"Good sirs, I would request that you remand... Er, leave this goblin with us. It appears that he is under an enchantment, which my companions and I may be able to clear away. If you will permit this, we promise to hand him over to you once he has recovered his senses."
"You want him? You got him. Have a nice night."
"We could break his mind open and see what's inside, or we could let him go and see where he goes. Why not just ask him to prove the might of this leader by leading us to him?"
"You want him? You got him. Have a nice night."
"Good sirs, I would request that you remand... Er, leave this goblin with us. It appears that he is under an enchantment, which my companions and I may be able to clear away. If you will permit this, we promise to hand him over to you once he has recovered his senses."
This can't be helping our group reputation. People will think we are soft on goblin crime.
Dr. Toffitt thanks the guards, asking them for the name of their commander. "I wish to provide my personal commendation for your fine service. We shall deliver the goblin to the gaols forthwith."
He turns to his five companions. "Now, before you once again accuse me of consorting with our foes... He appeared to be under some sort of enchantment, according to Dryant. He is perhaps incapable of sharing everything he knows. I feared that whatever dread force possessed him might also cause him to harm himself, before we found a way to relieve him of any secrets he possesses."
"I assure you, I shall personally deliver him unto the guard once we are finished. For now, have any of you means to suppress whatever hold this Drakthar has on him?"
"Have you asked it the following question: take us to your leader?"
Yes, Silfr, let's go running into the lair of a leader who dominates his henchmen. Sigh...
"I would suggest that getting more information about this Drakthar might help us better prepare ourselves. It seems as though he has impressive power at his disposal."
"For now, have any of you means to suppress whatever hold this Drakthar has on him?"
We should make him listen to the Old Man, Silfr, speak. His droning voice and vocabulary seems to deaden any intelligent thought.
Dyrant walks on in silence...not sure if anything good will come of this.
Perhaps if we bunk him near Atol, the Friar will eat him by morning.
Dyrant ponders further, as he enjoys a good mental problem to solve.
"Doctor, it occurs to me that this might happen again and I am slowly coming around to the long term wisdom of your plan. It's not that this goblin is important, but that we find a good process to practice now so that next time this happens, we know what to do. Because of this, I will aid your endeavor."
Dyrant announces his plan.
"Firstly, you must convince Atol to ask St. Cuthbert for 2 spells: Guidance and Protection from Evil. I suggest using a pastry of some sort, backed up with a large sammich after the spells are cast. We may have to try a few days in a row for I do not think the goblins mind is that adept at throwing off the enchantment on his own."
Dyrant walks more and ponders more. He stops and begins to orate again.
"Failing that, good Doctor, time might be the key. After two or so weeks, the spell itself will just end and we might have more answers then."
"Dyrant, that sounds like an excellent plan. Though I do believe that Atol will be quite willing to help. Life's difficulties have not soured him to the prospect of helping others."
"Firstly, you must convince Atol to ask St. Cuthbert for 2 spells: Guidance and Protection from Evil. I suggest using a pastry of some sort, backed up with a large sammich after the spells are cast. We may have to try a few days in a row for I do not think the goblins mind is that adept at throwing off the enchantment on his own."
"That sounds like a most excellent plan. I'll prepare the spells in the morning for the purpose. For now though we'll have to keep watch over the Goblin most carefully. It wouldn't do for the creature to get away while under our care!"
Atol savors the idea of pastries for breakfast.
Atol thinks for a moment, then chuckles to himself.
"Hey guys? I have Protection from Evil and Guidance prepared now you know. Should we still wait until tomorrow?"
Glimmil taps his foot while he waits for Toffitt, Silfr and Dyrant to talk.
When they talk about breaking something open, Glimmil starts to crave pistachios.
He then looks at Atol with pleading eyes and whispers to the cleric, "If we're not getting coffee and scones tonight, can we get them tomorrow morning? They sounded so good!"
Glimmil crouches next to Cog and begins describing various kinds of scones to the canine in a low whisper.
He finally rises and interrupts the others, echoing Finneas' sentiments.
"So, then, are we defeating this evil Drakthar tomorrow morning?"
Dyrant smiles and hopes Atol will share the free pastries Dyrant has secured for him.
I could use a scone right now.
Dr. Toffitt frowns once the party determines that the adjuration failed.
