|
"I'll take care of that one guys!" Said Ritcher before spring into action even with his still fresh burnings from the Pyro goblin previous spell.
◆Stride, Ritcher moves towards Red with his weapon in hand.
◆Strike! Once in reach he slash at the poor goblin with his Shortsword relying on his lightning fast speed and sharp edge rather than pure brute strength.
◆Strike Again! Not taking his chances Ritcher attacks again to make sure his foe isn't going to retaliate.
|
After getting singed by the pyro goblin, Dr. Lazarus brushes off the remaining flames and shakes his head at him. "My dear misguided creature, you give goblins a bad name. Am I right, Pickles?" Without waiting for a response, he continues, "Yes, yes, of course I am. It's what we call a rhetorical question." The ever-pompous Doctor strategizes the best way to take him down. The pyro goblin, not Pickles.
Seeing a flanking opportunity with Kazkoya, Lazarus moves north and attacks the goblin.
Elven Curve Blade (w/ Stratagem): (17) + 10 = 27
|
seeing Ritcher have some difficulty attacking the Goblin he charged up to, Vralzyk will yell out to the red goblin in his own language
As vralzyk yells out at the goblin he casts an Evil eye in his direction
As he glares at the little goblin he motions with his hand and a bit of debris flies at the same goblin
|
Kazkoya moves and strikes twice at goblin's pyromaniac!
But fails to do any harm, but has the satisfaction to see the doctor dealing the killing blow thanks to her help!
Certainly, these goblins doesn't us to free the whistleblower! She says after hearing the goblins chatting about "keeping their secret".
|
“Master Gnome is right! These fellas are hiding something!” Pickles shouts while loading another bolt in the crossbow, all the while tapping his foot in the rhythm of the goblin song that their attackers are singing. He can’t help it, it’s too catchy and almost involuntarily he starts to hum and eventually sing along while he’s taking aim on one of the goblins engaged with Ritcher.
” Stabby day, stabby day
Glad to see you here today
Wer’e glad you came this way
It’s a stabby day.
Come on in, see our smile
Eating you will take a while
We can dance and we can sing
And let the slaughter ring
Fill our guts full of joy
Eat the girls and the boys
And before this day ends
You be dead and all arend.”
Pickles can almost feel the juding gaze of the Doctor upon him and without looking at him he clears his throat. ”Sorry. Old habit.” He flashes a toothy grin. ”Where were we? Ah right, murdering some brethren, excellent.” With a loud ‘clank’ he fires his bolt, that once again is coated with the alchemical liquid Pickles has loaded in the contraption on top of his crossbow. Without looking if his bolt strikes true, he mechanically goes ahead and reloads his weapon.
|
|
As Lazarus and Kazkoya take down the pyro goblin, the Doctor hears Pickles humming the odd tune and calls out to him, "Pickles, my boy, that's a catchy tune. You'll have to translate later." Then reconsidering, he says, "Oh wait. No. Never mind. Best not delve too deeply into the goblin mind. Yeah, I'm good."
When he hears both Vralzyk and Pickles mention a goblin secret, Lazarus regrettably eyes the goblin at his feet. "So ... we should keep one alive then?"
|
|
In an effort to take the last goblin alive, Dr. Lazarus attempts to devise the best way to strike non-lethally.
Feeling unsure about that tactic, he instead decides to move in to grapple the remaining goblin. When he gets within range, he sees blood dripping on Ritcher. "Hang in there my boy, I'll patch you up after we subdue this last one." He attempts to Grapple the goblin.
With his long elven arms wrapped around the squirming creature, Lazarus calls out, "Perhaps one of you goblin-speakers can kindly explain that we'd consider sparing his pathetic life if he shares some information. You might remind him that his friends, and I use the term loosely, have chosen a different path. They chose ... poorly."
|
|
"Hold on I got this Doc!" Pickles shouts as he drops the crossbow and sprints over to attack the last remaining Goblin that is currently being manhandled by the Doctor.
Pickles runs as fast as he can until he suddenly leaps into the air spinning around his own axis. He timed the jump attack perfectly and the heel of his foot is aiming for the temple of the goblin, surely going to knock him out if the attack connects.
"You see Doc, we Goblins have a fairly crucial artery running up to our peanut-sized brains" Pickles says a bit out of breath after a perfect landing. "You squeeze it a bit too hard and my folks tend to go for sleepy time. Did they teach you that down at your fancy college?" The broad and friendly smile takes off the edge of Pickles' comment.
|
|
When Pickles makes his comment about the fancy college, the sarcasm escapes the Doctor completely. In fact, he almost beams with pride. Turning to Pickles, "So you've been there? I don't know how fancy I'd call it. To be sure, the library is quite ornate. In contrast, my forensics lab is more practical than extraordinary. Now, if you're really looking for opulence, the new wing donated by ..." His voice trails off as he realizes that he's the only one interested. Oddly this doesn't seem to bother him.
