Khrondak approaches Notick as they leave the building. "Who is your uncle, Notick?"
Notick grinds his teeth slightly, his jaw muscles tightening and contracting as he pauses before answering. "A very nasty, sick, and evil man. The lowest of the low - scum of this world." He does his best to keep his voice down, but he utterly abhorred his uncle. His emotions portraying his loathing and anger towards the man.
His features turn stone-like. He nods to Khrondak and Midori. "I apologize you had to meet him..." After a brief pause, he nods his head towards the road, "Shall we meet up with the others?!" His features soften as he asks.
Scoria was quiet for a bit after her rather long story - obviously she'd either confused Bel'Tanis or more likely offended him by offering her advice. She looked away, wondering if she'd possibly made a mistake here. Her social skills certainly needed polishing if she was to actually make herself understood. Perhaps she would inquire with Midori or Notick about that - they seemed to have a better and easygoing nature to them that drew others in.
"...We should...probably go and meet with the others now." She stated, a bit reluctantly as she stood up, ready to get going.
Midori has recognized Notick's uncle's -attitude- from a few of her father's 'friends'. "Sczarni?" Though her comment isn't quite the question it sounds.
Notick winces, almost as if the words had physically stung him. He nods slowly, an obvious look of distaste upon his face. He responds with shame and a nod, "Yes..."
"Nothing more guaranteed to wreck family life than that, um, self-help group. Sorry we had to put you through that. My father...dealt with them occasionally. Thought they'd help him get rich. He always had such big schemes."
Midori is feeling more sympathetic to Notick now.
Khrondak is puzzled by Notick and Midori's conversation. "What is this 'Sczarni'?"
Bel'Tanis sighs, not entirely sure how to react to Scoria opening up so much or her apparent inability to understand him. He sits in awkward silence for several long moments, massaging the center of his left palm with his right thumb. He thinks over what she said yet finds no practical way to actually do as she suggested. When she at last recommends they depart to find the others, he nods, smiling warmly at her.
"That sounds like a good idea. At the very least, I- we can still help the people of Sandpoint." As they procede to meet up with the rest of the group, he inquires, "So do you think we'll need to fight this Malfeshnekor? Do you think it's some kind of demon?"
Notick sighs heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose as they walk through the town's streets to meet up with their allies. 'I'm not going to get out of explaining this one...' he thinks to himself.
He ensures to speak in a lower voice, making it difficult for any passerby's to hear his explination. "The Sczarni are a crime family... They're thieves, bandits, smugglers, you name it... If it has something bad about it, they're probably involved. They're mostly Varisian... But Uncle is this city's Sczarni representative..."
You arrive back to the Rusty Dragon Inn after in the late afternoon. Ameiko and her staff are busy prepping for the evening's supper. The taproom is fairly quiet with on a few stranglers from the lunch crowd drinking their afternoon away.
Khrondak places his hand over Notick's shoulder, staring straight into his eyes. "Notick, from the exchange I saw between you and your uncle, and considering your actions while working with us, it is clear to me that you are no criminal and do not belong with the Sczarni. Yet, it looks like your uncle holds some power over you. I tell you this: should you ever need any help to break free from this invisible chains, you can summon me to help you fight these infamous criminals."
As the groups meets back at the Rusty Dragon, he asks "Now that we have our gold, is there anyone who can sell us the necessary equipment? Thaddeus, you might know of such a tradesman."
Thaddeus first responds to Bel'Tanis' question, "Well, from what you have told us of Father Zantus' assessment of the matter, it may be safe to presume that this Malfeshnekor is a demon. I am not quite certain what would aid us in battling such a creature beyond holy might and righteousness of purpose."
Turning to respond to Khrondak, he adds "As for where we may find whatever accessories we may be in need of to face the threat of Thistletop, I would imagine that the answer may vary. We will need to possibly purchase weapons from the smithy, general goods like rations or rope from Ven Vinder, or possibly curatives from another place altogether. In addition to these needs, I would address a request made by Scoria." He indicates the stonemason, "She has suggested that we be better prepared to face enemies that are able to avoid us using the advantage of either flight or distance. I have mentioned that due to the way many of us fight, possessing weapons that use ammunition may not be an option, but she is correct in that it could only help some of us to at least bear weapons that can be easily thrown. I myself keep javelins for just such a purpose that they require but one hand, and once thrown do not hinder my method of combat."
