Flik can see the good in the bandit, even if it has been hidden by years of tarnish.
"Lullaby, I know that you aren't a monster. It must have been tough surviving out here for all these years. There are those that would help you though, and not just us!" Flik points at the clearing. "See how these creatures are hemmed in? I sense the hand of Desna at work. You have got your living on the road--albeit by plying a dangerous trade--so the Song of the Spheres could also be your patron! Perhaps it's time for you to turn over a new leaf. With your knowledge of the area, you could be a very capable guide, and not just for us."
”If your remorse is genuine, the Dawnflower welcomes you into Her grace.” Alustria embraces the other woman. ”Help us remedy what has happened, then find solace in Her light.”
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She is surprised to see such compassion and kindness in your words. You...you think there is a path for me here, still, in Churlwood? I can lead you to Mother, but I will not help you take down the woman who clothed me. She is dangerous, even more so now. I...I promise to do better. Let me do something with the bodies...bury them perhaps? What do I do...? How could I get so lost off my path!
"That is the way of evil. It seduces, it whispers, and it drags one's soul down the slow slope into its own ever-hungry maw, a ravenous beast that is never sated." Alustria shivers. "Tell us what you know, lead us to the one responsible so we can stop this evil. Then take these innocents into the Cove and have them interred, safely, properly. Turn yourself over to the Church of the Dawnflower there, and ask for mercy. They will give it."
Alustria smiles, gazing into Lullaby's face. "You are not so far down the dark road that the light of Sarenrae cannot reach you."
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Studying the medallion, Maddie figures out that this is a mind sentinel medallion. This item will also function as a holy symbol of Desna, as the design is of a butterfly wing, but singed on the sides.
Lullaby, relieved, helps answer all of your questions. She explains that the Bramblemouth goblins and the Roadkeepers have only recently become allies, after the discovery of the ruins they now inhabit. They both share a half of the citadel, each with their own distinct territory. They are still mining inside the caverns, looking for something...
Borgol says, "If your heart is true, then yes, I think there is a place for you here. The same skills that allow one to be a bandit, for example, make for an excellent hunter, or guard... and, from my own memories, it feels much better to raise bow or blade for a purpose than it does for someone else's profit... especially when you realize how little that other cares for you... though it sounds like you're not yet willing to admit that part to yourself."
He looks around, then says, "Making sure these are buried properly is a good first step down that path....as is leading us to the camp... and dodging the sentries and traps along the way... but can you tell us more about this 'truce'. Just wondering if it's fragile enough to attack -- I wouldn't mind having the goblins and Roadkeepers turn on each other and make our job -- two jobs, now, I guess -- that much easier."
"If our plan is to turn them against each other, my experience tells me that goblins are a bit more...volatile. Perhaps we should approach from that side and see if we can scout the situation."
Remy looks at the bodies of the fallen family. "We should take them back to the Lady's Chapel in the Cove before we move on the goblins and Roadkeepers. They need to be properly interred to ensure they do not rise again. After that, I say we go after the bandits first to ensure Nightthrush doesn't commit another atrocity like this one again."
Borgol says, "I believe Lullaby has pledged to do just that..."
”We will fight them all in good time, Remy,” says Alustria kindly, “But goading them to fight one another is probably safer for us. I agree with Flik.”
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The two goons, who were infected by the small undead children run off into the forest screaming. Ahhhh! They speak with the dead! Witches, necromancers! Ahhhhh! They seem to be too stupid to follow on with the conversation, and after a few moments are gone.
Lullaby straightens up and dusts of the grime from her. She looks over at the Brogan family. The two kids wander over to their father who welcomes them in an embrace. We...wait... as Mr Brogan stares at Lullaby with his dead eyes, no longer wanting her dead.
She shudders uncomfortably, a cold sweat hitting her brow showing that she still is very disturbed by all of this. She closes her eyes and inhales. It is settled then. Help me put these bodies oh a stretcher. I will take them back to Roderic's Cove when I return. I will show you where Mother is, but that is all. You promise not to tell her of my involvement?
