Camil looks over at Isabella, I'm sure for you too. This isn't the time or place, but this seems like something to talk about when we're all safe and home. he tries to be reassuring, but with the mutagen coursing through his body, he's not sure at all...
The 'L' shaped room stands silent other than the breathing of the team as they decide whether they will go through the southern door or inspect the column of "gold coins".
Forest makes his way back to where the goblins were discussing the longshanks. He finds a room with a large table surrounded by chairs. A slate board to the north is covered with scribblings in chalk, but the map of Sandpoint that has been carefully inscribed on it leaves no doubt as to the purpose of this room—this is doubtless where the recent raid was planned. A door to the east stands open showing a staircase leading up yet again. To the west, Forest can see through the room to a section of wall that stands ajar revealing a staircase that leads down. (map updated)
”Hmm. Fine handiwork. I didn’t know goblins could draw,” Forest muses as he examines the chalkboard. He readjust his grip on his shield and makes for the downward stairs. ”Deeper into the belly of the beast.”
Runt is more concerned with the goblin she has in tow than where they are going. She is just waiting for an excuse to put it in it's place. Basically she follows along meekly as the navigate the corridors and rooms.
"We can't afford for the two women to come too when we aren't watching. Let's tie the up and bring them along. We can start with the room Zandril found," Lavanor says moving back into the other room.
Once in the room with Zandril, he inspects the column. What is that?
[dice=Perception]1d20+8
Lavanor inspects the column. It does not appear to be connected to the wall on the front side but otherwise it appears to just be an eccentric wall piece.
Camil will cross to the southern doors in the L-shaped room and inspect them for traps before opening them
Here goes nothing...
Forest makes his way down the steps. From the landing at the bottom, they open onto a room. Two pillars support the ceiling in here. In many places the stone walls, floor, and ceiling are caked with ancient grime and soot. Alcoves in the north and south wall contain partially damaged statues of a man in robes clutching a book and a glaive. The entire room is canted toward the west, and whatever ancient upheaval caused the complex to tilt knocked the statues from their bases so that now they lean against the southern walls of their alcoves.
Camil finds no traps and opens the door. Four pillars support the domed ceiling of this room. Several alcoves containing standing sarcophaguses grace the walls, and a statue of a stern man wielding a glaive and holding a book stands at the far end of the chamber.
Camil will wander through the room, inspecting the statue at the far end. So we're looking for an escape route, correct? I'm not sure this is the way out, but it is interesting!
Camil finds nothing of particular interest with the statue though it is still in good shape.
Returning to the party, Well, that was a bust. No way out in there, not even anything interesting... I guess we go back the way we came? Lavanor, hear anything behind us? the gambler shrugs at his companions.
Lavanor walks into the last room and looks around. "Anyone know who that might be?" he asks pointing to the statue of the man. He then searches the west wall between the 2 alcoves. "I wonder why there isn't an alcove here."
Lavanor's curiosity is not assuaged as he finds nothing out of the ordinary with the western wall.
The statue is of Runelord Karzoug
As Lavanor turns back to join the others he sees three 'shadows' drift through the far wall.
Round 1
Lavanor
Shadows
Round 2
Lavanor
Runt
Forest
Isabella
Shadows
Camil
Zherxikas
Zandril
Camil looks at Lavanor examining the wall, Oh that guy? He's the Runelord Karzoug. Saw a picture of him in a very old book once, recognized him instantly. I don't really know much else about Runelords, other than that they existed a long time ago. Funny place for a statue of him now that you mention it. I guess this dungeon is REALLY old...
Ick. Stinking shadows like to hide in walls and we have plenty of them. Why are they not feasting on goblins? Wait, Runt has one right there!
Lavanor listens to what Camil knows about the Runelord. "Is that who the women were trying to free? I wonder if he's in here somewhere," he says as he turns around and sees the shadows.
"We have company! Some things just floated through the wall. That can't be good. I guess that's what Lyrie was talking about when she said it was haunted," he says as he moves back towards the group.
"Anyone know what these things are? Hopefully they won't follow if we move out of the area," he says, glancing over his shoulder at the creatures to see if they are following him.
Once Lavanor exits the doorway the shadows sink down into the floor.
"Whew. Not sure what those were but they apparently don't like us in there. Doesn't look like an exit anyway and we're not in a position to investigate further so let's head back upstairs, " he says, relieved they didn't have to fight the shadows.
Runt is not nearly as confident as the others that the creatures left. If they can sink DOWN into the floor, they can float back UP. Runt positions the goblin underneath herself and stands over it while keeping a sharp eye out for the things return.
Isabella looks worried. She knows just enough about the undead to know that shadows are serious business, and to know that she has no way to hurt them.
Unable to move forward the team moves back toward the stairwell ready to battle goblins if need be. As they exit the hall of statues back where the original battle with the goblins took place they see a knight from Sandpoint coming from the stairwell.
Forest steps around the pillar in the room he entered and sees the team from Sandpoint coming through a door on the other side of the room.
Huh? Forrest? What are you doing here? Camil asks the man, recognizing him from Sandpoint. Camil keeps an arrow knocked in his bow however, but not pointing it at the man.
