Round 21
1) Cat takes a 5' step back to 2616-0715 and readies and action to jump on Guugdur.
2) Foxglove moves to 2616-0515 and attacks Guugdur, but no longer has a flank with Cat. She hits for 5 HP of damage.
3) Alk uses a move action to put the scroll away in the scroll case, then moves to 2616-0411 as he draws his shortsword. The thorn bushes are almost 10' tall ( ). Alk can hear the fight but only sees the participants dimly (partial concealment).
4) Guugdur turns with a snarl to attack Foxglove ( ) and hits for hp. (Foxglove now at 26 hp.) As a move action Guugdur draws something from her pouch.
5) Harad uses his last point of ki to gain an extra attack in his flurry of blows:
and misses,
and misses, and
and hits for hp.
End of Round 21
Round 22
1) Cat Actions
2) Foxglove Actions
3) Alk Actions
4) Guugdur Actions
5) Harad Actions
Leaping to dig claws and teeth into her hand that is drawing something out.
Foxglove scowls as Guugdur turns her attention away from the Cat just in time to twist around, turning the attack into a mere flesh wound.
She gasps as Guugdur touches her. That wasn't supposed to happen!
[ooc]I assume I can flank also from 0617, if not moving to a flanking position is higher priority than the second attack[ooc]
Foxglove draws right (5' step to 0617), trying to blindside Guugdur (full attack).
,
,
Round 22
1) Cat tries to leap to attack Guugdur's hand ( ), and hits for ( ) no damage. Hitting allows her to try and hang on ( ) but she can't and lands gently to the ground in 0616
2) Foxglove moves 5' to 2616-0617 to gain the flank on Guugdur. She attacks from the flank, missing with the rapier but striking with the dagger ( ) with a confirmed critical hit. Damage is ( ) 16 hp. Guugdur slumps to the ground unconsciousness and bleeding, dropping a vial from her hand.
[EDIT: Round 22 when Gugdur dies]
3) Alk actions?
4) Harad Actions
5) Guugdur dying
Alk dashes toward the sounds of the combat and stops abruptly in front of the collapsed goblin. He takes a few seconds to catch his breath. On the inside Alk is laughing at the futility of his own actions, though his face remains impassive.
Foxglove looks down at the dying goblin
(in common) "Believe me, we can hold back the chains of death - at least for today"
She nods at Alk, then gives Harad a puzzled look
"What kind of magic was that? Her touch... like it burned but cold.. though not exactly... do you think..."
That thought fizzles out as she looks back at Guugdur:
"Careful with that vial. It may be healing, may be invisibility, or it may be some ugly contact poison she wanted to fling at us. Fortunately Cat bit her hand at just the moment and provided an opening. Yes, you're such a good kitty! Ahem.The other one had some two - healing or poison I would guess."
She will offer Tiebite's vials to Alk for a closer look if he wants. Other than that she just stands there catching her breath, waiting for the others to make a move.
Cat slinks off under the nearest thorn bush to observe the group, while getting out of view if there's anything else lurking about.
Harad says"I don't know if there are any others around, but let's keep an eye out. As I have been poisoned twice today and I would prefer that we are not disturbed. I have potions that will temporarily relieve the effects of the poison, but it will take me 9 or 10 days to recover fully from the effects without divine healing. Why don't you two search the body to see if there is anything of use or that might give us information. After that let us go back to the cabin to examine it in detail to try and find out why these goblins were here. And I think someone should go back to the road and bring the animals to the cabin."
Alk and Foxglove search the body only to discover that the bone armor that she wore has disappeared. They find in her belt pouch 6 black feathers, a smaller down feather, and (including the one on the ground she wasn't able to use) 12 potions. There are also 49 gp and a small, highly polished steel mirror in it's own bag. You almost miss something sown into the lining of her clothing: a small broken chin link.
It will take over a minute for Alk to appraise the potions and gets the following information:
#1 40 gp
#2 50 gp
#3 60 gp
#4 50 gp (magic)
#5 62 gp
#6 58 gp
#7 350 gp
#8 300 gp (magic)
#9 50 gp
#10 worthless
#11 60 gp
#12 50 gp (magic)
The two Foxglove took from Tiebite appear to be the same and worth 120 gp each.
Nothing else happens while this is going on.
the bone armor that she wore has disappeared.
Very curious. Was it made out of dark magic?
They find in her belt pouch 6 black feathers, a smaller down feather,
"Alk, any idea what these are for?"
a small, highly polished steel mirror in it's own bag.