Party Conditions.
Borgol (-5 lethal)
Maddie
Flik
Alustira
Remy (-6 lethal)
Fergus
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After a few movements of rest, Lullaby begins to lead you through Churlwood, and deeper into the forest. You notice that she is following a certain route, and she points out some markers that the Roadkeepers place onto trees to avoid getting lost. Signs, to us find our way back to Mother. Your travel is mostly uneventful, as your guide is very knowledgeable of how to avoid the more dangerous areas. After (3) three hours, you approach from a slightly off-the path patch of greenery into a smaller clearing. Thick blackberry vines grow from the ground here and sneak up the walls of a ridge. Among the thorny vines, curls of smoke waft up from a cave entrance. Darkness can be seen from within.
Your guide turns to you all and nods. This is where our paths diverge once more. I will do what I have promised. She turns to leave, and looks back one last time. You promise that they won't push me away? Roderic's Cove, I mean. They won't put me in a cage...? she has a disturbed look on her face.
Remy places a comforting hand on Lullaby's shoulder. "So long as you are honest about your mistakes and your desire to make up for them, they will treat you fairly. Travel safely, Lullaby. We will see you again soon."
Once the woman has departed, Remy rolls her neck and shakes out her arms to loosen her muscles. "Shall we?"
To Lullaby: "Remember to ask for the Dawnflower's Sanctuary. You will be safe there."
To Remy and Borgol: "T'would be folly to enter injured."
She extracts the wand and gives them a tap.
Remy nods her thanks as her wounds seal up, leaving her flawless skin unblemished once more.
Before they enter, Maddie uses two more charges from her wand to protect herself and Remy, wearing the amulet for now, "Okay. Let's go."
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After briefly healing up, and saying farewell to Lullaby, the party gets ready to head inside the Bramblemouth den.
The entrance to the Bramblemouth cave opens on the western slopes of the same low ridge in the Churlwood that the Stonehouse Ruins are located on. Lush and prickly blackberry vines creep across every surface and obscure the dark mouth of the cave if viewed from a long distance, but the stale smell of goblin sweat and the sight of smoke drifting up from the cave entrance makes locating the area all too easy.
As you wander on inside, you notice the many footprints of various smaller creatures going in and out of the cave. The ceiling of this cave is awkwardly low, barely more than four feet in height. A pair of walls two feet high made from piles of rocks and broken masonry divide this larger cave into smaller areas. Debris is scattered across the floor of the cave, though most of it has been swept against the damp walls. The clammy air inside the cave smells of animals, dung, sweat, and food in varying levels of spoilage.
As you turn the corner, you see at five goblins of various size sit around a camp fire. A leg of an undetermined animal is being spit-roasted over the top.
One of them, sniffs the air aggressively as you walk in and turns his head to see you all come in. He scrambles up and draws a weapon from those lying on the ground. In goblin, he spits at the group. "Кол салгандар! Кол салгандар! Биз чабуул коюлуп жатат! Аларды ал!"
The low ceiling of the cave entrance benefits the goblins and creatures of similar size. Medium or larger creatures must hunker down in this room (where the goblins are) and are treated as if squeezing. The low stone walls in this room and elsewhere are used by the goblins for cover. Any attempt to clamber over one of these walls requires a successful DC 10 Climb check—failing it by 5 or more indicates that the wall has toppled. In this case, that square becomes difficult terrain and the climber falls prone while taking damage.
The two goblins with the bigger blades jump up and draw their weapons. They both try to lob a dagger at the monk.
vs flatfooted?
vs flatfooted?
"Hhehehehe! Биз аны алды! as one of them looks happy with himself.
Round 1 - ♭ Music!
!Goblin Rogues (red, yellow)
@ Bogrol
@ Flik
@ Remy (-5 lethal)
@ Maddie
!Gobs (purple, green, blue)
Fergus
Alustria@ Borgol, Flik, Remy and Maddie may act!
