'Wamba quickly goes through the pockets of both flesh and cloth, looking for valuables, since she decides that Tsuto doesn't taste particularly good. Not as good as those 'venturers they fought before, anyway. She grins happily when she finds the coin pouch. "Look, treasures for us!" she says while picking her teeth. "Now we just gotta get past the other gobbos and we's cot free!"
Batry is somewhat surprised by the bloodshed. It appears Tiffany wasn't needed. He then rushed for the journal, grumbling at how damaged it is. "Ugh, can hardly read this bloody thing." He hold it out to let loose blood drip and then uses a dry part of Tsuto's clothes to dab away some more. "Wish I could timey-whimey things to turn it back to before."
He then turns to the others, "What be next? Create hole and you bring Snookums, Ameiko and me outside?"
"Hm, look at other two rooms, since there's no goons? Might be more loot. Woot!"
Swaggy walks to the western door and attempts to quietly open it.
'Wamba seems not to care much about the journal, it having been filled with strange, soul-stealing glyphs. She blinks and stands up at Swaggy's suggestion they search the rest of the place. "I like loot that isn't just a lute," she says.
Swaggy finds a big ol' storage room full of windows. the other door reveals a long tunnel leading off into the distance.
"Hey Batry, Chamba, Rapper Haikushanks. Think Demon Arm came in through tunnel and that we could take it to give more spanks?"
He gestures for his band to follow him and looks around in the opening to the tunnel.
"Maybe get Ameiko out safe first? Don't want to get her hurt again with Elfshanks wiping out tribe. She can have chief though." He laughed at the last bit.
"Also don't want to risk getting attacked from back by dumb gobs upstairs if something nasty be down the tunnel."
"Make good points in Sandpoint, Batry does."
Somewhere in the back, one of his backup singers dutifully makes a 'ba-dum-tsss' sound effect while keeping his face straight. Swaggy just smiles and waves at the gob.
"Won't mourn loss of Chief. He big coward gob who hides behind lines," Swaggy admits. "Coward like Demon Arm. Take over Licktoad terrotory and Sandy Point town while their number is down. Pfff."
He crosses his arms and frowns in disgust. "Not noble rapper way, now or yesterday. For now, let's get Rapper Haikushanks Ameiko back safe and later teach Demon Arm how to behave. Let's tell gobs upstairs we got bored and will later go to their fort."
You make it all the back to the giant room with the glass ovens and stuff before the Demon Arms notice you. Being bored is a perfectly-reasonable explanation, though, so you're left alone for the most part. At least until one of the goblins realizes that Chamba is covered in blood. Blood that smells like jumpyshanks. This is a problem....
I put Swaggy on the map.
I'll work on actually statting the troop today. I had the concept done a while but keep forgetting to do it, sorry. They have a guardian and shield talents and the combat reflexe feat (have to double check this last one later today). Essentially the main combo now is that the can use multiple AoO's to impose their shield before an attack to gain DR against that attack. Also I'assuming they all have heavy shield and have updated woodsman AC for a troop, which I believe is 18, or more if the troop gets goblin racial bonusses (19? Have to check max dex for studded leather).
Seemingly caught, Swaggy doesn't quite know what sort of bluff could get them out of this, but does his best. "Eh, Chamba just ate arm of longshank we took for snack on the way here. Now, guard this place while we disappear!"
The same goblin is rather more perceptive than most - which is a problem. "Nuh uh. You be Demon Arm now, but that not make you boss. You do what we say. And me no see longshank arm before. You think we dumdum but we be smart. Now you pay for making lies ... AND FOR NOT SHARING!!!" Weapons are promptly drawn.
Fortunately, you're just a tiny bit quicker.
'Wamba double-drinks two shots of bufo and lunges at the nearest goblin when it looks like their ruse isn't going to fly, her mouth wide to show off her teeth.
Chancing a look outside to see what the noise is about Batry sees the beginnings of combat. He quickly turns around, "Best prepare self, is fight."
Before he is finished Snookums is already trying to push past him. A simple touch stays her though and instead Batry can take aim at the goblin straight ahead.
After the shot is fired Batry makes room for Snookums who steps out of the blank room with a load roar.
