Zordox will use Arcana to impress people with magic.
"My pals and I love to stay things and watch 'em burn!" Fumbus says to one of the guests as he clears a platter of fried crestaceons with a single swoop. "On a not necessarily related note, you wouldn't mind telling me what you know about someone named Ngasi, would you?"
"Errr, vould you like to see my trained bear? Trofimir, let's do some tricks. Guard the hors d'oeuvres!"
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Thorax is so happy at the sights and sounds of everything, he bursts into song!
"Eating! Dancing! Singing! Drinking!
Have great fun! No need for thinking!
Goblins! Longshanks! Together as one!
When you're stuffed, *I* won't be done!!"
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Trofimir isn't sure what "horse dovers" are, but he assumes a defensive posture in front of one of the buffet tables and bares his teeth at the crowd of partygoers.
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Monsieur Daguerre is simple and to the point, getting results: Whatever is inside the full-body leather suit (introduced as Master Phade) mentions it saw Ngasi slipping out to the garden. "She would not run," it hums. "Most likely she awaits whatever comes to her there." As it politely excuses itself, a minuscule gap in the armor reveals...nothing. An invisible stalker?
Zordox's display of traditional magic earns him the respect of a dwarven woman in Nethysian garb, named Greora. "I condone most use of magic, but its users must be prepared. To face the consequences of its expression. As this rule-breaking Arclord must. I will thusly share what is helpful." She then fails in this, as all she knows is the name and purpose of Collected Directives.
Thorax's song draws several oreads closer, bombarding him with requests to perform abroad or under contract. Having not seen him before, they regale the goblin with news of the latest drama - namely, the murderous Arclord. The only new information they bring is that she has openly bragged about obtaining the book, and is quite brash, even going so far as to enter melee combat.
Fumbus is not sufficiently subtle in his threats, and those around him edge away. And while most are somewhat impressed by Arkrandu and Trofimir, they were looking forward to trying the pesh-infused snacks. Recently legalized outside of Katapesh, you know.
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Thorax grins at the Oreads.
"Goblin rule number one: First we sing. Then we kill. Maybe contract later. Have to go number two right now."
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The crowds clear for the Pathfinders, clearly aware of what is about to happen. It is the only thing discussed for some time, at least until the annual dance competition draws near.
But back to the team, their route takes them through a stately passage. The polished marble floor of this fifteen-foot-wide hallway shines almost like a mirror. Artful mosaics of Garundi landmarks line the southern wall, while marble statues of soldiers wearing distinctive splint mail stand proudly in alcoves along the northern wall. The faint scent of clematis and sound of trickling water drifts in through carved stone latticework and a wide, open archway set in the center of the northern wall.
There is little time to admire the display, though. And that little dwindles to nothing at all when four of the statues step from their alcoves, raising stone fists! For whatever reason, they are primed to attack!
Thorax dramatically points at each of the statues while breaking into song!
"Bitey, Slimy, Grimy, Mo,
Some of the Goblins I used to know,
One by one they all fell down,
And so will YOU smash to the ground!"
Zordox will cast Magic Missile at the Blue target using 3 actions to amp up the spell so that 3 missiles are produced.
"Aha! I know vhat to do to care care of you!"
Arkandru grabs his greatsword and begins applying the weapon blanch to it.
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Thorax's words have no effect on the statues, but his blade makes quite an impact on one. Zordox pelts another with small yet unerring bolts of force. Both strike true, but the constructs' outer layer absorbs some punishment.
Still, the goblin's victim looks to be on the verge of collapse. It appears a bit weaker than the others, courtesy of a guest's vandalism. Its marble exterior is already broken in places and the words 'Envar was here' are scrawled across the back.
Fumbus retrieves his two remaining vials of alchemist's fire.
The goblin then tosses them at the nearest statue
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Fumbus's explosives scorch his target, tearing up and melting through its outer layer. Understandably slow to act, the statues begin shuffling forward and throwing punches. On the off chance they manage to connect, they latch on with an iron grip.
You’re held in place by another creature, making you immobile and flat-footed. If you attempt a manipulate action, activity, free action, or reaction while grabbed, you must succeed at a DC 5 flat check or it is lost; attempt the check after using it but before any effects are applied.
Thorax ducks and dodges the cumbersome golem easily.
"Thorax be nimble!
Thorax be quick!
You can't catch me!
You may as well quit!"
Zordox will attempt Athletics to escape the Grab of the thing.
Zordox moves to where he is on the map if he escapes the Grab. He can't cast anything with 2 actions, so he casts Shield once he reaches where he is.
As he finishes applying the weapon blanch to his weapon, the statue painted green grabs Arkandru around the torso. The ranger grunts, then bellows a challenge at the golem.
"Pitiful mockery of life, you think you haf me, but I haf you right vhere I want you!" Heedless of his precarious position, Arkandru swings his greatsword at the statue like a club.
"Trofimir! Flank and attack!"
The little bear runs around the green statue and harries it to distract it from his master.
Disappointed that he is now out of alchemist's fire, Fumbus draws his magical dogslicer and begins to slice at the foe before him/
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One swing from Thorax is blocked, but the other hits home. Having sustained too much structural damage, the statue collapses. Arkrandu tears through the one holding him with ease once, twice! It is left on the brink of collapse, and Trofimir yanks it to the ground with his teeth. It doesn't look able to get back up.