Bel'Tanis looks down and away from everyone at the mention of Ven Vinder, still obviously embarrassed by what transpired with the man's amorous daughter.
Scoria was still moderately tormenting herself at the misunderstanding she'd had with Bel'Tanis - she didn't notice that the sergeant had addressed her for a few moments, before snapping to attention, a tiny jerk before she settled herself into her usual stoic front. "Yes, sir. You may wish for something with more range if necessary." She'd procure herself a crossbow as well - shuriken were well and good at short distances, but should they need to engage from afar something like that would be preferable.
Day 5: 26th Rova
The morning begins with a chill in the air, autumn is slowly arriving to the Varisian coast. You make your finial preparations and have breakfast at the Rusty Dragon. Saying your goodbyes you head to Thistletop.
The journey is uneventful and a few hours later your reach your destination. The ominous tangles of thickets looms on in the distance.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Scoria looks at the thickets, thinking on what to expect once they went in. Goblins, most certainly. The bugbear, and those mercenaries. And Nualia herself. Six of them would go in - it wasn't a sure thing that all of them would come out.
She debated whether or not to quaff her potion of Mage Armor right now - no, better to wait until their first combat. It would only last for an hour, after all, so she needed to maximize its effect to the fullest. She glanced at the others, probably all making their own preparations and checking their equipment.
Her hand rested on the pommel of the temple sword she'd acquired - a silvered weapon to combat any possible demons that the fallen aasimar may have at her side. Perhaps she should have invested in some silvered shuriken as well, but hopefully her allies would make up for any gaps in her preparations.
"Sergeant, with your permission, I will take point," She informed Thaddeus, ready to be the vanguard of their assault. It had served them well under the Glassworks, and she believed it would do as such here.
Thaddeus acknowledges the sense in Scoria leading again like they did under the Glassworks. In fact he's sure the order they kept down there would work just as well in the harsh thicket. Before they enter he draws his blade, asking Iomedae to allow the light of her glory to guide their steps, as it begins to glow bright like a torch.
The half elf nods with Scoria's offer, agreeing with it but still awaiting Thaddeus's answer. He'll fall into his role of the grouping as the press forward. He keeps his talking to a minimum. Being just outside of the enemy's potential hovel, he doesn't want to alert anyone - or thing - to their arrival.
"I'm much more used to fighting in the open spaces of the Cinderlands. Thus, I defer to your tactical judgment", Khrondak says nodding to Scoria and Thaddeus. He draws his earthbreaker and, holding it with a firm grip, positions himself to enter the goblin lair following Bel'Tanis.
Bel'Tanis nods firmly, a faint glow dancing in the depths of his eyes. "Let's put an end to this before any other innocents are hurt." He then waits until Scoria has a sufficient lead, then follows into the thicket, his shield and sword at the ready.
Scoria takes the lead, crouching low and staying as silent as possible, keeping alert for any enemies or traps up ahead. The group is counting on her to spot trouble, after all.
Midori nods, falling in behind Notick as the group enters the thicket.
In succession with Khrondak, Notick will also draw his exotic blade from it's sheath, nodding to the man slightly in affirmation of his idea and to Bel'Tanis's exclamation.
"Lets get some answers..."
Scoria you try to stay as stealthy (and stopping over) as possible navigating the tight cramped corridor. You are constantly scratched by the thorns that make up the walls and ceiling.
35 feet into the tunnel (to the right) it opens into a larger chamber that three tunnels open into. Above the thorny canopy grows thin enough that tiny slivers of light of the sky above can be seen, while below, the ground consists of trampled dirt. To the west, the distant sound of sloshing waves echoes up from the hole.
The monk is as quiet as she can be, though she realizes how much of a disadvantage they would all be in these cramped quarters if they ended up in a fight - at least they opened up into higher chambers like this one. She could hear the water coming from the hole - who knew how deep it went, but she was not about to find out. Seeing at there were no others around here, she waited a moment for the others to come through.
"We should proceed," She informs Thaddeus, before scouting out ahead once, through the tunnel that's decidedly the furthest away from the hole in the ground, keeping to her father's creed of navigating mazes: always follow the wall, and you are ensured to not get lost.
Looking down the hole you see about 80' down ends in some sort of sea cave filled with water.
