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Round 3 Initiative 23
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"We haven't forgotten you Bizzlemont!"
Beckon to hypnotized goblins to huddle close in rapt attention (AG9, AG8, AH8).
Maintain bardic performance as a move action.
Activate Arcane Strike as a Swift.
Fire an arrow at one of the goblins menacing Bizzle (AF10)
Edit: Damage should be 10, forgot Inspire Courage bonus.
As the goblins rush by, Durahl injures another severely and Fornitado misses with his longsword.
The goblins attack
Three vs Bizzle first two w/flank
Five vs Durahl first two w/flank
Four vs Fornitado first two w/ flank
Two Blind vs Fornitado
One vs Merrie
Five goblins attack Durahl and six Fornitado missing. Merrie and Bizzlemont get attacked by one and three respectively, and the two flanking the gnome land two blows.
"Bizzlemont!! Ama, Merrie, help him!"
Lamriel says this as he trains an arrow on one of the gnome's assailants himself.
Round 2, Initiative count 16
Sigh, the things I do for amusement.
Tavar will total defense for an ac of 19 (3 ranks in acro) and walk behind Strang. Drawing all of the aoo's uncaringly.
Path AE10 AF11 AG11 AH11 AI10
Lamriel's arrow fails to penetrate goblin leathers. Merrie shifts to flank with the elven cleric.
The unaware goblin evades a poorly aimed dagger thrust. Merrie looked to Ama and said: "These little guys are nimble."
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Round 3, Initiative 27
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Durahl dodges and weaves to avoid the onslaught by the vermin surrounding him.
Enough of this foolishness!
Clashing his sword against his shield and weaving the blade in an intricate dance Durahl screams "Is that the best you can do, you little gutter dogs?!? Durahl the Butcher of Blackbriar swears by all the powers above and below that not one of you will leave this field of battle alive!"
Durahl brandishes his weapon demonstrating an amazing proficiency as he whirls it about his head and around his body with ease.
The goblins stare in awe and wonder, even more than those affected by the entrancing spell of the bard.
The priest yells: "I'll be back!" and gestures. In a crackling of magical energy he disappears.
The remaining goblins, crying at being deserted, fall to the ground on their knees. The impressive display, the loss of the priest, and the incredible casualties they have suffered too much for their spirit to handle. Their heads pressed against the ground, they utter a single word in a strange tongue.
Terion smiles - "Told you boys you REALLY shouldn't have done it"
"Drop your weapons, and stand where you are!" - he growls at the creatures all around them, then turns to his companions - "Everyone safe?!"
The red-head moves up to the goblin on the edge of the road, intentionally twirling her loose fitting cloak as she approaches him she speaks to him in soothing tones as she bends over him. The view of the goblin is obstructed for only a brief second.
As he moves on to the next goblin, the previous goblin is motionless. Cowering, the goblins seem distraught.
"Is she... Wiping them out?" - Terion asks to the others, more surprised than anything else.
"I'm... not sure."
"She's relieving us of our enemies. Surrender or not, goblins are not to be trusted!" Bizzlemont glares at the goblins around him who caused the bloody wound on his arm.
"I grant, you it's not very heroic, but give them a chance and they'll jump us again."
"I find this tactic unsettling. At least allow them an opportunity to disperse. But first, we should speak with the three who enjoyed my music so much."
The corners of the elfs mouth are turned down in distaste.
Merrie turns to face Cole as he approaches, staring intently at him as he grabs his holy symbol and detects evil.
Realizing she has the height advantage, Merrie looks down at Cole with a suppressed giggle.
"You think goblins have to be spelled to attack people? You think you can speak for me and bind me with your words?"
Merrie quickly flushes red in the face and then calms down.
"Do what you wish with the goblins."
The remaining goblins continue to grovel and wail. Eventually they are rounded up and herded into a column. Some continue to grasp their crude small razors and knifes, some have left them forgotten on the ground.
A camp in the open is made, as darkness is quick to follow. Interrogation in common reveals nothing--these goblins only speak their native tongue.
Lamriel procures a clean wash cloth from Skylark's saddlebag, and glides to an interceding position between Merrie and the agitated halfling.
"There is blood on your hands, my lady." he says with a sad smile.