”Oh good. People who aren’t green. You have no idea how many goblins live here.” Forest says as the sort-of-strangers come in to view, voice muffled by his plate helmet. In answer to the one person’s question (Forest never forgets a face, but he’s not so good with names), Forest shrugs. ”Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to rescue you. I brought a boat and everything. It’s... on the ocean floor, along with three good men...” He trails off, but doubt and sadness had no place on the battlefield. Leaning to the side to look past the lead person, he spies an absolutely packed hallway behind the man - Chamomile or something was his name. ”Uhh, how many of you are there?”
Camil looks over his shoulder at the others, Well, looks like we're rescued? We found a way out! Well, I mean Forest did... So what now??
Looking back to the armored man, We're six, and have three prisoners... he grimaces at the newcomer.
"Whoaaa. We are not leaving yet. We have a nest of goblins to clear first. So, uh, Forest, huh? The more the merrier, I guess. It pays to have numbers when dealing with gobs. Though I am a bit surprised you didn't run into anyone... antagonistic on the way down."
"Ah, so there is an exit somewhere down here? I don't suppose you came across anything that could be used as a cell to keep our prisoners in while we finish," Lavanor asks
”Yes, the nursery upstairs has many cages.” Forest says. ”Did you accomplish...whatever it was you came to do? Also, did you find the goblin chief? Heard some gobbos yammering on about needing to tell their chief.”
Camil shakes his head in the negative, No, the goblin chief still lives, but we've removed his other supporters here, he jerks his thumb over his shoulder at the prisoners.
Isabella, Lavanor, what do you think, would shutting them in cells work for our purposes, and even if we did that, could we handle the goblins above with Forest's help?
"It might. It would depend on if we can keep the goblins nearby from freeing them. As far as being able to handle the king, we can try but it may be difficult if we have limited healing left. That is why I thought it was important to have an escape. I think we need to decide if it's more important to take out the king or return with our prisoners. If thing go badly against the king, we may end up having to leave without accomplishing either."
"We'd also have to make sure they have no magic that can unlock or open the door," says Isabella.
"Prisoners is not particularly helpful with these types, if you are thinking of gaining leverage. They would just think it funny and go on their business. I think it safest to take them along"
And use them as shields if necessary. Or knock them out if trouble starts.
"I say we hit them now and hard."
Lyrie and Nualia are currently unconscious. The goblin and Orik are awake.
”I agree with that one.” Forest says, pointing his sword at Runt. ”They will be ready for future attacks from Sandpoint and this is a fortress. Leaving now would mean never gaining a foothold hear again... or until they have a change of management. Probably happens pretty often with goblins.”
Camil thinks a moment, Well it sort of seems we should go after the goblin king, and then scamper away unless the goblins break if we cut off the head of the snake? He looks in his belt, I've got one healing potion left, and I can stick someone to the ground, and I've got a couple alchemical tools we can use. Should we all have a say on if we attempt this or not?
"I have spent all my most potent magical energies for today, but still if we must take the goblin king, then I'm in"
Showing a rare display of self confidence, Runt burst out,
"Hopefully we have taken out the most dangerous ones. Come on! We can do it!"
”There were many goblins in the level above. There is at least one more level above that one, I assume the king or whatever is in the highest level of the fortress. Makes sense right? But if any of your prisoners call for help, they’ll be on to us. Course, they’re already on to us so I guess it doesn’t matter.” Forest says. ”I found a room with locked up goblin children up the stairs, maybe we could take your prisoners there?”
"I can carry one of the women," Orik offers. "Tie me to her or something. That will free you up for your epic battle with the king. To that end, we each have a key our rooms. You could lock us in there. Unless you do some serious modification there is no way we will fit in a goblin whelp box."
Orik talks as the group slowly makes it way back up to the map room. From there they have access to the stairs from which the team descended and Forest notes through which he entered.
A goblin, likely hearing the group enter, steps down from the top of the stairs until he can be seen, "Hellooo!" he calls in a very accented Varisian, "The chief says you can leave now. Have nice day."
”The little gobbo makes a strong argument for us leaving.” Forest says, allowing the others -it was their mission after all- to decide if they want to pursue the big bad or not.
The bloodthirsty Runt is having none of it.
"We came here to kill goblins. Now let's get on with it."
Wait, why are they letting us leave? Camil asks the others, before yelling to the goblin, Why should we just leave? Your king is threatening our homes! before looking at the others with his hands up in an expression of I don't know what I'm doing here...
"I don't feel comfortable allowing a goblin to dictate the terms of our engagement. Especially after said goblin was complicit in the attack on Sandpoint during the festival," says Isabella flatly.
Then, very slowly and grudgingly, she says, "... but I am biased."
"You have angry lady who wanted to burn down town. You take her, have nice day." The goblin says, obviously not comfortable with trying to explain their reasoning.
"So basically goblin is trying to say that they were pawn in someone else's scheme" he muses and shrugs. "I would say we have achieved what we came to do, useless slaughter would achieve little."
Runt grinds her teeth at the thought of letting the gobs live to rampage another day.
"But they're goblins! They are lying sneaky, treacherous, and... and... and MEAN!"
”If we have the upper hand, this could be a good time to enter into negotiations with the goblins.” Forest suggests.
Runt is starting to get a bit frantic. Jabbing her finger at the captive goblin she comes close to yelling.
"NEGOTIATE! Are you MAD. They are goblins. You don't negotiate with goblins. They lie. They LIKE lying."
Looking around at the others as if looking for a voice of sanity she adds in a querulous voice, "Please don't tell me you intend to go further with this madness?!"
"Mayhaps, but then again... judge them by what they do from hence forth." he shrugs