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"Are we really planning to help reestablish a tribe of goblins? I suppose fewer enemies between us and this power who is organizing them is a good thing, but it still rankles."
Waving everyone to gather around, Dol channels healing energy.
"I suppose we should get to that bridge finally. Even if our approach is already detected."
Aventail shrugs, and with military precision shoulders the crossbow, still gripping it tight should she need to aim quickly. She nods to Dol.
”Yes. Let us move on.”
Well...I guess they can't be all bad, right Dol? He picks up two crunchy leaves, one in each hand. [b]Goblins. He raises one hand. Forgiveness, redemption? He raises the other, then smashes them together. Crushed leaves sprinkle out, and he looks down. Oh...maybe not.
Well, for the bridge...definitely. That's the only way I can reckon to get to this Bruthazmus fellow, and to get some answers. I'm not thrilled about running over an open bridge with enemies all about, but...well, we have a Toot. He pats the pig's rump, and Toot snorts.
"Our people have fought the goblins for generations, and we have long generations. But these goblins only raided when driven to by a human. Perhaps..." He trials off not sure how to continue.
"I hope I made the right decision."
Bumbo pats the fierce druid on the shoulder and smiles. You weren't given great options, my friend. We're with you, either way.
Loth shrugs. "When a man is murdered, we attribute it to a killer. When a town is raided, we attribute it to a general. The raid on Sandpoint, terrible as it were, was orchestrated in a way beyond regular goblins. The idea of unifying tribes here at Thistletop is beyond regular goblins. Cut off the head, and the tribes will scatter to the winds. That's what I think, anyway."
Aventail nods.
”Nevertheless, we stay wary. Goblins are opportunistic raiders. Whether bonded to a greater cause by fear or intimidation or left to their own devices they will pack-up to attack us if we show signs of vulnerability.”
"Sounds promising" grumbles Mizzug. "We need cut head offfa big one calls shot."
Loth doubles back to the goblin dog pen and tries to see if the pen is locked/closed, as well as keep an eye out for traps.
@Loth (and anyone else who looks): The goblin dogs are locked up tight. They slobber and growl at Loth when he checks the cage, but otherwise stay in their pen. (I don't remember if you identified them or not, but let's say you at least know what they are.)
@Loth 2: If you intend to check the bridge, give me another roll.
If not, give me a marching order for the bridge (C9 on the map).
@Everyone: Liking the moral debate. I especially like that we have 2 different opinions that are willing to discuss their sides rationally.
Aventail casts a curious eye over the rope-and-wood construction.
”And fate leaves no other means of gaining the isle?” she murmurs, half to no-one as she peers down and about.
Bridge check!
Bumbo looks around at his friends. Do we want Toot to take the lead?
Toot snorts. Of course we do!
"Toot is the most aggressive, I don't want to be between him and our foes."
Avrntail nods, still looking down to the waves breaking against the cliffshore. ”A good, brave scout. I can bring up the rear again...thus assessing the capacity of the bridge...”
@Aventail: The bridge will take your weight, but likely not the whole party at once. Maybe only 3 or 4 of you (depending on which party members go). As for looking down, water. Surf crashing against the cliffs; between the foam and the rocks, you're unable to see how deep the water is. But yes, you could (conceivably) be able to scale down this side of the cliff, walk along the bottom, and then climb up the other side. But it would be a long climb both directions.
@Loth: The bridge looks clear.
@Everyone: The bridge extends approx. 100 feet before hitting land again. Jutting up from the water is what looks to be an enormous column of rock carved in the semblance of a head. This makes the wooden walls of the fort on top look like a crown, and the sparse bushes look like patchy hair. The walls of the fort are around 20 feet tall, a small patch of stone sits between the end of the bridge and the door to the fort (20 by 20 feet). Said doors are 10 feet tall, iron strapped, and closed. The fort itself seems to be in remarkably good condition considering that it has been under goblin control for the past decades. No guards or lookouts are visible, and the only movement aside from yourselves is the occasional sea bird flying around.
Aventail looks up from her perusal of the rocky shore, across the bridge, and down again. She muses momentarily, then nods.
”I think the bridge sound enough. If we do not overly tax it. Go across three at a time - perhaps Toot, Mizzug and Raz-kiv first to hold. Then Doll-storm, Bumbo and Loth. I will then bring up the rear on a third trip.” she announces.
With but a nod, Mizzug begins the trip. Glancing over her shoulder, she inquires "Who be sally?"
Shrugging, she continues onward, sword in hand.
Aventail likewise points her heavy crossbow across the span, keeping watch...
Loth nods at Aventail's plan and waits for the first group to cross.
Bumbo nods and moves on, watching with concern as Toot moves up with Mizzug to take the lead. Toot looks at Mizzug and constantly tries to get around this two-leg to get in the lead.
Razkiv nods, this is not his sort of warfare. "We should move across the open ground as fast as possible. Mizzug is faster than me she should go second.
@Loth: Unless you're in some extreme circumstances (fighting while flying or something), you can recover thrown weaponry.
@Aventail: You notice a suspicious lack of movement from the fort walls. You know one of the other goblins got away before the druids made their deal. Why isn't the fort on alert ready to pelt you as you cross the bridge?
@Razkiv, Toot, Mizzug: You three are crossing first? In the order of Toot, Mizzug, Razkiv, correct?
@Loth, Dol, Bumbo: You three next? Any particular order for that?
@Everyone: I've added a new slide with the fort proper. North is still the top of the map.