The monk peers down the hole cautiously, very aware of the sloshing of water underneath. The last thing she wants is to accidentally fall down into that hole. "...North," She gestures, scouting ahead again as she steps around the pit.
Bel'Tanis nods affirmatively toward Scoria as she sets off to the north.
Walking behind Bel'Tanis, Khrondak observes the ground beneath their feet, looking for signs of recent goblin activity or any tracks that might help them navigate the goblin lair.
After a quick glance down the hole, Midori continues to follow the rest of the group, as silently as possible.
Scoria you turn to your left still staying as silently as possible. In the distance you see the tunnel open into a large smokey chamber with 10 goblins huddled around a small fire. They do not seem to notice you.
Scoria halted, counted the number of goblins, before slipping back and meeting the others. "Ten goblins ahead. They did not notice me and are unaware of our presence." She informs Thaddeus and the others in a quiet whisper. "The tunnel is difficult to move through - we would be at a disadvantage doing so and discovered swiftly."
The monk brings up her light crossbow, pulling back the string and loading in a bolt. "I suggest first firing upon them from a distance through the tunnel and take them by surprise. We will whittle their numbers down to a more manageable size and draw them through to us. Do you think this plan suitable?" She asks the sergeant, aiming down the iron sights of the weapon in hand, ready to proceed at his word.
Thaddeus nods at the assessment, looking around at the opening an the area they stand in. "I suggest only you be the one to strike one from a distance and return, as they follow we hold the space just outside their quarters. They will be limited at the number they can bring to bear on us, but we can all be able to get at them."
Scoria, you sneak back to the chamber with the goblins, the do not appear to notice you.
The monk was not entirely sold on this course herself. For the first part, she and everyone else would have difficulty moving through the small corridors through the thickets with anything like speed. Sneaking directly into the same chamber as the goblins, while feasible, left her capacity to escape compromised before they came at her. The second was that she felt it was wasted taking them by surprise only by herself - several shots at once could take out three or four of them at the same time, preferably by firing through the short tunnel. Her third concern was that leaving so many alive at once would allow them to try a flanking maneuver - this place was their home after all, and they might have other tunnels.
She buried those concerns, not wanting to call the sergeant out in front of his men and discredit him, slinking in through the tunnel and into the room where the goblins were huddled. She pointed the crossbow at the nearest one, aimed right at their head, and pulled the trigger.
Thaddeus tries to organize the others as Scoria sneaks up to fire from around the corner of their 'doorway'. Ideally placing the heavy hitters, Bel'Tanis and Khrondak, at the foremost, and Midori furthest back. He and Notick have enough tricks and options that they have the versatile middle ground. He will try to be more forward than Notick though, since the man now has the bow.
Holding the earth-breaker with a tight grip, Khrondak lowers his head and invokes Gorum’s powers.
Scoria you break from cover to get your shot on one of the goblins in the back of the chamber. Your bolt files true striking one of the goblins.
Thaddeus
Bel'Tanis
Khrondak
Notick
Midori
Scoria
Goblin
The Goblins react rather quickly to Scoria's attack. They stand and howl unanimously, then like a wave they rush towards Scoria.
Scoria backed up, tossing her crossbow behind her and grabbing the potion of Mage Armor from her pouch, quaffing it swiftly as she got herself ready for the oncoming horde. It felt strange, like the air itself surrounding her gained solidity to it - at least she knew the potion had not been a fake in that regard.
Still, she hadn't expected the goblins to react so swiftly - at least with the thickets at her back and side, she could fight without watching her flank, and pincer any who tried to move between her and the Shoanti. "They come in force," She reported with an air of calm, setting herself into a solid stance.
Surprised by their efficacious leap into battle, Thaddeus moves to do what he can to block the advance. He moves into the open, now that he doesn't have the risk of his non-subtle self being seen causing the plan to go awry, and whispers a quick prayer to Iomedae, "Allow the simple minds of these creatures to be dulled by the use of your guidance in planning."
Her eyes glance back briefly to Thaddeus as he invokes his prayer. Why the sergeant wore only a chain shirt when his agility was in her opinion 'negligible', she could only wonder, bracing for the tide of goblin bodies about to crash upon her like the waves on a cliff.
The half-elf rotates just next to Thaddeus, pulling the composite shortbow from his back and knocking an arrow, letting it fly towards the first goblin he see's.