"Ick! That's a nasty smell." Maddie comments as she ventures into the cave, looking around unimpeded by the low ceiling, and reacts in a snap to the goblins attacking, with a snap, and the weapon held by the the closer goblin suddenly superheats, threatening to seriously burn the goblin, "They like fire, right?" she asks.
Remy hunches over in a low draconic stance as she moves swiftly into the cave. As she reaches the first goblin, she jabs an elbow at his throat!
Flik will double-move into the caves, unimpeded by their low ceilings.
Borgol attempts to shoot at the goblin at the front, drawing his bow. "It's too tight in there, should we retreat to make more room or fight them in the tight spot? What if there's more further in?" he suggests.
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The goblin targeted by the little girls magic winces at the smell of it's flesh as the metal knife begins to burn it's skin. "Eeehhhhhaaa! it screams in pain as it drops the dagger.
The smaller goblins at the back, scravange around for some bows and shoot them at the party.
- at Borgol
- at Flik
The larger goblins spit in Remy's face, who manages to knock the wind out of the one in front. They retaliate.
- at Flik
- at Remy
- at Flik
Round 1 - ♭ Music!
@ Fergus
@ Alustria
!Goblin Rogues (red, yellow -7 lethal)
Round 2
@ Bogrol
@ Flik (-8 lethal)
@ Remy
@ Maddie
!Gobs (purple, green, blue)@ Everyone may act! I put goblins turns in between yours!
Borgol raises his bow again to fire at the lead goblin , saying, "We need to either draw them out or rush them -- standing here is the worst option."
for
Dodging the dagger strike, Remy responds with two powerful punches to the goblin's chest.
"Draw them out, then! The cave's too small for me to fight effectively!"
Maddie grins as the goblin drops his weapon, and in something that looks very strange, un-snaps, the magic she just used flowing back into her. Then, she hurls a sphere of telekinetic force at the closest goblin (if it's still standing), and joins Flik inside the cave to get a better shot.
"Ah, my arm! It's goblins, alright!"
Flik will begin performing and walk back out of line of sight.
Alustria takes a small step back, calling on her power to summon a creature...a giant centipede, right behind the goblins! Maybe That will get them out!
Fergus thinks the ceiling height is also just fine. He wades into the cave with his greataxe in his hand.
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The party presses forward, activating abilities and trying to dispatch the goblins. As the goblin engaged with Remy falls from her powerful blow, Borgol's arrow finds its target on the archers in the room. Maddie blows a big hole in the barricades diving the cave.
One of the remaining goblin rogues has a worried look on his eyes, and takes the opportunity to make a dash for it through the cave. You watch him jump up and over your heads and continue moving.
The smaller goblins at the back aim for Remy recognising her as a threat.
Naturalist: +1 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and saving throws
Round 2 - ♭ Music!@ Fergus
@ Alustria
!Goblin Rogues (red -2 lethal)
Round 3
@ Bogrol
@ Flik (-8 lethal)
@ Remy
@ Maddie
!Gobs (purple, green, blue)
@ Everyone may act! I put goblins turns in between yours!
Remy throws an elbow at the goblin as it runs past her. "Don't let it get away!" she shouts.
If that goblin hasn't fallen to her companion's opportunistic attacks, she follows it and attacks. Otherwise, she steps into the low cave and tries to knee the goblin in front of her in the face. Either way, her attack falls short.
The centipede appears behind one of the goblin archers and attempts to take a bite with its massive mandibles!
As the goblin tries to duck by, Alustria takes a swing!
Maddie ineffectually tries to grab at the goblin as it passes, but with no real combat training to speak of, aside from an occasional scuffle with other kids her age, and wrestling with dogs, has no hope of succeeding.
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As the goblin runs avoiding most of the damage, it manages to dash over Maddies head. She feels a foot hit her head as it jumped down and does a roll. It's screaming.
"Жардам! Жардам! Кол салгандар!"
As the goblin lands, an arrow pinches Maddie's ear. Remy, instinctively dodges out of the way as the arrow, seemingly being fired as a warning shot goes right into Fergus's shield. You see a single red eye glow from the cave in the far end of the cave. Echoes of more goblins and now barking can be heard from the cavern due south west. In broken common, you hear a raspy goblin voice. "That was a warning, shot. Leave now, intruders. I will not give you a second warning."