"The other one had one just like it." But why? To see something hidden? Or maybe they are linked somehow? It will certainly be good for doing my make-up!
You almost miss something sown into the lining of her clothing: a small broken chin link.
"Aha! This must be... the broken chains of death?"
Hidden in clothing.. so both important and secret.. hmm...
Cat weaves her way through the bushes, back to the horse, leaps up onto it's pack, and curls back into a ball.
They find in her belt pouch 6 black feathers, a smaller down feather,"Alk, any idea what these are for?"
Alk replies to her, "This 'un looks like a spell caster. Components fer a spell seems the mos' likely thing." Alk then heads off to get the animals, praying to Desna that they didn't run off while everything was going on.
Overview of Encounter Area (requires downloading)
1307-2515 In the Cabin
Alk finds the animals undisturbed. Cat is once again asleep atop Carrot. He brings them back to the cabin.
By this time the writhing grass area has subsided to normal. Harad and Foxglove bring the buddy of Guugdur back to the cabin. Foxglove pushes the goblin body on the roof over the edge to fall to the ground. Harad moves the body of Tiebite next to Guugdur and goes to bring the 4th goblin to lay with the others. Alk secures the animals on the north side of the cabin to graze.
A more through search of the bodies is made. A broken chain link is found hidden on each of them. The total equipment/items found on the bodies are:
(4) broken chain links
(4) goblin dogslicers
(14) vials with liquid contents (none identified)
(1) spell component pouch containing 6 black feathers and 1 down feather (Guugdur)
(3) small short bows with 20 arrows each (too small for Alk)
(3) leather armor, small (Tiebite)
(1) scroll case with a scroll containing 3 spells (one identified as color spray)
(2) small highly polished steel mirrors in a soft cloth bag
(1) set of thieves tools
51 gp, 5 sp, 32 cp
About 30 minutes later the fog dissipates from the cabin and the party can enter for a through search. The cabin is in great disarray. There is a large hole in the roof and the southwest corner of the cabin has been crushed by the rock slide. The front door is laying in splinters and chunks, and the furniture left within the cabin is broken. There is a broken table in the southeast corner and a broken bench in the northwest corner. In both the northwest and southwest corners are piles of debris that seems to have been moved there to clear the center of the room. In the center there is a crude fire pit surrounded by the chareed and gnawed bones of small animals. Foxglove saw on her first entry into the cabin that there is a small hole through the east wall by the fireplace partially hidden by the broken table. This allows access to the area behind the east side of the cabin. There between the cabin and the hill is an old well.
By taking a 20 on perception the party can find a bull's eye lantern in excellent working order and 4 pints of lamp oil. It is well maintained and almost new. The party discovers that there is a well used path from the hole in the wall up the hill to the east. There are two high places at the top of the hill (see 1307-2614 & 2615 in Encounter Overview), the southern one being the highest. The trail leads up between the two and around to the western side of the taller one. There is an apparatus attached to the southern high point just below the top where it can not be seen by the road. There seems to be a mirror on the bottom with a tube that looks like it is aimed toward the south-southeast.
From this side of the hill the party can see that there is a stream running south from the southern end of the hill (1307-2518). The land to the east of the hill is open grass land for about a half mile until a large grove of trees (hex 1407). About a mile south there is a cluster of rocky hills and thick trees (hex 1408).
Harad says, "I am at a disadvantage until restored. Even if we are only a mile south of where we started, I suggest we remain here til the morning. Some of my weakness will be gone and I have potions to help us recover from our damage. What do you think?"
Alk nods to Harad, saying, "Aye, I'm runnin' a bi' low meself. Tomorrow maybe I can ge' some of these potions iden'ified."
Once the party gets settled in, Alk will see if the well is in working conditions, and draw some water for making dinner if it is.
When mounts and wounds are tended, camp is made and the bonfire is burning, Foxglove fetches a bottle of good wine from her saddlebags. She tries to beckon the Cat over in addition to Alk and Harad.
"I'll take the first two watches, long as you let me sleep in the morning. But first - poisoned or not - we celebrate. We've already achieved much today: we've solved a mystery, rid the road of a dangerous monster, stopped a dark magic user and found a bit of treasure. Not bad for half a day's work!"
She offers her companions a cup each
"More importantly, we're functioning as a team. There's a way to go, but I saw all of us sticking out our necks for each other: risking the thorns, webs, fire, poison, arrows and dark magic because we trusted the others to do their job. And we delivered. That is how we will succeed in this enterprise. I salute you, friends!"
You think you saw a little tear in her eye. Either she really means it, or she's even better at bluffing than you thought.