Monsieur Daguerre empowers all the Pathfinders and helps Zordox escape from his bind, while Fumbus chips away at the golem menacing him. Though their numbers dwindle, the enemies remain unflinching in their assault. Arkrandu takes another punch, but the statue will likely regret grabbing him.
Fumbus continues to whittle with glee at the statue before him.
Zordox moves over five feet and casts Lightning Bolt at the two remaining foes.
DC is 19
"Oof! These golems are getting on my nerfs!"
Grappled again, Arkandru swings at the blue statue rather than attempt to break free.
"Trofimir! Flank again!"
Once again, the little bear leaps to Arkandru's aid. He runs over to the blue statue and takes an angry bite.
"Stand a little closer, please, Zordox. Ve should be as strong as ve can be before ve catch up to our quarry."
"Stand a little closer, please, Zordox. Ve should be as strong as ve can be before ve catch up to our quarry."
Zordox bows to Arkandru and says, "I zank zou for ze healing. I fear zou are quite correct as zat we need to be quite strong for what lies ahead. Zese enemies have been a bit out of ze ordinary. Who knows what we shall face next?"
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Faint magical light from elaborate wrought-iron sconces along the walls casts this pristine garden in a gentle light. Water splashes playfully down from a channel atop the sandstone walls into elegant fountains, and the garden’s entire northern wall shimmers as water cascades smoothly over its surface into a wide basin. Fragrant flowering vines climb the sandstone walls, while immaculately manicured hedges line the main walkways of crushed marble. A ten-foot-tall statue of the archmage Nex stands proudly in the center of the garden, flanked by marble benches and encircled by a different type of flowering vine. Tall palms and pruned olive trees stand in symmetrical pairs throughout the space.
At the middle of the hedge stands none other than Ngasi Bakolo. She wears immaculate green robes and carries a staff. Next to her is a lowly-looking apprentice, who shakes as if he would rather be anywhere else. "I'm glad you made it so far, Pathfinders, despite the risk to me. I hope you're enjoying the party. Unfortunately, you came here with outdated principles, lofty and unrealistic moral standards that do not apply alongside the teachings of Nex." A spectral third eye flares to life on her forehead, and the Arclord grins. "I have time to teach you a lesson."
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"you came here with outdated principles, lofty and unrealistic moral standards that do not apply alongside the teachings of Nex."
"Who you talking to?
Certainly not us!
We be Goblins!
Light her ablaze, Fumbus!"
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At the urging of his kinsman, Fumbus mixes a batch of infused reagents, producing a vial of lesser alchemist's fire.
"You Be Student. You wish you learn?"
"We Be Goblins! We wish you burn!"
By the glow of the resulting flames, the goblin whips up a second batch.
Zordox moves over next to Arkandru and casts Haste upon him.
"Thank you, Zordox!" Arkandru lumbers forward, the big man moving with magically-enhanced speed and grace. He makes it to the base of the statue of Nex, and takes some cover there.
"Give up now, mage!"
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Monsieur Daguerre plods forward while empowering his allies, while Arkrandu moves in much faster thanks to such lent power.
Ngasi respectfully declines Arkrandu's offer, stepping behind her apprentice and casting at least one spell on herself. The human shield quakes violently, but he draws a sickle and points at the big man. "S-stay back!" A ball of white-hot flame appears right in front of him, whirring around the fountain and over flesh.
17+: None!
8-17:
7-: 28
Meanwhile, the two statues don't appear to have heard the fate of their fellow masonry. One closes on the Pathfinders' back line, the other moves to protect its wards.
Thorax sprints forward, ducks under Arkrandu's legs, and ends up on the other side of the golem .
"Hey silly lady,
Don't you forget,
We're coming for you,
But first this statue we get."
Zordox smiles and tells Trofimir to move where the goblins are and to help Arkrandu.
He then moves and casts Grease once Trofimir moves.
The spell is cast in the squares where I drew the red box.
"Let ze statue enter ze slicky area and zen annihilate eet."
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Arkandru calls out to his companion: "Trofimir! To me!"
The big ranger grins at the statue. "Vat? No hug?"
He swings his adamantine-coated greatsword at the statue, taking advantage of Zordox's haste.
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The little bear sees the elf smile and looks at him quizzically as he says,
BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH Arkrandu.
Trofimir starts to scratch behind one ear, but then he hears Arkandru’s call. He runs down the path just ahead of Zordox’s grease spell.
Seeing the burst of flame, Fumbus' eyes grow wide with joy. The goblin quickly draws his magical dogslicer and moves around the fountain toward the source of the flames.
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Monsieur Daguerre strides confidently forward and works his magic. Ngasi and the Pathfinders recognize the movements, and the former is dismayed as Thorax finds himself quicker.
The Arclord seems less perturbed by the goblin's threat, though. "Then let us do away with the middleman - and you," she says, and brings down a massive blast of fire on the garden. Her aggressors in the middle are caught in the blaze, as is her statue. Already weak from two good hits, it is blown to bits.
31+: None
21-30: 19
12-20:
11-: 78
The apprentice directs his much-smaller conflagration to keep harrying Arkrandu, and fires a bolt of force at the goblins on each side of the fountain. The remaining statue finally circles around and swings a hand at Zordox, but the elf was far ahead of it.
8-16:
7-: 26