Round 3 - ♭ Music!
@ Fergus
Alustria
Centipede
@ Bogrol
@ Flik (-8 lethal)
Remy
@ Maddie
!Goblin Rogues (red -9 lethal,yellow)
!Gobs A (purple, green, blue)Not in initiative yet!
!Gobs B (blue, red, yellow, pink)
!Dogs (blue, yellow)
!Nigheye@ Fergus, Borgol, Flik and Maddie may still act this turn!
Why don't you surrender and we might let you live! Fergus answers.
Maddie yelps and puts her hand up to her ear to stop the bleeding, while also trying to rub her head from where the goblin jumped on her. As might be predicted, it didn't work very well, and she frowns and gives up altogether, but calls back to the goblin, "How about... we surrender? We have a shared enemy. Sorry, it's been stressful." she asks, "I'm Maddie! What's your name, mister goblin?" she asks eagerly.
"We never wanted to fight! We were just stopping by to say hello!"
"Your people shot first!" Alustria holds up her wand. "But if we come to terms, I can help with their injuries."
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You all see, even through the darker cave, as the single red eye shifts to focus it's attention onto Maddie. "Ahhh, you must be the smart one of the group. I am Nighteye, protector of the den. Tell me, small human, what enemy do you speak of. The only enemy before me are the intruders with their weapons drawn." You see from the light sources as they cast a reflection of the goblin raise his fist, clench and hold it in place. The howling from the dogs subsides, but the goblins keep their bows drawn on your party.
"You never wanted to fight, yet your weapons are drawn." He thinks for a moment then reacts to Alustira's comment. "You say we shot first, yet you killed one of our own first. Some guests you are."
The creature steps forward out of the shadow and into the light where you can see him a bit better. Clad in nice leather armor and weirding a well crafted bow - this goblin seems to be much better off than the rest of them. Lean and strong, you see the definition in his figure all the way up to his toothy grin. One of its eyes seems to be glossed over and disfigured, while the other penetrates the darkness with a red glow. It casts a spell and maintains it's bow aimed at the party. DC 15 Spellcraft.
"This is your last chance. What do you want, intruders. You don't want to make Chief angry, do you? Speak, did the cat catch your tongue?
Borgol lowers his bow and places it back over his shoulder, raising his empty hands, "There.. Now I have no weapon drawn. And she speaks true, your friends drew steel and threw knives before any of us touched a weapon... really, just as we realized there was anyone in the cave. I swear by my oaths to Old Deadeye."
Flik sheaths his weapon.
"Sorry about the damage we caused! These hasty actions are what leads to misunderstanding between the tall folks and goblins, I think. WE did come here to talk to you about your home--and about intruders coming into it."
Maddie raises her hands, which have magic swirling around them, and very obviously lets it fade.
"Okay Mister Chief. I'm sorry, we didn't think, just acted."
Remy crosses her arms over her chest and leans against the wall. "You have my apologies as well," she says, somewhat sincerely. "To be fair, I don't think your friend is dead, merely unconscious."
Hands held high, Alustria will move over to the injured goblin and, if he is still alive, use the wand on him.
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Maddie is able to discern the spell as a Gravity Bow.
The goblins first reaction to the curative magic of Alustria is of disgust, and one of them tries to fire their bit at you. When the warm light washes over the cavern, they relax a little as they see their allies wounds heal.
Nighteye watches your reactions closely, and grins. His now still promptly pointed at the party, he urges, "You're an interesting lot. Chief don't like humans in den. If you truly mean what you say, leave now. Too many years and eyes here. I will find you when the moon is highest."
Flik bustles out of the cave. Once outside, he'll say, "Could I get a little help with this arrow? That could have gone better!"
Alustria will use another charge on the wand.
"Ah, much better. Thank you, Alustria!"
Remy exits the cave with the others. "Let's fall back for now. If the goblin is true to her word, she will meet with us later tonight."