"I brought two good bottles. The other one we share when it is all over."
---
Later, as her companions rest, she carefully cleans and sharpens her weapons, tries to wash the blood out of her clothes, and cleans herself (including the promised rubbing of ointment). She's not be most attentive sentry, but is effective at getting her chores done.
After chopping more wood and doing some stretches, she rolls out her blanket and offers it to Cat. For as long as Cat is willing, she will sit by the fire cuddling Cat and telling/making up stories about her past travels.
Harad accepts a cup of wine but after a few sips to savor its taste, he waters the remaining to finish with his dinner. It is only mid day when these events unfold so there is time to examine the cabin in even more detail. Harad drinks a potion from his pack ( ) but only fells partially recovered (now at 24 hp). He decides to wait until the morning to see how much he heals overnight. He offers a cure light wounds potion to both Alk and Foxglove.
Foxglove and the rest can clean their equipment and clothes as they wish in the afternoon. Harad asks Alk to come with him to examine the device at the top of the hill. Alk examines the device ( ) and can tell that there is some magic about the device similar to the spell wispering wind. Harad examines the device ( ) and says that he is unsure about who made this device. They have not removed the device from its attachments, but there are some lenses, a crystal, and some adjusting screws. The end of the tube resembles a trumpet horn. Alk believes that the mirror on the bottom would redirect light from below up into the tube to be focused on the crystal. Harad is unsure what to do with it.
As the evening falls the party straightens up the debris and builds a partial barricade in the doorway with the remains of the broken furniture. Harad is fine with Foxglove taking the first two watches while he will take the 3rd watch leaving Alk the 4th so he can study his spells after a good sleep.
Event on the ( ) 1st watch
After the sun sets and night has fully fallen, the party beds down for the night. Toward the end of the first watch Foxglove is suddenly aware of a genital breeze inside the cabin. From the air she hears in goblin "You have failed to report. Do so immediately or you will be replaced." ( ) She can tell that the speaker is not itself a goblin.
Before the voice, while others are eating, Cat goes hunting in nearby bushes for a little dinner.
Afterwards, she spends the majority of the night cat-napping and keeping watch from the nearest, tallest tree.
Toward the end of the first watch Foxglove is suddenly aware of a genital breeze inside the cabin.
Alk takes one of the offered healing potions, drinking it.
Toward the end of the first watch Foxglove is suddenly aware of a genital breeze inside the cabin. From the air she hears in goblin "You have failed to report. Do so immediately or you will be replaced."
Foxglove dashes over to Harad (whom she expect is the lightest sleeper), effectively wakes him up (involving a slap and a cup of water). She holds a hand over his mouth so he cannot interrupt, and hisses at him
"Trouble! Wake Alk, I'm investigating"Without waiting for a reply, the dashes towards the cabin.
On the way she drinks a healing potion from her bandolier
Showtime! Let's give mr-mysterious-voice a report
She enters the cabin, pulling her cloak tightly around herself and crouching down. I bet it's sound only and no image - like my wand - but one can never be too sure.
She tries to sound like a goblin - at least enough to fool a human or elf - and talks to where she thinks the voice is coming from (in goblin)
"Master! They all went to investigate, and left only the two of us to guard. They will be back soon. Everything fine, we was just eating."
(same skill at both, not sure if either apply)
Hadar does awaken Alk and stares at Foxglove's actions. Nothing seems to happen.
Cat is likely awakened (if asleep) by the new voice. She maintains her vigil.
Perception Check DC15 to hear whispered voice
Foxglove did hear the voice. Harad woke up when he heard the voice. Alk remained asleep. Cat did not hear the whisper, but did hear Foxglove whispering to Harad.
After a few moments when nothing else happens Alk asks what went on. ( ) From the description Alk says that it was most likely a whispering wind spell. There was only the delivered message, no visual or return message as a part of the spell. Alk can return to sleep without loosing the ability to learn spells tomorrow.
Any actions other than going back to normal and waiting for dawn?
[ooc]/facepalm. My bad, fireplace plus roof beats open air indeed. The doorway barricade was another clear clue. But Foxglove as sentry would be sitting or moving just outside the cabin where she could also keep an eye on the road.
As Alk gives his lecture and returns to sleep, Foxglove sulks for a short while before returning to her half-meditative sentry more. She mentally goes through the events of the day and replays the fights in her head, trying to see what could have been done better. But we won and all stayed alive, that's the main thing.
At the end of the second watch, she walks another round around the perimeter, finishes the bottle of wine and goes to wake Harad.