She then proceeds to attack the same goblin Batry shot at, but the readjustment to real space clearly takes it's toll.
Faced with multiple small enemies, Swaggy simply defers to activating lots of buffs for everyone with some generic burns!
"Think Demon Arm is real hot s&&~?"
"Wait 'till Y'all hear my fire spit!"
"All you gobs are going down!"
"Get your asses out of town!"
Just as his troops' weapons combust in flames, they hit the nearest goblin! (the one to the south)
-Base stats: 12 str, 16 dex, 13 con, 9 int, 11 wis, 10 cha . 2 hit dice (17 hp at level 2), Saves +4 fort, +6 ref, +0 will. Gear/ac = Studded leather, spears/javelins, heavy shields = 18 AC, FF 15, Touch 13. BAB +2, but seems irrelevant since it’s a troop. Base attack deals 1d6 damage. Ranged attack can be used once/combat within 100 feet, does 1d6 damage in 10-feet spread within 100 feet, reflex save DC 15 for half.
-Troop is proficient with medium armor and all shields, no money yet for medium armor, though. Have to buy 10 suits to upgrade ac. (costs 500 gp to upgrade troop ac by 2 atm by buying 10 scale mails).
-Feat: extra combat talent, warden martial tradition (shield and guardian sphere, no drawbacks).
-Delayed damage pool of max 6 damage, empties at end of turn.
-Chosen spheres are defiant boar stance and interposing shield. They gain 2 temp HP when dealing damage with an attack and have DR2/- when using Active Defense.
-Active defense is the Shield Sphere main ability and can be used to increase your ac by 2 (and gain DR2/-) as an AoO when attacked.
Chamba pulverizes a goblin ... at least, she would have if she had a club or something. Instead, she chompchomps with her teethies. Batry shoots a very surprised Demon Arm - who's even more surprised when Snookums appears out of nowhere. Snookums is surprised too, though. The magic room is on top of a board, and even though it's only a slight elevation, anyone who's ever overlooked the presence of a staircase knows how disorienting a sudden elevation change can be. Swaggy, meanwhile, orders his minions to attack, and they promptly swarm the closest Demon Arm. At the same time, the plucky bard begins to unleash an epic diss track that makes another foe quiver in fear.
The Demon Arms aren't swayed, however. The two nearest the secret trapdoor run away to warn the boss jumpyshanks. They're sure to be sorely disappointed when they discover what's downstairs. The others attack!
Swaggy's troop is just too fly for the other goblins, as they interpose their shields and kitchen stove plates! Sick tactics, yo. The first and second Demon Arms just miss, leaving only the third attacker... and it's merely a flesh wound! The second line of backup singers immediately began insulting the cut and it magically started closing right away!
Meanwhile, Swaggy himself continues his supportive raps and spits some fire at the goblin Chamba just attacked!
"Yo, Yo hear the beat!"
"Y'all better jump or you'll burn your feet!"
Not his best burn, but oh well! If they were all great people stopped paying attention.
From the corner of his eye, he sees an enemy gobbo come up on one of his allies, and he cries a warning!
...But his shout of warning goes unheard, as does his burn...
'Wamba wheels and lunges at the goblin that came up behind her. chomping again while giggling quietly. She is slightly surprised and amused that her teeth are giving off a fiery glow.
[ooc]If that kills the goblin, she tries to tumble past the goblin that was flanking her to get behind him, putting her opposite Snookums.
Knowing he can't leave the room without endangering the still hurt Ameiko Batry stays put, slightly frustrated that there was little he could do.
With that he reload Tiffany and, aiming just over Snookums, he tries to unleash a barrage of bolts at the nearest Demon Arm. The aim is difficult though, with shooting around Snookums and the limited frame of view.
Snookums doesn't have that limited frame of view though and the big beast just continues attacking, unphased be her previous miss.
You continue to mow through the Demon Arm gobbos. They're slightly stronger than your average Licktoad ... but you're heroes, and that makes you the best. The remaining foes hack desperately at Swaggy's backup dancers, but it's clear that they'll be overwhelmed before too long.
