After a further, but uneventful, trek through the swamp, you locate the goblin village.
You find a filthy village-fort surrounded by a crude wooden palisade sitting atop a low hummock of solid ground. There is, or rather, was a wooden gate in the north wall of the palisade. it now lies in shambles on the ground. Nearby, a large, algae-filled pool breaks the palisade on the northeastern side, allowing a clearer view into the village's interior, consisting of a collection of ramshackle huts connected by wooden walkways, all build on thick wooden stilts. One hut is clearly destroyed, lying in ruins at the eastern edge of the pond.
Fibek speaks to Kayosin. "I think a recon of the surrounding area is in order before entering. Do you want the company of an elf or cat?"
The cat looks at you with eyes that say 'Better pick me.'
Ikshvaku listens carefully for anything other than natural sounds.
The area is -suspiciously- quiet.
Which way is Goldilocks going in? The wrecked gate or the pond?
Goldilocks is backing up Kayosin, the primary scout. If Kayosin has no preference, they do a circuit around the perimeter without going in to scout the place out first.
@Kayosin: Yes, Stealth & Perception, please.
You're about 10 yards away, midway between H1 and H2. The village does look like goblin-make. The palisade is about 10' high.
Kayosin – along with the other scouts and after getting someone to cast Message on him – begins circling the village , always staying far enough back as to retain some cover.
The elf waves his cat back as he reminds the creature their bond does not encourage long distances between them. The cat looks disappointed, but nods approvingly as the rogue moves out quite skillfully.
The small figure thinks about it for a minute and decides to come with. He gestures to Tanooki, who flies up into the trees and follows Kayosin into the circling pattern of the village, staying back from him about 10 feet.
Braydon's best attempt at infiltration involves him turning into a giant rat and simply walking into the camp. There's probably a lot of them in there. But the goblins might also attempt to catch and eat him.
Overall, he'll be staying back until signaled
A quick circuit of the palisades show no further entrances or other real openings, though a few spots along the wall are scorched, as if by fire - or fireworks? There are no sounds of movement, no smoke or cooking smells.
"It would seem that there is no other choice, yes? We must enter. At least it appears we are not to be disturbed by goblins!"
Ikshvaku calls up his mind blade before warily advancing to the broken gate.
Kayosin nods, "It is surprisingly quiet."
He moves forward with the tall Vudrani, skulking from cover to cover as they approach the gate. Once again, he begins checking for any nasty surprises that may be awaiting as he scouts the way.
The elf follows, longbow ready and cat at his side.
As you enter the village you see a large, muddy pit containing the remains of some burnt goblins. It looks like a crude attempt at cremation.
There are rickety ladders leading up to the crosswalks between the huts. Looking around you see that the most elaborate hut is in the rear, and seems unreachable without using the crosswalks.
"It would seem our choice is clear, yes?" Ikshvaku dispels his mind blade and climbs one of the rickety ladders, alert for anything threatening.
Kayosin nods, "Someone check the ground for traps. It'd be good to know who or what did this if possible."
He heads up the ladder quietly, eyes and ears straining.
Kayosin has no trouble climbing the stairs and can find no traps. He can also hear a muffled conversation, in goblin, coming from the hut in front of him.
"Bones back?"
"You check!"
"No, you check!"
The conversation then degenerates into sounds of a struggle.
@Vak: yes. No problem.
The elf follows with bow drawn oblivious to his surroundings. He rushes to back up Vak.
Using the scuffle as a distraction, Kayosin peeks into the hut to see what they're dealing with.
Kayosin: there are three adult goblins in this hut. Two of them have dropped their weapons and are fighting each other. The third is hissing at them to "Be quiet! The bones will hear!". That one is holding an odd tube of some kind.
Straehan creeps up like a ninja alongside the scouts.
Braydon:
Fibek:
Goldilocks:
Ikshvaku:
Kayosin:
Straehan:
Sumisu:
monsterx3:
The goblin with the tube-thing looks up as you burst in and yells "Not bones! Longshanks! Kill!"
He points the thing in his hands at Kayosin and lights it! It launches a brilliant pyrotechnic candle toward him.
If one of these hits, take 1 point non-lethal damage and 1 point fie damage. If a crit, blind for 1 round
The other two stop their fight and scramble to pick up their dogslicers.
Round 1:
goblins
Sumisu
Braydon
Kayosin
Vak
Straehan
Goldilocks
Fibek
"Strike to subdue! We need captives to question!"
As Kayosin opens the hut's door, he's surprised as the firework flies recklessly past his head. He scowls as he rushes the goblin who fired it, growling out what sounds like a series of curses in the goblin's own language.
He steps up to the goblin still holding the smoking firework tube and reaches out to subdue it.
Sumisu casts a quick spell hoping to take them off guard. Tanooki stares wide eyed at the proceedings, to stunned to really react as of yet.
Neither goblin is affected, though #1 does a few quick dance moves while singing something instead of picking up his weapon. It sounds like
Round 1:
Ikshvaku resummons his mind blade and takes a short step towards the action.
Braydon, who was waiting behind for signal, takes the sound of battle as a rather clear signal, and starts in at a run [most likely arriving to fight next round].
@Kayosin: Yes.
Round 1:
goblins
Sumisu: casts
Braydon: moves
Kayosin: grapples firework goblin
Vak: move & summon blade
Straehan: ?
Goldilocks: ?
Fibek: ?
The elf fires a single arrow at an unobstructed goblin
The cat chases and tries to hit a goblin from reach.
The result is not pretty.
The small sorcerer steps in towards his racial enemy - without feeling a frisson of hate - and smacks the gobbo (gently) upside the head.
MODS: none
HIT #1:
DAM: non-lethal