"..or you will be replaced?" So, Goblins with a mission. And someone stronger is coming to replace them shortly. We shouldn't linger too long then... just give me a good night sleep first
The moon rose last night about 1:30 am; it is a couple of days til full moon. The night was clear and in the upper 50's. This morning dawns with the beginning of clouds with showers possible. The morning finds the party rested. All gain 4 hp from the rest overnight. Harad has gained an ability point to both str and dex.
Alk successfully studies his spells and prepares to identify the potions.
Spellcraft Checks for Guugdur's Possessions:
potion of enlarge person
potion of enlarge person
potion of hide from animals
potion of hide from animals
potion of hide from undead
can not identify
potion of lesser restoration
can not identify
potion of mage armor
potion of mage armor
can not identify
potion of reduce person
The small white feather detects as magical ( ) but Alk can not identify what it is.
The two potions that were on Tiebite are not magical.
Harad decides to try one of his cure light wounds potions for ( ) 8 hp (now at 36 hp).
What is the party's decision on next actions.
Foxglove is slow to rise and demands some time to freshen up and have breakfast before starting the new day. However after a cup of tea, she suddenly remembers her thoughts from last night.
"Oh, by Cayden's buttocks! Guys, the voice from last night said the goblins would be replaced if they failed to report. That means someone or something strong enough to 'replace' the goblins will be coming here to check."
"The safe option is to cover our tracks and be far away in a short time. The stupid option is to wait here. The dangerous option is to find out what they are here for and and try to sabotage it - or steal it."
"That.. device. Is that what made the fog? Or is it for something worse? Should we do something about it?"
Cat wanders over to the horse and hops back up to her usual mobile sleeping position.
While Foxglove is taking the time to get ready in the morning, Alk will attempt to scribe into his spellbook the scroll of identify he has on his person.
Befuddled by the conundrum of putting the arcane writing into his own arcane words, Alk draws a blank and, frustrated, returns the scroll to its case, coming up with nothing for his effort. He sighs, casts prestidigitation to tidy himself up, then gives a smalls smile, ready for the day.
Foxglove's sudden exclamation keeps Alk's attention; he says to her, "Aye, we shoul' be out of here before long. We've a mission we're on, don' forget." He packs his things and prepares to leave as soon as possible.
Alk examines the device ([dice=Spellcraft]1d20+11) and can tell that there is some magic about the device similar to the spell wispering wind.
From the description Alk says that it was most likely a whispering wind spell.
Foxglove is uneasy. She feels like she has forgotten something, or there is something just out of sight. She asks Harad:
"Harad, the dead trees. Did we find any clue at all why there seems to be a circle of death around this cabin?"
Driven by a sudden impulse ("Hang on, I just thought of something"), she dashes up on the top of the hill behind the cabin for a better look.
Is there in fact a full circle of dead trees/grass? If so, can she estimate where/what the centre of the effect is?
Hmm.. no pattern in the dead trees. At least not centered around this cabin or this strange device. I wonder what it does, I bet it's something to do with reporting to the mysterious voice. I wonder... hmm.. if I just try...
Foxgloves curiosity takes over and she starts tinkering with the device. She tries to look into it, talking (in goblin) into it, as well as moving around any loose bits. She uses her masterwork tools to help her tinkering.
As Foxglove attempts to remove the crystal from the box an explosion occurs doing Foxglove ( ) 19 hp of damage (Foxglove now at 13 hp by my count).
Foxglove is damaged but is not knocked off hilltop. The device seems to have been badly damaged by the explosion.
Harad and Alk can not help but notice the explosion on the hilltop.
As Foxglove attempts to remove the crystal from the box an explosion occurs doing Foxglove ( 19 hp of damage (Foxglove now at 13 hp by my count).
Foxglove is damaged but is not knocked off hilltop. The device seems to have been badly damaged by the explosion.
"Ga... ouch! Callistra's beard, that hurt. What was that?" Stupid! Stupid! Greedy, careless and off-balance - you can do better than this, girl.
And I broke it. Well, at least I didn't fall down on the cabin and break my neck. Ouch. It just feels like I did.She dusts herself off and checks if any equipment was damaged or broken. She gulps down a healing potion ( for 16 total) to kill the worst pain, but still bruised, beaten up and a bit confused.
Foxglove stands up from the explosion on the tallest part of the hill behind the cabin (southern high spot in 2615).
Harad calls up "What happened? Are you hurt? Are we under attack?
Cat opens one eye from her perch atop Carrot. Frowns in Foxglove's directions, and closes her eye.
