[PSF] GM Blake's Gallows of Madness Part 2 (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

I now see that Takumi did have line of sight to the goblin once it revealed itself, so, yes, the magic missile struck.

Before the goblin can make it's next move, it is pegged by two missiles of arcane force and bitten by a furious eagle. She wobbles a bit, trying to find a spot to slip her dagger through Faust's armor...

...then he beheads her.

Out of Combat

Those listening at the buildings hear nothing from within. However, as the scarred goblin's head bounces and rolls away, you all hear deranged screaming from inside the fenced area to the north.

"You will not stop my conquest of Isger!" a deep, rough voice shouts. "I will slaughter all of your kind!"

Shalendra looks around at the dwarf, the dhampir, the elf, and the tiefling. "We're not all of one kind. Could he possibly be talking to us?" She moves toward the north, and tries to peek through the fence.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

With all noticeable threats on his life in pieces, Faust shakes his head briefly and cleans his blade. His body calms significantly, as if the tension poured right out of him. "I hope not, getting the jump on whatever that was sounds like a better way to start a fight," he comments as he walks up to Shalendra, blade in hand. "Shall we?"
________
Do we have any sense of how far the voice was? Wondering for buffs.

Despite the goblin being taken down, Takumi still looks worryingly at the seen. "Um, apologies Master Faust. I must indeed be mistaken. There is still much I know not of my craft, and I appreciate your enlightenment" Takumi surreptitiously sidles his way to the back of the party.

On the other side of the fence, so not too far.

The sound of metal being twisted and torn, followed by a loud clang and thud sounds from the other side of the fence.

"You die, spy!" shouts the gruff voice. Someone chokes and gurgles on the other side of the fence.

Shalendra can see a large figure--likely goblinoid of some kind--struggling with a smaller figure, but it is difficult to make out entirely.

Apologies. I mistook where Otto was standing.

Otto hears something with four legs pacing around the other side of the fence where he stands.

Shalendra begins to cast sleep. "He's on the other side of this wall. He doesn't look nice."

Otto decides to leave it for now and heads forward as fast as he can, giving himself a guidance as he goes.

Ready for another engagement, Faust summons his familiar circle of darkness to protect him. "And so the wheel begins to turn again..."
________
Shield if possible.

There is a gasp and a gruff grunt of pain from the other side of the fence. You hear a third voice speak in goblin.

The adventurers prepare to do battle.

Combat! Round 1. Surprise round (1 action).
Ekanta
Takumi & Eagle
Shalendra (begins to cast sleep)
Otto (moved)
Faust (cast shield)

Ekanta advances.

The eagle flies over the fence, keeping high up in the air first to scope ahead.

Summoned Eagle: AC:14 T:13 FF:12 | HP: 7/7 | Resist Acid, Cold, and Electricity 5

---

Takumi, finding himself way at the back, simply advances so that he can see what is happening.

The eagle sees what is on the other side of the fence: a purple-ooze stained bugbear strangling a human woman and three goblin guards. The woman kicks the bugbear again, this time hard enough to break free.

There is a deep roar of frustration from the other side of the fence.

Combat! Round 2.

Party is Up!

Shalendra can ready to release her spell when the door opens and still have 1 action remaining. Bit of a weird situation with a 1 round casting time started in a surprise round.

Otto waits for Shalendra to finish her spell before charging on.

going to attack the bugbear if he's still standing, otherwise the red goblin.

charge!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

confirm?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
extr acrit damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

AC 20 due to charge

The eagle dives down and tears into the nearest goblin.
bite vs yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
+1 to damage if goblin is evil.

Summoned Eagle: AC:14 T:13 FF:12 | HP: 7/7 | Resist Acid, Cold, and Electricity 5

---

After Shalendra's spell go off, Takumi continues to move closer to the battle. Not finding a good spot to lay his spells, he elects to simply activate his wand of magic missiles at the nearest goblin.

wand of MM vs yellow goblin: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Someone needs to open the door. We'll say Takumi, nullifying his wand usage.

The celestial eagle swoops over the fence and tears out one of the goblin's eyeballs. It collapses in pain.