"Well, perhaps we could devote tomorrow to making additional effort, and otherwise researching our new foes. If our efforts tomorrow do not succeed, let us hand over the goblin to the guard."
"Glimmil, given that Drakthar or his allies are able to possess the bodies of his servants, I agree with Dyrant. We should proceed with care."
"Where are we going to hold the Goblin tonight? I do not think it's right to take him to Ghelves."
Where am I going to get scones for 6? Maybe there's a baker in town.
"Dyrant, do you know of any bakers? I don't know where to get pastries."
"The only scones I know are from Tygot's, but I doubt he is open now. Sadly, I do not know more. I've only been in town a week or so."
Yep. The longest week of my life.
"I don't suppose the Church of Cuthbert has cells for possessed souls...? In any case, we should not rush off into trouble. Atol is still recuperating, and there is much we can do to prepare, if we can glean more information."
"Doctir, you face the commonplace problem aquired by those who rush to adopt pets, familiars, or captive goblins, specifically where shall they be housed and fed. Since you claimed the creature from the city guards and have already refered to him as friend, now you must take responsibility and not try and house it at Ghelves or drop it off at the orphanage."
Silfr considers the talk of magical enscrollment. Using his knowledge of the arcane and augmented by the simple act of casting detect magic while concentrating on the goblin, he wonders if there is anything to these claims of powerful domination magics that Toffit and Dryant believe are present..
Spell craft +6
"If you do not wish to seek their master tonight then shall we consider this golbin walk concluded? My friend Doctor Toffit, your boldness in the face of danger certainly waxes and wanes, though of course I cannot fault your wisdom in desiring to research our opponent and so proceed armed with knowledge."
"A contrast to the bold Doctor would be Dryant, as it would surprise no one to see the failed priest as a quivering tower of jellied fear, cowering behind a scone at the merest mention of new adversity."
"Let us regroup tomorrow then. And best of luck with your new goblin."
"A contrast blah blah blah Doctor blah blah Dryant, as blah blah surprise donut blah blah blah as a shimmering tower of jelly and beer, covering a scone at the nearest muffin and very buttery."
Dyrant vaguely hears the Old Man blathering about something, but focuses on more important things: like pre-breakfast.
He's always talking, but no one listens.
My goodness, the old man can be unpleasant. Is he conscious of how unpleasant he can be? At least Dyrant does his best to swallow his disagreeableness, more often than not. But he is right—when I call someone friend, it does mean I need to take the bad with the good.
"Silfr, as your fellow at arms and a member of the same society of adventurers, I would ask that you show more respect to myself and our friend Dyrant, here. Your barbs are most unwelcome. I do not speak this way lightly to my elders, but I feel I must be frank with you."
"As good a diplomat as you sometimes appear to be, I should have thought that you would recognize when the term 'friend' is used for someone with whom you might intend constructive discourse. Apparently there are different schools of thought in this matter..."
"Perhaps I was presumptuous speaking for the group when I suggested we keep hold of our captive a little while longer. As I noted, however, it is my intention to hand him to the guard when we have finished our effort to suppress his enchantment."
"As for my bravery or lack thereof—I will act to protect and aid you when the situation calls for it. But there is nothing cowardly about taking time to prepare for conflict. Dyrant has also shown great bravery, putting himself in dangerous situations when he could seek more sedentary employ. You think him a coward for not fighting in the front lines? It would make as much sense to call you cowardly for wearing your armor—but I do not find you cowardly. You are both most brave."
"It seems to me we've all been up too late as it is and tempers are short. I suggest we retire, I'll help keep watch over our prisoner if need be. We should meet over breakfast tomorrow and discuss our next move - and where we should house ourselves in the future."
"Doctor, come with me and we'll see if the church has a suitable hold for our prisoner. If not, I suggest we call it a day and turn the creature over to the watch early. I suspect we will have plenty of opportunities to question these sort in the coming days."
"For now I must rest. Doctor come with me to the church."
Such squabbling. Were we always like this or has success gone to our heads?
It's approaching midnight when you arrive at the church and Jenya is asleep. There are a couple empty cells without locks in the church. There is also at least one closet that could be quickly emptied and locked from the outside. There is also the garden shed which could be locked.