Aventail peers at the fort. She stops Raz Mizzug and Toot.
”Something is amiss. They either wait for us to start along the bridge to attack, or they have means of dropping the bridge. It appears to be the only means of access. A strategic fort would have such a defense.”.
She looks at the bridge again:
but sees nothing new. She turns to Bumbo, Raz and Dol.
”Casters among us - we need more information. Can we summon aerial scouts? Can Toot be a stealthy warrior?” [here she takes a knee to ask Toot]
Loth is fine with being in the middle.
Toot snorts. Stealth! What is this madness?! I am no slinking beast, afraid of its prey. There is no prey Toot cannot devour!
Bumbo winces and waves his hands in the air. No, no...Toot, that's not what we're saying. We're simply afraid that our enemies will so fear your presence that they'll try to flee. The only want to face them properly without their escaping is to do so silently. Otherwise, there will be no proper challenge in that fort!
Toot seems to ponder, grumbling, as Bumbo nods to Dol.
I can, but it only seems to last a few seconds. I haven't tested its full range or capabilities...it's a bit new to me. But I should be able to sense through his senses all the way on the other side of the bridge.
"Toot, lead the way, we are burning daylight." He will wait for Mizzug before he follows.
So now I'm unsure. Are you crossing the bridge like Razkiv is saying or waiting as Aventail is suggesting?
Loth's also fine with waiting for a little bit for the others to do some advance scouting.
"If need be I could also go back and forth?"
Aventail is still still scanning the fort.
”Either they are unaware, or they wait for us. Or...they are not...there. I admit, I know not which option to suggest. Or...I go across by myself, bold and bright, and attempt to thereby flush a response.”
Aventail turns to her companions.
”Friends, out brother Raz-Kiv speaks to our dilemma. Let us make a wise decision.”
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So now I'm unsure. Are you crossing the bridge like Razkiv is saying or waiting as Aventail is suggesting?
The second group (and Aventail) are waiting for the first group to cross.
Razvik, being in the first group, but the last of the first group, is waiting for Mizzug to cross. Other than that, I believe the first group has agreed to cross and do some quick scouting.
Mizzug appears to need botting.
The second group would not wait long on the scouting. Maybe a round while watching the battlements, then cross.
"So...Mizzug go no-ow? O is we waiten?" inquires Mizzug, perplexed by the conversation. "We's need o o'er...you say no otter ways ter go...so wes takes bridge, yes?"
Rubbing her head, she frowns.
"Mizzug go."
Without another word, she continues to cross the bridge.
Aventail scans over her crossbow, ready to fire...
Once Toot and Mizzug are on the bridge Razkiv will follow, waiting for toot to get to the center.
The bridge sways in the sea wind, the creaking lost to the sound of waves below. As Toot and Mizzug make their way out onto the bridge, it seems to hold. Razkiv's weight seems to strain it, and then over-burden it, sending it crashing down.
The ropes on the near end snap, sending the bridge swinging down with your three compatriots hanging on tight. It slams against the far cliff, rattling those holding it to their teeth, but none lose their grips and only rocks go tumbling down to the surf below. The climb up to the far side is simple (read: no check require), the bridge now functioning more as a ladder than anything else. And a single rope support still spans the chasm, linking those stranded on the mainland with the bridge (you can pull the bridge back up with this rope). It takes a few minutes, but you are able to pull up the bridge and re-secure it on the main-land side. Aventail's vigilant watch detects no movement even during this escapade. What is happening in there?
_____
If it is possible for Aventail’s normally inscrutable mien to express dismay she somehow manages it. Even her voice echoes with crestfallen disappointment.
”My apologies companions. My estimation of the soundness of the bridge lacked...integrity. As did the bridge. I do not think it wise for me to attempt to cross, and if I am to assist, must look to another approach.”
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"It held up well enough, but a little too much weight all at once. Certainly Loth and Bumbo will be fine to cross. They likely weigh less than Mizzug combined.
I'll cross after them.
If you think you weigh too much, well, you may be right. If you aren't going to try to cross, though, I see no other way without simply jumping into the water, which is little different than risking the bridge."
Aventail nods. ”Perhaps. But an uncontrolled fall may damage my form. I will walk down to find a point at which to safely cross by water, as you say - then climb up again.”
"Well, let's go, Bumbo. If we take it slow and steady, we should be more than fine." Loth says, and he starts crossing the bridge.
"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"
After resetting the bring, Mizzug turns with a wide smile. "Can ride 'gain? Gobbies no mind...can ride 'gain?!"
"Aven, ya shud twy. Is much fun!"
After Toot climbs his way up with his mighty jaw and scrabbling hooves, he roars and bites furiously at the remains of the bridge in rage. Toot, you're going to make it worse! Bumbo looks on concerned, but Toot releases the ropes with propulsive spit, and turns from the accursed thing, to gaze up at the empty fort walls. No such cowardly device can save you, creatures! Your doom comes!
Bumbo shakes his head, and tries to smile at Loth. His obvious fear turns it more to a grimace. I...sure...but wish I hadn't ate that third cake for breakfast. He pats his belly lovingly, then sighs again and starts to follow Loth. He has one eye squeezed shut and the other continually looks down, and then immediately looks away...only to do so again.
"That seems to convenient to be a mishap, I suspect that the bridge was designed for that sort of thing.
"Ya, 'course twas. Didiya no has fun wit swing? Me tinks all bridge need be 'ike dat!"