Swaggy watches his friends decimate the Licktoad phonies in saticfaction, but raises his cane just as his troop begins swarming the last one. "Wait! Stop killing that one before it's too late. Knock out last Gob and take body in, cause he'll tell us everything about Demon Arm fort if he knows what's good for him!"
When the last demon arm is knocked out, Swaggy gives another signal and the troop disperses to scour the place and the bodies for valuables.
"Anything else we need to do here before we disappear?" Swaggy asks Chamba, Batry and Haikushanks, ready to move on if they were.
Regretfully, 'Wamba gives a quick look-around the large room for treasure, but seeing nothing of value she shrugs. Killing other goblins is not as satisfying for her as killing longshanks, and she takes another drink of bufo to try to wash the taste out of her mouth.
Batry whistles for Snookums to come join them inside the Room, which she does.
"I don't think there is anything left here for us. Let's bring Ameiko back to safety. You can toss the knocked out one in here as well, I'll get Snookums to keep him down."
With the majority of the Demon Arm gobs defeated (in addition to jumpyshanks), leaving the glassyworks is a piece of pie ... fudge? ... cookie? Oh, that's right! Leaving the glassyworks is a part of a cookie. And since it's night, Chamba will have no difficulty maneuvering her way through Sandy Points under the cover of darkness.
"Once we getting 'Meiko back to Ssshelelelelu, let'sh go back to that tunnel! I bet there lotsh of treshure and lutesh under there. Plush it would be nicshe to have another way into Shandytown, she where it goesh..." 'Wamba trails off, a bemused expression on her face. She suspects there are deeper matters going on here, but she doesn't let it trouble her much.
"Right! Say, fellow rapper Ameiko. Where do we have to go? To meet Shalelu and not have her kill us with her bow? ...Or in some other way?" Swaggy asks the Longshank woman. "Want to look into Demon Arm tribe 'cause of creepy vibe, but first have to be alive."
"Oh, right. Shalelu elfshanks said she'd check other Goblin tribes. Probably far away for at least two nights," Swaggy remembers, realizing Ameiko probably had no way of contacting her at long range. "Hm. Haikushanks, can you go to longshanks outside and keep out of danger as thanks? Need to check tunnel down below and solve Demon Arm 'fore going home. Like real goblin heroes, right guys!?"
Just as his entire troop salutes behind him, totally individually, his sharp red eyes lock on Ameiko, waiting for her reply.
"Rusty Dragon Inn"
"I will be safe back at home."
"Go do hero things."
Swaggy nods proudly at Haikushanks as she says her farewells somewhere in the direct neighborhood of Sandypoints.
"Take care, Longshanks!"
"Maybe someday we can sing."
"Rap battle as peers!"
He waits to see if his friends had any words for her, and realizes he feels... odd. Like... there was some further reward in this, other than just not being killed by Shalelu. And it felt... good. He liked saving helpless shortshanks and longshanks. Same way Doggfather saved Swaggy when he was helpless. Was what he'd do too! Noble rapper way!
...Right?
But that wasn't what a Licktoad was supposed to do...
Confused and somewhat worried over how his friends would react to him saying something similar, he follows them back to the dark tunnel in silent contemplation.
'Wamba is happy to drop off Ameiko, but when she sees she is associated with a tavern, she asks, "Hey, you got any spirits in there I could try? Maybe one or two for the road? For the tunnel?" She hopefully holds out an empty skin and waggles her eyebrows.
Once Ameiko and Snookums both exited the Room, Batry follows. Oustide he grabs the edges of the portal, folds the square several times until it's small enough to fit between his hands and then it vanishes. Was a neat trick, useful for entertainment.
"Go be safe lady Ameiko, and tell Shalululu we's been great help when she comes again. Prefer shooting contest with Elf on friendly terms. At target that not me or my friends." He gently pats Tiffany.
@Chamba: Ameiko gives you a small container of drink. It's hot and smells like rice.
Partly on the way back to the tunnel, since that had been the plan, Swaggy has an errant thought. "Hmmm... what about the bloody pages we got from longshanks after Chamba quenched her bloodthirst? Can read those first?"
‘Wamba scratches her head and then pulls out the pages. ”You mean these?” she asks.