Harad calls up "What happened? Are you hurt? Are we under attack?
"This doubly-damned flea-ridden goat-turd contraption blew up in my face. No attack but I was h.. " She stops mid-word and in a panic feels her face. I hope my nose is still on! And my eyelashes - I need those for my work! She quickly grabs a mirror from a belt pouch an checks herself out. Phew. Nothing missing - but enough bruising that I'll look like a purple drowned zombie tonight. Aargh!
She kicks the broken device hard in anger, almost breaking a toe and yelping at the pain. She has lost both her cool and her looks, and she's not a happy kitten.
"The stupid stupid stupid..ouch!"
She deflates and turns towards Harad again, tears in her eyes.
"It was trapped with some magic spell. I was stupid, could have died. And now I'm going to be completely useless to you."
She slumps down on the ground and feels very sorry for herself.
"except maybe for frightening children (sob)"
Harad turns to Alk, "Do you think that it would be appropriate to ask for the potion of lesser restoration so I can remove some of my ability damage?"
Harad then calls up to Foxglove, "If these goblins are to be replaced for not reporting, do you see anything coming this way?"
"If these goblins are to be replaced for not reporting, do you see anything coming this way?"
Harad's question wakes Foxy from her self-pity. She quickly looks around but sees nothing. Not likely, unless the replacements were already good to go and can travel quickly at night. Or wait - any wizard that has goblins magically report to him in the middle of the night.. might just have troops like that.
"Um.. nothing yet, but we should be moving."Still perched at the top, she tries to scout the road ahead as far as possible. Are there other hills with similar outposts? Are there stretches of road visible from this hilltop where 'replacements' could spot them? Are there any other landmarks ahead?
She then hurries down to the others.
"No chance of hiding what has happened here. But we should at least try to leave as few clues as possible as to who we are and which way we went."
Alk jumps out of the building after he hears the explosion, fumbling for his bow and an arrow as he whips around to see what's attacking the group. Once he sees the situation is under control, he breathes a heavy sigh and ducks back inside to complete his packing.
When he comes back out, he nods assent to Harad's question; Alk is more than happy to let Harad drink the potion. He says to the two, "Well then, let's be off."
As Foxglove joins the others he asks "I would like to take that lesser restoration potion as I have some abilities that are still drained. Are you agreeable to that?"
If she agrees he drinks the potion ( ; ) which exactly restores his dex to full.
The party soon has their gear and that of the goblins worth taking distributed between Carrot and Ælfwine. They return to the road and proceed south.
Hex 1307
Within half an hour The party enters a forested area east of another long hill. Hex 1308 It is only a short while before the exit the trees to see the road curving to the west to avoid small hills to the east of the road. The road makes a turn back to the south, just west of a small group of rocky rises.
Perception Check
As the party gets to 1308-1515 Alk looks at the rocky rises as this is the first solid stone formations he has seen on this journey, ( ) but he sees nothing unusual.
"I would like to take that lesser restoration potion as I have some abilities that are still drained. Are you agreeable to that?"
"Hm? Sure. Good idea. Actually.. I'll trade you for one of the healing potions we found in the spider hole"
She digs into her saddlebags and fishes out one of the healing potions they looted from the dead gnomes camp.----
After sulking about her black eye and bruised face for a while, she gets an idea. Maybe I can scare not just children but goblins too, let me just find my kit. I'm not in good shape for a fight - but for once I could look the part. She gives herself a war paint makeover to make her bruising look badass.
Alk looks at the rocky rises as this is the first solid stone formations he has seen on this journey,
idly to Alk "Those formations look like a good place to stage an ambush. But I don't think anyone's following us."
idly to Alk "Those formations look like a good place to stage an ambush. But I don't think anyone's following us."
Alk gazes intently and, seeing nothing amiss, says to her, "Aye, looks clear t' me." Still, he steers his horse along the eastern edge of the road; lately his senses have failed him a few times.
Cat seems to be sleeping..."seems to be". *ears perked and nose sniffing...just in case*
Hex 1308 The party is in 1308-1515.
After Foxglove applies her "bad-ass" disguise the party continues only 30' when: (1308-1515 Begin Round 1)
Perception Check
Initiative
The Rocky Ambush Local Terrain
Round 1
1) Cat Actions
2) Hobgoblin #1 Actions
3) Harad Actions (beat on dex)
4) Hobgoblin #2 Actions
5) Hobgoblin Leader #1
6) Foxglove Actions
7) Hobgoblin #3 Actions
8) Alk Actions
Foxglove's eyes widen, and she prepares to...