Dr. Lazarus turns to Ritcher beside him. "You have a nasty gash to go with those burns, my boy. Allow me to take a quick look."
He nods to the half-elf, "There. That should offer some relief. Anyone else injured?" Turning to Pickles and Vralzyk, "Any chance of getting information out of his peanut-sized brain, as you called it?" Looking around the courtyard and patting the anti-paralysis potion on his bandolier, he adds, "And where is our petrified whistleblower?"
|
|
Vralzyk approaches the doctor with his bundle of goblin "Well, it appears we've got one of these rascals to question! Very good, very well done.. Now as far as questioning the goblin, I'm afraid I'm not too convincing when it comes to that... though I could use my particular skills to make him more susceptible to talking. Anyone else want to take the lead on questioning our poor little goblin friend here?"
|
Dr Lazarus is now holding a very unconscious goblin. ((out of combat)) You can unpetrify the person you were sent here for who tells you that a band of militant hobgoblins has been establishing a base in one of the old siege castles outside the city. This can be confirmed by the goblin you captured whose tribe is in league with with the hobgoblins.
The whistleblower also shows his appreciation for your efforts by gifting
you a jeweled ring worth 12 gp. ((Two treasure bundles)).
|
|
As Jal joins the group, Dr. Lazarus looks at him curiously, "Ah, there you are my boy. Did you get lost? Or did you just eat one too many of those eggs?"
When Vralzyk suggests the haunted house next, the Doctor is quick to agree. "Yes, the task by Gorm Greathammer, leader of the Grand Archive faction, is no doubt of vital historical importance to the Society."
Lazarus approaches Gorm Greathammer and poses the questions he asked earlier to get a better idea of what we're about to face. "Sir, you mentioned strange activity. Can you tell us what activity has been reported and can you share any rumors of what's haunting the place?"
|
|
Being more than pleased with himself since he knocked the Goblin out with one swift kick to the head, Pickles holds his head a bit higher than before.
"Haunted house sounds great! Wonder what happened there to cause the haunt, but I'm sure you and the Doc will figure that out in no time." Pickles responds to Vralzyk.
Pickles stands in the courtyard nervously tapping his foot, while waiting on the Doctor's return. Pretty sure we'd have figured things out on the job itself...Terribly inquisitive the fella. His thoughts are interrupted by the Doctor's return (and everyone that joined him).
"Ah there you are! Hope you're smarter now, Doc." He says with a warm smile. Still talking he simultaneously opens his bag and produces a bundle wrapped in some red linen. "Here you go everyone, can't adventure with an empty stomach." Pickles explains as he distributes the content of the linen bundle to his companions.
"Sourdough sandwich with blue cheese, a slice of venison roastbeef, home-made pomegranate chutney and pickled lingonberries." He looks even prouder than after roundhouse-kicking that goblin into oblivion earlier. "Dig in!" He says happily and takes a huge bite out of his own sandwich. "Lefff go!" Pickles starts to hop a long towards the haunted house.
|
|
Nodding to the wise Gorm Greathammer, Dr. Lazarus jots some notes in his writing pad and thanks the faction leader for his time.
When Pickles comments about being smarter, the Doctor still doesn't detect any sarcasm. "Why, thank you, my dear boy, a wonderful sentiment. It's comforting to know we are in completely agreement that knowledge is power." He claps the goblin on the shoulder with a smile, and adds, "Here...would you like to borrow a book for the road?"
Later, when Pickles is handing out snacks, Lazarus hasn't the foggiest idea what a lingonberry is, but he tries the sandwich nonetheless. "Very tasty, Pickles. My compliments to the chef!"
The Doctor leads the way to the haunted house.
|
|
As the group ventures on, Vralzyk happily munches away at the sandwich provided by the goblin "Ahh very good indeed. Quite the little chef you are my friend. Tell me, why take up the life of adventure when it seems you are so skilled in the culinary arts? I'm sure you could find quite the comfortable life selling such nice little snacks!" As he talks, Vralzyk tears off a bite of the sandwich and holds it above the small box he carries at his hip. Rufus pops the top off the box and greedily gobbles up the morsel. "See! Even Rufus here likes it and he is quite the picky eater! You should see the face he makes when I collect up some grubs for him to eat when we are out travelling on the road. Truly a little noble, my friend thinks he is!" As he chuckles at his little jest he continues eating his sandwich and starts to mumble a bit under his breath as the group continues on. You cant quite make out what he is saying, but it would seem he is either talking to no one or directing his conversation to the little lizard tucked away in his little carrying case
|
|
Pickles smiles proudly after being commended by the Doctor and Vralzyk. He shakes his head vigorously when Lazarus offers him a book and is quite thankful that he instead can engage in a conversation with Vralzyk.