Batry grabs the notes from Chamba's hands, mumbling something about now even stealing his books .
He then started reading them best he could with all the blood everywhere.
You're able to decipher two passages from the journal. The first is a rough map of Sandy Points. "I can't wait until the raid. This town deserves a burning, that's for sure. Ripnugget seems to favor the overwhelming land approach, but I don't think it's the best plan. We should get the quasit's aid. Send her freaks up from below via the smuggling tunnel, and then invade from the river and from the Glassworks in smaller but more focused strikes. The rest, except Bruthazmus agree, and I'm pretty sure the bugbear's just being contrary to annoy me. My love's too distracted with the lower chambers to make a decision. Says that once Malfeshnekor's released and under her command, we won't need to worry about being subtle. I hope she's right."
The second excerpt is a drawing of a naked demon lady. "My love seems bent on going through with it - nothing I can say convinces her of her beauty. She remains obsessed with removing what she calls her 'celestial taint' and replacing it with her Mother's Grace. She's pleased with her transformation thus far, but I can't say her new hand is pleasing to me. Hopefully when she offers Sandpoint to Lamashtu's fires, her new body won't be as hideous. Maybe I'll luck out. Succubi are demons too, aren't they?"
Swaggy listens itnently to Batry's superior reading skills but is forced to poke roughly half of his troop from their sleeping states somewhere along the way.
When his friend finishes, he is deeply troubled. "Lots of names we don't know. But tunnel seems the best way to go - I think. Closest, for one."
Nervously, he walks around in a circle a few rounds as he considers something. "But... what do you want to do? If unknowns want to burn Sandpoint for mother Lamashtu, they're friends of Chief, right...? Maybe he wouldn't want us to fight?"
'Wamba shrugs. "Sandypoints is ours, not theirs. We don't want to burn it, so if they burning it, they burning us! We stop them!"
Hearing that from Chamba, of all people, Swaggy smiles brighly! "Right. Let's go clear out demon arm 'fore Licktoad Sandypoint gets more harm. Look out, tunnel down below, 'cause here we go!"
Unless stopped by Batry, he continues with the original plan of searching the tunnels, singing goblin songs to his troop and friends on the way!
"Yes, let's put end to these silly goblins! They made Shalulu go after us!" Batry then proceeds to check all his stuff to determine whether he's ready. He is.
"Do keep silent a bit. We don't know what's in the tunnel."
Swaggy abruptly stops singing. "Ah, right. Slip of the mind. Listen to what Batry say'always big brain play!"
Both the troop and swaggy himself go tippity toes after the rest into the dark tunnel...
Your trip down the secret tunnel is rudely interrupted when a monster with a big weird mouth charges out of a side cave! It tries to eat Chamba!
Batry's seen a picture of this thing before in that big book he stole from the blind oldshanks. It's a monster from the tattoo wizzerd times and like a gazillion years old! They're called Sin Pawns. Spin Ons. Pin Sawn. Something like that.
'Wamba yelps and tries to throw herself out of the way of the creature, using the momentum from its attack to cause her to roll south into the side room.
You are staggered for 1 round after you attempt to use this feat, whether or not you succeed.
"Chamba! Are you ok?" Swaggy cries, then narrows his eyes in rage at the being.
"So you're a pawn of Sin?
Fool do you know the kind of mess you're in!?
When we're done with you heap of trash,
All that's left is a pile of ash!"
Everyone's weapons (and teeth) burst into flames while you're also enraged!
Behind him, swaggy's troop marches down the narrow hallway one gob at a time, and the first few start swarming the Sin Eater!... Er, Sin pawn!
Shaking her head like a tiny bull, 'Wamba steps behind the creature. She lunges at it with her teeth, gnawing on its tough hide like a teething child.
"It's a Sin Pown, some monster from oldy times! Kill it, but a bit careful. I want to collect a bit for studies." The Sin was an obvious one as that was something those old times longshanks were obsessed with. Beyond that though...
Despite his own words Batry than started shooting like a mad goblin.
Snookums doesn't seem very eager to attack the weird thing. Instead she only moves to block it's escape route.