Durahl glowers as he listens to the halflings "misguided" speech, "Bah! These miserable wretches would turn on their own mothers for a scrap of moldy bread. I've given them no offer of quarter and they'll get none from me..." He pauses momentarily and continues, "However, I have no wish to quarrel with any in this group who feel as the half-man does and I'll not give these vermin the satisfaction of seeing us turn on one another in argument over their pathetic lives. Perhaps, Fate has another path for me...I think I'll seek my Fortune elsewhere. Any who wish to join me are welcome. Good fortune to you all and may the wind be ever at your back!"
With that, Durahl lopes off back in the direction from which the group just came, pauses to give a short salute at the top of a rise in the road and then vanishes into the cold, misty air.
Merrie looks on helplessly as Durahl leaves.
"I understand." is all she says.
The goblins have not eaten well in a while and quickly start chewing on pieces of their leather armor. Ama points out they were underfed and the sores on their feet show they were marched hard over the last day or two.
"Just take their arms and scatter them to the wind. I don't know why we've kept them around this long if there's nothing to be learned from them. Strang, why don't you check their persons for anything of note first."
The goblins seem to indicate the priest was inspired by Magdh. Magdh is all they can say and it takes a while to decipher the strange pronunciation in their tongue.
Magdh is one of the Eldest, a divine fey creature of tremendous power said to be able to reshape the very fabric of the First World on a whim.
Magdh is a feminine demigod with three faces and takes the role of prophetess and seer amongst the Eldest; her skills of prophecy and in understanding fate seem to be great. Magdh will accept visitors who wish to partake of her future vision; such searchers find a welcome both strange and mysterious.
"They get to go free?" Merrie says.
Merrie describes the town of Ferraburg.
Ferraburg is a sleepy little mining town nestled in the foothills of the Chatar Mountain range. The town was founded 175 years ago as a trading station to get supplies to the miners who worked the gold, iron, and lead mines in the frozen mountains.
About 100 years ago, a huge iron vein was discovered, and Ferraburg, despite its isolated location, became a roaring boomtown. Its prosperity lasted nearly 20 years until the vein dried up as quickly as it had opened.
The town decreased in size substantially, and might have faded away, but a local wizard, Morlean, began to magically locate the few remaining lodes of ore for the miners. Since then, the town has stabilized at 500 inhabitants, mostly human and dwarves.
"I don't think we can simply let these bastards run away to band together again later on, and waylay someone else who happens to be passing through - that is all they do" - Terion pipes in at Merrie's question - "We can simply herd them into town, and let the local law be done with them" - he adds.
He then moves to one at a time, searching them for valuables - "You won't be needing any of this where you are going, you little rats" - he growls while moving through the group of critters - "You're lucky I don't speak your language, or you would be answering some questions for me. No doubt about that!" - he bellows.
After they have been stripped of any valuables and weapons they may posses, Terion is ready to move out - "Lets get back on the road then"
The goblins mew and hold their stomachs. They are obviously malnourished and injured. Making them fend for themselves in this cold would be the height of inhumanity Cole informs you after consulting his amulet.
Merrie, who shared the jerked pig she had prepared the first few days of the journey, now shakes her heads and ends up depleting all her rations to feed the goblins. They ravenously devour about 10gp of premium trail rations before quieting down, and she stares daggers at Cole, Terion and Lamriel. Although you try to settle down and sleep with regular guard shifts, a goblin blood curdling scream awakes you at least twenty times during the night. Unable to converse with them, you nevertheless believe they have not been well treated.
Fornitado has refused to discuss the goblins, as their predicament does not concern him. He does look annoyed, as he seems unable to get a decent sleep.
Morning comes, and the entire party is fatigued from the lack of sleep and stumbles into Ferraburg at a few hours past midday. Jalla, a dour, tall, dark-skinned man is tapping his foot impatiently at the gate. Seeing the goblins, his mood darkens further.
Merrie helps you escort the goblins to the Iron Fortress, an impressive solid iron building that houses the watch and the local prison. Merrie informs the guard that the goblins attacked the group in Snake Pass, and the grim dwarven sergeant quickly marches the goblins into the basement.