"I've been cooking all my life, you see. And in the beginning it was quite tough to convince my tribe to try the food I made, it wasn't necessarily Goblin cuisine because my stomach is..." He looks ashamed "...sensitive. Coming to the big city was a blessing really. Well the tribe lost a lot but it's a silver lining, you know?"
It is quite obvious that the more Pickles shares of his story, the more his blabbering self fades to a more relaxed version of himself. "I learned that most other folks enjoyed my food and I indeed started to sell some of it, funding some of the construction in our new home in the Puddles. But why I chose adventuring you ask? It's quite simple. When my pantry was invaded by some sewer crocodiles some Pathfinder agents came and took care of it like it was nothing." He smiles as he realizes "A bit like we took care of these Goblins. It was amazing. They were so brave, had such camaraderie. I wanted that. Before they came I went down to defend my brand-new pantry myself. Nobody came with me, and the tribe is supposed to be family you know? And some random folks sticking their neck out for each other like it is nothing, coming down and solving other folks issues, being brave and all! I wanted that, plain and simple."
Pickles ends is story with a last big bite out of the sandwich. "Glad your little dragon likes my food. How did you get hold of him?" All of a sudden Pickles gets really excited, "Oh oh! Did you steal it from a big dragon?! Or...or did you find an egg and hatch it?"
|
|
"Again I had no luck at gathering information, perhaps the people just don't want to talk about that haunted house, it's a scarry topic so can't blame them." Commented the Half-Elf.
"And I gotta say that you're quite refined Pickles, your food is practically a new form of art, do you worship Shelyn? She has certainly blessed you my friend." Added Ritcher as he enjoys Pickles' tales.
|
|
As Jal joins the group, Dr. Lazarus looks at him curiously, "Ah, there you are my boy. Did you get lost? Or did you just eat one too many of those eggs?"
Jal chuckles, not even having yet good grace to be embarrassed. ”Nah. The eggs were great.” He shrugs, ” It’s my first time in town, though, and I just wanted to ... ya know ... see some sights. And that sight had a particularly pretty smile. I’ll pay better attention moving forward, though.”
He lounges against the wall, taking a moment to try one of Pickles’s latest creations. After a bite, though, he just holds it. When he thinks the goblin isn’t looking, he grimaces and slips it into a nearby planter.
”Ready when you all are.”
|
|
Quite different from what we have in Oprac, but not that bad! says Kazkoya as she eats Pickles food.
Clearly she seems distracted by Pickles's cooking as she tries to talk to the Absalom people the mouth full!
Turning to her comrades she says
Agreed *noises of mastication* people * noises of mastication* don't * noises of mastication* want * noises of mastication* to * noises of mastication* talk * noises of mastication*
|
|
Upon Arrival.
The Mavedarus home was once a grand, three-story structure with a rooftop veranda and manicured grounds. Now, only the first floor remains standing, the second and third stories having collapsed during the earthquake, and in the years of neglect since, the grounds have grown into a wild disarray.
The ceilings were originally 15 feet overhead, though in many places, rooms are simply open to the sky. The staircases end between 5 and 10 feet off the ground, though it’s clear they once climbed further. Those few doors that remain on their hinges are brittle and unlocked.
C1: The Once Grand Entry:
This old home might have once commanded the respect and envy of its neighbors, but the remaining story is cracked and crumbling. Whatever upper stories it might have once had have long collapsed, scattering stone and debris across gardens grown wild and weedy. Two curving staircases lead to a broad veranda bereft of its railings. Two openings that might have once been doors lead into the faint remnants of a solarium, while two more doors lead further into the creaking house itself. A whiff of rot and decay seeps from the structure.
C2: Decrepit Hall:
The tiled floor, ornate columns, and sweeping staircases of this once-grant hall evoke a distinctly Taldan aesthetic, though the finery has suffered greatly over the past years. The marble floor tiles are cracked and filthy, and the statuary lining the walls has been smashed. None of the three staircases climbs beyond head level before ending abruptly, debris from their fallen upper reaches scattered across the floor.
((If you are Searching - make Perception Checks - map added to slides))
|
|
As he heads up the once-ornate entryway, Dr. Lazarus looks around in awe. "Fascinating. Could this have been a solarium?" Turning to the group, he excitedly says, "Behold! A residence for scholars." Lazarus pulls out his writing pad, frantically jotting things down with as much detail as possible.