"Doctor, you find offense where none was attendant to my words for your ears. My appologies, I would not wish to upset so considerate and learned man as yourself. Words do indeed mean different things to different people, something I will strive to bear in mind."
Silfr doesn't have anything to say about his defense of Dryant, who Silfr obviously loathes and doubts there will ever be a reconciliation.
He uses the word friend when speaking of hostile prisoners, and seems to think diplomacy means being a go-along yes man that must bring peace by prostrating before every cretin that causes us difficulty. When I think of diplomacy other behaviors come to mind...
DIplomacy: You can use this skill to persuade others to agree with your arguments, to resolve differences, and to gather valuable information or rumors from people. This skill is also used to negotiate conflicts by using the proper etiquette and manners suitable to the problem.
Silfr will head home, making a mental note that Toffitt is touchy concerning the word bravery and prone to mistaking complements as barbs when on a waning cycle.
That night his dreams will perhaps be troubled by the rift with the doctor, as he will dream of golden bears fighting purple and gold wolf dogs.
It's approaching midnight when you arrive at the church and Jenya is asleep. There are a couple empty cells without locks in the church. There is also at least one closet that could be quickly emptied and locked from the outside. There is also the garden shed which could be locked.
We'll use the garden shed, something that Atol should at least have rightful access to if not permission to use in this way. At least the Doctor and Atol keep watch over the creature in turns.
Though Atol struggles to stay awake during his watch...
Dyrant pulls out his sketch of Jzadirune as he walks back to Ghelve's.
"See here, good Doctor?" Dyrant points to a few locations on the map. "Or here, next to your former la-bor-atory." Dyrant points to a few more isolated rooms with good Jzadirune doors. "Many of these rooms should suffice for keeping the goblin for a few days."
Dyrant says with a final note on the goblin matter, hoping to put it to rest unless something else happens of note.
Dr. Toffitt sighs as Silfr departs. Perhaps I was a bit touchy, myself. i suppose I am as guilty of condescension as Silfr. It does rankle that he so often challenges the motives and ideas of others, even while dressing his criticisms up in half-complements... But again, he is a comrade, and I do not wish for this disagreement to turn into a rift.
Returning his attention to Atol and Dyrant, he says, "Jzadirune or the church both sound like fine ideas." "However, perhaps the church would provide a greater spiritual protection against fell forces. Not to mention the danger we would be placing Ghelve in, if Drakthar attempted a rescue."
[ooc]I'm going to fast forward some rolls after the goblin is resolved for the night.
"I am not tired but I agree we should retire for the night. We stopped this band but there will be others. We need to solve this quickly."
"Glimmil, given that Drakthar or his allies are able to possess the bodies of his servants, I agree with Dyrant. We should proceed with care."
"Our minds are stronger than a simple goblins, are they not?" Glimmil suggests with much bravado.
He then glances at each of the Cauldron Six in turn, wondering who among them has the weakest will.
It's definitely not Atol! He had the will to return from the dead...
It is difficult enough for me to keep the Beast at bay. Could I withstand the depredations of this Drakthar...? I fear I must gird myself, somehow...
Atol and Toffitt clear the shed of tools and shackle the goblin to a post inside. He mocks you as you secure him. As Atol goes to relieve Toffitt and they look inside at the goblin, they find it dead on the ground, it's skull smashed in.
Understandably, the party is alarmed and carefully examines every inch of the shed, but they find nothing.
- Atol or Toffitt
- perception
- perception
"Disappointing, but not altogether surprising. Clearly this little guy had information that would be damaging to his leader and he was killed for it. I don't like that they were able to do it here though, under our noses and without being observed. Disappointing."
Atol spends most of the day resting from the nights events. He will find time in the afternoon to scribe a couple scrolls (Delay Poison & Remove Paralysis - already paid for), but otherwise spends the day wandering his garden lightly tending it and napping.
They must have snuck in using Invisibility. I bet one of us could have done that if we were careful enough. Not too tough, but tough enough. We must be ready.
"Uh, er, Jenya? I'm sorry about the state of the shed, I'll clean it up as much as I can this morning. We had him kept prisoner so we could try and break the enchantment on him that was protecting his leader. Apparently his leader learned of his survival and took him out last night. I don't know how as the good Dr. was on guard at the time, I was a little drowsy, but he was clear and watchful. I'm sorry for the trouble and submit to any punishment on behalf of the Cauldron Six."
