador's Lodge, are brought to the knackery to be slaughtered and dismembered, and their meat and other remains are sold off.

At the sight (and smell) of the knackery, Ekkie perks up and sticks her head out of the backpack. "This is yummy horse-killing place! Ekkie came from smelly tunnel here!" She promptly ducks back into the pack.

At the entrance to the knackery, you see a middle-aged man standing just over 5.5 feet tall. He sports a graying walrus-like mustache and speaks with a thick Varisian accent. He turns to you with a scowl, "What do you want?!"

Erevan sizes up the rude man in front of them.

"I want to know if you are always so rude. I also want to know how much you value your job. Now help us out, or stand aside," the half-elf swordsman says with some grit in his voice.

intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

The man's demeanor immediately changes, a nervous half-smile now across his face. "Why y-yes, sir." The sight of Erevan's dueling sword sends a chill up his spine. "What is it you wish to know?"

Meanwhile, Ekkie peeks her up out of Senketsu's bag and says quietly, "This longshanks is horse-killer! Ekkie see him earlier."

To the man, "Have you seen anything strange around here lately? Trouble? Thefts? Goblins, maybe?"

Senketsu turns their head slightly and affixes the man with a grin, playing 'good' watchman to Erevan's 'bad watchman'. The Wayang urges Yurei forwards and speaks in a light tone to the poor set upon slaughterer.

"We go in please yes? Need to examine for Goblins yes? You no goblin helper no?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Nice rolling. You guys made this easy.

The man's expression changes after hearing Senketsu's welcoming voice, and he turns to the group with a warm smile. "Well, alright, I guess I could let you in." He begins to lead you through the knackery, answering Mac Beth's questions. "As for the thefts... Don't get me started. Those little vermin have got me right where they want me! At first, I tried locks and bars to stop them, but the thefts got worse. If there's any way in, they'll find it!" He stops walking for a moment. "Then the big, creepy one, at least a foot taller than me, came one night. It put the fear right into me, I'll tell you, lurking there in the shadows with its snuffling breath and twitching ears. It said it knew exactly where my family lives and said it'd know if I tried to go to the watch. Then they burned down my shed outside to make their point. So I've had to go along with them, leaving the best slabs of meat for them and ignoring the scurrying I hear down in the cellars at night. If I don't, they’ll burn down my home and murder my family!" He looks terrified of what he's seen, and even moreso afraid of reprisal from the goblins should he offer too much help.

Meanwhile, Ekkie begins drooling from the sight of all the horse meat nearby.

Meanwhile, Binkilink decided to sneak into the knacker's yard and study what's inside, without waiting for the results of the dialogue.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

You don't notice anything in particular. DC15 would have worked but the result isn't all that helpful.

"We cannot allow threats like that to continue. Do not worry, we will remove these goblins and deal with their large leader... whatever he may be. he tries to think what this creature could be.

knowledge local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Based on the brief description i'm assuming a humanoid, though i can't imagine it would be easy to work out just from those few words

Once the group are out or earshot of the Varisian he turns to the group.

"Does anyone know what the goblins leader could be? I don't think I've encountered it's like before."

"Well friend... you are in luck! What you have here, in front of you, is the very best goblin extermination squad Magnimar ever saw... Or any other city for that matter!" proclaims Rogar sheating his sword and entering the building...

The man nods enthusiastically at Luthor and at Rogar. "Please! If you could eliminate these treacherous creatures, you would be saving my family's life. Now..." He guides the party past a burnt shed - a lesson from the Nightsoil Marauders - and to a sewer drain.

"This is where they came from." He points into the hole.

You stand at the sewer drain. Light shines onto a metal ladder extending to the bottom of the sewer, or so you assume, as it is in complete darkness past a certain point.

Ekkie pokes her bluish-grey head up out of the backpack. "Yes, here is smelly tunnels! See, I showed you the way to them! Now you let Ekkie go here as you say, yes?"

Leave Ekkie or take her along?

"Mmmm... While I believe having less goblins around is usually a good thing, this runt may prove to be more useful still. I say we keep her around a bit longer as a ... guide. There might be traps waiting for us in that sewer, and I'm sure she'd be more than willing to highlight where they are if she's with us."

Senketsu looks the goblin in their pack with a thoughtful expression, unsure what is best to suggest. Mac seemed to have made a sensible suggestion and so Senketsu asks Ekkie a question.

"Ekkie know of traps yes? Ekkie know leader? Where find them in sewer tunnels? We not know the way, may need Ekkie as guide."

"No, no Ekkie... The deal was you would bring us to the leader. Then we kill leader for Ekkie and Ekkie becomes new chief... but only if Ekkie helps, of course" mentions Rogar grinning from hear to hear.

"Your help would be another step on the road to making amends for stealing from the Pathfinders. I'm sure your knowledge of this place will be invaluable Ekkie! says Luthor with a smile.

"Well you get our point, right? As we, gnomes, use to say: 'to jump off topic so quickly will not work'. So go ahead, lead us."