With a noticeable spring in his step, the Doctor follows Kazkoya into the Grand Hall. With his elven curve blade drawn, he looks around.
Dr. Lazarus then mutters, "Entry sentry" and casts Detect Magic as he scans the room once more.
|
|
Vralzyk intently listens to the goblins story of becoming a pathfinder "Oh yes, I can see why you would want to get involved. Very valiant, most pathfinders are. Its great to have a chance to travel with others, myself. Very nice indeed. Before it was just me and Rufus out on the road." After the conversation turns to where Vralzyk got Rufus, the gnomes smile fades a bit and he becomes a bit evasive, though after unimaginable prodding from the goblin he finally relents. "Well, no I did not steal him or... capture him or hatch him from birth... Just... well one day I woke up in my small hut outside of Druma and he was there. No explanation really, and well... From that day, he has taught me a lot of strange, and curious things. He says he is some kind of gift from someone or other, but he cant really say who. All I know is that having him around has been immeasurably helpful to say the least!"
Upon coming up to the house Vralzyk looks concerned. "Ahh, they expect us to go in there? It looks half demolished already. Lets make this quick so the other half doesnt have time to fall in on our heads!"
Vralzyk keeps is wits about him...
and becomes a bit distracted, reminiscing about finding Rufus, all the questions he has about how this little lizard somehow conducts some kind of power for him. And remembering how finding Rufus also lead to the fateful day he was driven out of his home and why he spends most days out on the road now....
|
|
Pickles is fading from shadow to shadow, trying his best to stay unnoticed. There is something about this old manor that makes him uneasy. He has not spoken much since the group but foot on the estate.
A whiff of brimstone catches his nose and soon after his ears twitch once he hears the strange chanting.
"Yop. Hearing it. Not liking it." He unsheathes a sword that can only be described as an oversized kitchen knife, something an ogre might have used in the past.
"So it's probably about time I mention that I've heard rumors, very unlikely rumors - well until now - that in the past some cultists worshipping an archedevil supposedly sacrificed humanoids in here. Guess there might be some truth to that after all. Be careful everyone." Pickles whispers and listens intently one more time.
"Yop. Bad news. Whoever is chanting up ahead, they're praying to Mephistoteles himself. Great."
|
|
Seeing nothing interesting, Dr. Lazarus is about to move further into the room when Kazkoya first hears the chanting. He stops and listens.
Nodding to the goblin, the Doctor agrees, "Now that you mention it, I've heard similar rumors about cultists sacrificing humans. A grisly business, to be sure." Listening carefully, he adds, "Quite right, my dear boy. This chanting does indeed sound like prayers to the arch-devil, Mephistopheles." Dr. Lazarus grips his curve blade a little tighter.
|
|
Vralzyk murmurs a bit too himself at the mention of Mephistopheles prayers being uttered in a strange language up ahead. Glancing down at his hip box "Rufus... Uhh, perchance... this Mephistopheles guy. Not the guy who sent you to me right? No? Okay thats very good, very good indeed"
Vralzyk falls back to the rear of the group as they advance, hoping to keep some space between himself and the danger knowing he'll be useless if he's caught up with the likes of Jal and the Doctor
"Shall we pay these lovely cultists a nice visit then? Should be quite fun I would say" Vralzyk chuckles as he speaks to the group
|
|
Just to clarify: There are no actual cultists here .... what you are seeing is a psychic impression in the building.
What Dr Lazarus knows of Haunts. A haunt is a hazardous region created by unquiet spirits that react violently to the presence of the living. The exact conditions that cause a haunt to manifest vary from case to case—but haunts always arise from a source of terrific mental or physical anguish endured by living, tormented creatures. A single, source of suffering can create multiple haunts, or multiple sources could consolidate into a single haunt. The relative power of the source has little bearing on the strength of the resulting haunt—it’s the magnitude of the suffering or despair that created the haunt that decides its power.
|
|
Dr. Lazarus shares what he knows of haunts. "As I was saying, these haunts are manifestations of a spirit, typically arising from tormented creatures." He continues with more boring details, letting his voice trail off. "Magnitude ... suffering ... affects power of haunt ... et cetera, et cetera ...."
|
|
"Alright Doc, that's all nice and gravy but do you have any clue how we can un-haunt this place?" Pickles asks Lazarus and then turns to the group "Or any of you? Any clue how we can at least avoid it if we can't restore the place itself?"
"This place creeps me out. I'm having chicken skin..." He says and rubs his arms "Goosebumps! That's how you longshanks call it. Anyways there must be way to commune with these spirits and either scare them off or talk them into settling down, no?"