Jalla then escorts you to the largest structure in town save the Iron Fortress. a large mansion full of exotic antiques and curios. Jalla brings you into a large study with rugs and tapestries of exotic scenes from far away.
Jalla, Morlean's apprentice, has barely spoken the whole time, but Morlean makes up for it with a grand speech as he points to a table with 500 gold coins in 50 stacks of ten on it.
Upon seeing Merrie produce the bracer, Morlean's eyes light up. He is large portly man with hair and beard that is very gray. He hands the bracer to Jalla, who quickly departs with it.
Merrie briefly recounts the battle and Morlean says:
"You are great tacticians. Oh, to be young and mobile again."
"My divinations proclaim there is great treasure to be had in Titan's Crown, the large mountain that dominates the landscape. If you wish to investigate it, I will arm you with equipment, legends, and charms. BUT, you must bring to me any silver armor you find and describe in detail your experiences in the mountain."
"You may keep all of the other considerable treasures housed within. What say you all?"
Merrie scoops half of the coins into her pack and briefly considers grabbing another stack of ten, but has second thoughts. She nods to Morlean, "I'm in!"
"Pardon me, but what is the significance of the silver armor?
The wizard brings his hands together in a steeple:
"It saps the life force from the wearer. To what purpose, I would need the entire suit to verify."
Merrie helps you escort the goblins to the Iron Fortress, an impressive solid iron building that houses the watch and the local prison. Merrie informs the guard that the goblins attacked the group in Snake Pass, and the grim dwarven sergeant quickly marches the goblins into the basement.
"Thank the Gods that is finally done!" - Terion roars - "I was about to regret keeping those wretches alive, and kill them with my bare hands during the night - noisy as HELL they are!" - he grins at Cole.
"My divinations proclaim there is great treasure to be had in Titan's Crown, the large mountain that dominates the landscape. If you wish to investigate it, I will arm you with equipment, legends, and charms. BUT, you must bring to me any silver armor you find and describe in detail your experiences in the mountain."
"You may keep all of the other considerable treasures housed within. What say you all?"
Merrie scoops half of the coins into her pack and briefly considers grabbing another stack of ten, but has second thoughts. She nods to Morlean, "I'm in!"
Terion listens to the man as he looks the coins over at the table.
"Great treasure you say?" - the man ponders for a moment - "And you say you divined it?" - he frowns.
"Let us say we accept - what kind of equipment, legends and charms do you have to equip us?" - he asks matter of fact.
Fornitado eyes the coins, mentally deducts the church's portion, and decides that he needs to adventure more as well.
"I suppose I am ready and willing for another adventure". "Hopefully this won't involve babysitting annoying creatures of any type".
"Why don't we visit that dwarven sergeant in the iron fortress and ask if anything has been learned by interrogating the goblins who attacked us?"
Morlean rings a bell and his apprentice arrives.
"Jaffa, bring me the contracts."
As the tall, dark, but not so handsome apprentice leaves to fetch the contracts, Morlean smiles:
"My secrets are my own. Many in town are jealous of my abilities. Capability breeds jealousy I have learned. If you agree, we discuss things in detail."
Merrie looks up and says:
"I could not have brought the bracer back without help. I could have taken fifteen or twenty goblins, but forty was too many. I fear the Crown will be even tougher."
Morlean nods: "From what I heard, you did will together. With my support, you can do better."
Terion looks at the man intently - "Well, in that case, lets take a look at those contracts, shall we?"
"Morlean, this is quite an impressive tower you have here. I imagine you have spent year studying various items and arts. If we do this, would you be willing to share some of your arcane knowledge with me? I find a trade of such things to be good for the spread of our art."
Morelean smiles: "Your group seems to be quite quid pro quo my good gnome. Get me some silver armor and we will talk."
Jaffa produces some contracts. You determine that Morlean is the party of the first part and you are the party of the second part. From what you can tell, you are an exclusive agent of Morlean, bound to give him all silver armor and recount your time in the Titan Crown. You may not work for anyone else without Morlean's approval. Morlean allows you to keep all other treasure found and provide you the magical means necessary to access the Crown.
Merrie looks over her contract and her brow crinkles as she reads. She signs in a flourish. It appears her surname or appelation is Flamehair.