Takumi opens the gate, allowing Shalendra full view of the enemies inside, and Otto charges through, chopping deeply into the crooked bugbear.

"Ah! I knew you had allies!" the bugbear yells at the woman, accusingly.

Ekanta comes in and attempts to finish what Otto started.

Someone please move me. Get me a flank if possible.

masterwork quarterstaff vs big bad bugbear: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 +2 if I can get a flank
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Once Shalendra casts her spell, Faust strikes his blade against his boots and in a blur of movement weaves around the goblins, ending up behind the bugbear. "GLORIOUS my avian friend, join me against this beast!" he cheers, inviting his favorite flanker to join the fray yet again.

His prey surrounded, Faust wildly swings at the bugbear, but merely succeeds in almost hitting the woman he has been tormenting.
________

opps, my apologies regarding the door.

Sorry guys I've been sick with con crud for the last two days. I would have opened the door, and finished the spell dropping it on all of the possible enemies. In case I forgot sleep is a DC15 will save.

Shalendra opens the gate and then her spell goes off.

or
Shalendra moves into the open gate and the spell completes, and gives her Evil Eye at the bugbear.

-2 to Attack Rolls for 7 rounds DC 15 Will save. Otherwise its 1 round

Fortunately for Faust, the goblins are flat-footed and do not have Combat Reflexes.

The (blue) goblin slumps to the ground once Shalendra finishes her spell. The bugbear feels the hairs on the back of his neck stand up; however, he has bigger problems to deal with.

"You won't stop my conquest! Lamashtu has declared my victory over the humans," he shouts as he draws and swings a massive curved blade at the dhampir. Something hinders his swing and the blow just glances off of Faust's eldritch shield. The (red) goblin behind him gets in a lucky shot, though he likely fails to notice the paper cut to his calf.

Combat! Round 3.

Party is Up

Faust (-1 hp)

Blue Goblin (asleep)
Bugbear (-2 to Hit, 6 rounds)

Shalendra gives the Evil Eye again at the Bug Bear, and then she cackles to extend her hexes.

-2 to AC for 7 rounds, unless a DC 15 Will Save.

Otto takes a moment to step aside and finish off the sleeping goblin before any sort of shenanigans wake it up.

coup de grace: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 6) + 8 = 16
Fort dc 26 or die for blue goblin, on the off chance he survived the 16

Ekanta administers the bugbear braggart a quiet lesson in the meaning of suffering.

masterwork quarterstaff, flank vs big bad bugbear: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Critical threat!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Critical damage?: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 + 6 = 13

masterwork quarterstaff, flank vs big bad bugbear: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

How does he look once I'm through with him, deathwatch-wise?

After taking out one goblin, the eagle flies towards the next nearest foe, and attempts to rend its flesh with its mighty beak.
fly, less < 1/2 speed; DC10: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
bite vs bugbear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Summoned Eagle: AC:14 T:13 FF:12 | HP: 7/7 | Resist Acid, Cold, and Electricity 5

---

Not finding a good location to launch his spells without possibly affecting his allies, Takumi move somewhat closer and fires a bolt of arcane energy at the bugbear.

wand of MM vs bugbear: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Singularly focused on extracting the blood from the bugbear, the goblin's slash barely registers. "Lamashtu? What a fun little deity, I hear she enjoys the blood of her worshippers just as much as any other! Die for her, DIE!"
________

@ Ekanta: After your savage beating, he was fighting off death.

Otto puts an end to the sleeping goblin.

"I am the herald of a new age of goblin greatness! I cannot be defeated!" shouts the bugbear, spitting as he screams.

Ekanta clobbers him within an inch of his life. The eagle fails to penetrate his armor, but his master sends a bolt of force that strikes his chest hard, staggering him.

Faust, thanks to the curse placed on the bugbear by Shalendra, manages to cut past the goblinoid's defenses and tears open his rib cage.

The remaining goblin whacks Faust's greaves ineffectually with his dogslicer.

The woman prisoner sighs in relief as the bugbear goes down.

Combat! Round 4.