Atol begins to take off his outer robe so as to be better bludgeoned for making such a mess of the garden shed.
It's been a long time since I've been beaten for making a mess of things. Maybe I'll avoid it this time by cleaning it up myself!
"Uh, er, Jenya?
"So let me make sure I understand things correctly. You and your friends were being helpful yesterday and killed some of the goblins plagueing our town. You then deduced that one of them was being dominated by something powerful. Your 'solution' was to bring him here and leave him in the garden shed? You did not think that a goblin under the effects of a spell more powerful than I can break was worthy of my attention?!"
Jenya's normally soft and motherly face is replaced by a stern, emotionless face. "Do not think that just because Delasharn is not here that there is no discipline left in this place."
Jenya then beats Atol soundly until at least she is in tears. She then dismisses Atol.
Atol limps away back to his cell properly abashed. He tries to put on his Muleback Cords but can't with the welts quickly forming. He decides to put it off a day and instead admires them on the chair in his cell until he falls asleep...
Dr. Toffitt accompanies Atol as he gives the news to Jenya, but waits outside her chambers as he is doing so. He catches snatches of their conversation, and then braces himself at the sounds of the priest being beaten.
As Atol leaves, Toffitt begs Jenya for a moment of her time.
"Sister, I apologize for my part in what happened to the poor goblin. It was my idea to hold him for the night, and I now see that was a mistake. I beg your pardon."
He thinks about it for a moment, but refrains from prostrating himself for a beating.
"Despite our failure, it may be that you have some insight into the threat that we face. The goblin had begun to tell of his leader. We believe him to be a bugbear, but with the ability to take the shape of a wolf or frog. Clearly he is also able to dominate his minions."
"Does any of this portrait ring a bell for you?"
Dr. Toffitt will do what he can to assemble the goblin's body in a transportable manner, and take it to the guard. He also begs their forgiveness, explaining as best he can the situation.
"We took him to the Church of Cuthbert, hoping that it would be a safe place to keep the creature. We set a watch over him last night, with the hopes of disenchanting the little fellow this morning. Unfortunately, when we entered his cell this morning, we found his head bashed in. I am most sorry. I fear we face some grave threat that can pass unseen before our very eyes."
He will then relate the information that the party has gathered about Drakthar and his minions. "The goblin claimed 600 among their ranks, though I suspect he was exaggerating" He repeats the description that the goblin gave of Drakthar, asking for any insights the guard might have.
His actions over five days will depend on the information gathered, but will likely involve setting up the alchemist's lab in the group's new home, and perhaps crafting items that are indicated by information gathered. He may also spend some time continuing to gather information about Drakthar.
He will work with Atol to make his dueling blade masterwork, and awaits his chain shirt and bow...
"The prisoner is dead, his brain smashed in. He claims his master can turn into a wolf and fog, and the locks weren't smashed on the shed. A goblin got away, so we can only assume Drakthar got in as mist and killed his servant. I don't suppose Jenya has any way to speak to a corpse? Drakthar must be a powerful sorcerer to do such things. We should plan for that."
@ Toffitt with Jenya
"Your apology is accepted. You played a part in this debacle, but my trust was not yours to violate."
"Did you say frog or fog? If it was fog, then this is most worrisome. What you describe would be a vampire. They generally do not 'gift' such lowly beasts as a bugbear with their curse, but I guess it is possible."
- Knowledge Religion
"I don't suppose Jenya has any way to speak to a corpse?"
Dr. Toffitt will do what he can to assemble the goblin's body in a transportable manner, and take it to the guard. He also begs their forgiveness, explaining as best he can the situation.
Captain Skellerang greets the party. "Don't feel so bad. You're not the only one with brains splattered on your walls this morning. The guards don't know how it happened, but there was suddenly this beast in the cell with the goblin smashing their heads in. The guards stabbed at it, but their weapons had no affect. Then the creature just disappeared into a fog."
"I don't suppose Jenya has any way to speak to a corpse?"
"My goodness... How does one battle such a creature. I have heard tell of the use of garlic..."
"My goodness... How does one battle such a creature. I have heard tell of the use of garlic..."