Party is Up
Goblin

Faust (-1 hp)
Red Goblin (too stupid to quit)
Blue Goblin (decapitated)
Bugbear (bleeding at -11)

The eagle dives towards the last remaining foe, aiming its beak directly at its head.
fly, less < 1/2 speed; DC10: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
bite vs bugbear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Summoned Eagle: AC:14 T:13 FF:12 | HP: 7/7 | Resist Acid, Cold, and Electricity 5

Note that the eagle is flying overhead, so anyone can still occupy the square below it.

---

Relaxing somewhat that the tide of the battle has turned, Takumi launches yet another bolt of arcane energy at the remaining goblin.
wand of MM vs bugbear: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Ekanta moves on to the annoyance in the corner....

masterwork quarterstaff vs red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"HAHA! Greet the Mother of Monsters for me!" he taunts through a savage grin. Whirling around, he steps to the side and tries to strike down the final goblin.
________

Otto circles around the eagle and makes a final strike at the red goblin.

cutlass: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Shalendra stands back giving the woman a hard stare. "And who are you?"

Faust decapitates the last goblin before Otto can even take a step.

Combat Over

"Thank you! Thank you for saving my life!" the human woman enthuses. "I was only able to break free because of your distraction at the gate."

She takes a long shuddering breath and continues, "My name is Nixa, Nixa Volsetti. My cousin from Saringallow and I were abducted. They took us to someplace, but kept our heads covered. Then they kept my cousin but gave me over to the goblins. That horrible bugbear kept trying to get me to tell her about the defenses of Saringallow."

"Please, you can calm down now, my lady. You are safe with us." Takumi resists turning to glance at Faust and continues. "Who is this 'they' you are referring to?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

He then turning to the rest of his companions, looking worried. "That they are asking about its defences does not bode well."

Faust takes a moment to seat himself on the bugbear's corpse while his head clears. "Indeed Takumi, the Mayor will be elated to know such a thing in advance so she can prepare. I doubt these were the last of them. A leader perhaps, but this was no invasion force. Sounds like we earned our pay," he notes, trying to wipe away as much blood and gore from himself as he can.

Finally looking at the woman with clear eyes, he speaks to her. "I suppose you will want an escort home too?"

"Oh, no," Nixa says. "I appreciate the rescue, but I am an accomplished woodsman. If you need to continue your mission, I am more than capable of making my own way home. I can even pass along the warning to the mayor, if you like."

Ekanta sets to work exploring the rest of the complex.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Ekanta searches through a number of old buildings that have been converted into stinky, soiled goblin dormitories. He looks through a storage room full of generally useless supplies, though he does catch the glint of precious metal as he turns to leave. There he finds a single silver and pearl earring on the floor.

The floor of this small building is recessed into the ground about a foot and filled with viscous purplish ooze. A crudely carved image of a three-eyed face decorates the far wall. Each of the statue's eyes is made of a faceted peridot.

The dog in the kennel continues to pace, but remains safely confined.

"Can you help us at all with where to find your friend? We'd like to help her as well."

Ekanta breaks out a saw, hammer, and iron spike with which to cut or pry out the peridots.

Takumi feels somewhat easily at Ekanta goes to the work on the face carving, and stands some distance away, studying it to see if he recognises it.

knowledge(arcana, planes or religion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

"Do so," Faust says as he leaves her to help search the place with his comrades. He stands next to Takumi, "Never defaced a random statue before? What's the worst that could happen?" he asks, with a pained look on his face. It takes a moment, but you quickly realize that he is trying to smile.
________

Takumi gives back as warm a smile as he can muster. Although formal, it appears genuine.
bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Lol!

"I humbly regret that I have not had that experience, Master Faust. And for good reasons."

Otto grumbles as he wanders about making sure the goblins are all thoroughly dead.

The goblins are thoroughly dead.

Ekanta skirts the demon bile to reach the statue and can remove the gemstones.

OK. Work ran long, so I didn't get to finish your Chronicles. The game is reported though. We'll plan for another break for level ups as I prep the third and final chapter.

How are the Chronicles coming?