Atae and the acolyte set a date and time to meet up when Atae finishes their work.
Veecs offer the drunkard a drink, "The alehouse a few blocks down? That place sucks!" he says back to Veecs
Roddy informs the drunkard about the "backroom" of the same alehouse, "The alehouse a few blocks down has a secret backroom? That place is awesome!" he says as he heads off.
With that, the crowd loses its leaders and its momentum causing it to disperse from the area. It becomes easy to figure out which statue needs to be recovered based on Eando's instructions.
However, as you head towards the statue, three goblins appear from a back alley. "We can't be letting you doing that longshanks!"
The goblins sing as they draw their weapons,
"Break the statue, kill the men
Break the windows, smash them in
Light the fires, spread'em round
Nobody messes with the goblins of Statue Town!"
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Elfino
Itka
Roddy
Veecs
Apollo
Atea
Orange Goblin Pyro
Blue Warrior
Red Warrior
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Apollo is happy to see how quickly the team dispersed the mob. It seemed like it would be only too simple to complete their mission now. Alas...
Hearing the goblins song, Apollo critiques, "Your song needs work. The cadence isn't quite right. With more practice, you'll get it." Seeing the threat of a spellcaster in back, Apollo moves into position to get a clear shot. He gathers his focus energy and aims a ray of fire at the goblin to teach him the finer points of playing with fire.
Upon casting this revelation spell, smoke and harmless flickers of flame obscure and conceal the oracle.
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Roddy hears the Goblins song knowing this could be nothing but trouble
As he runs in the goblins direction he calls out to them:
"Hey You boys are outnumbered and outmatched, and sorry but we arent gonna let ya smash or burn nothin' today!"
Action 1 move
action 2 move, mid move Apollo's blast takes out that the goblin in the back, taking Roddy by surprise. He is always wary of being in the way of magics. He quickly does a spin move and ends up behind the blue goblin.
Action 3 Flurry of blows
Attack 1:
Attack 1:
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Apollo is happy to see how quickly the team dispersed the mob. It seemed like it would be only too simple to complete their mission now. Alas...
Hearing the goblins song, Apollo critiques, "Your song needs work. The cadence isn't quite right. With more practice, you'll get it." Seeing the threat of a spellcaster in back, Apollo moves into position to get a clear shot. He gathers his focus energy and aims a ray of fire at the goblin to teach him the finer points of playing with fire.
[dice=Fire Ray vs. Orange]1d20+9
[dice=Fire Damage]4d6Upon casting this revelation spell, smoke and harmless flickers of flame obscure and conceal the oracle.
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Much like Apollo, Elfino breathes out a sigh of relief when the last of the fomenters are dismissed without violence and the ugly looking crowd they were instigating disperses. "Nice work ma friends. I only 'ope de rest of our tasks can be completed without violence..." his voice trails off as the goblins make their appearance. He sighs again. "...but it appears dose 'opes are ta be dashed."
Elfino examines the situation and his eyes linger on what seems to be the more dangerous of the three assailants.
He has trouble seeing a weakness he can exploit in the creature, this may be due to the intense blast of super-heated air and flames that explodes out of Apollo and reduces the goblin leader to small puff of individual atoms.
His main target eradicated, Elfino pulls the bow from his back, nocks an arrow, and after randomly selecting one of the remaining goblins, sends it flying in their direction.
Elfino fires a shotbow at one of the goblin warriors and the arrow just barely slips past the goblins defenses and sticks into him.
Roddy moves around to attack from behind, but both of his attacks miss the goblin warrior.
Apollo fires off a fire beam at the pyromantic goblin and deals a massive amount of damage, but the goblin stays standing (barely)!
Atea draws her weapon and waits for the right moment to strike.
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Elfino
Itka
Roddy
Veecs
Apollo
Atea, 2 actions
Orange goblin pyro -25hp
Blue Warrior, -5hp
Red Warrior
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Itka, holding the salve in one hand, had just leaned her cane against the statue to apply the salve to it, when the goblins' chanting caught her attention. In two blinks of an eye, the trio of troublemakers is rather demolished by her team. "Hmp." Talking worked last time. Why not now? She's rather disgusted by the team's quick abandonment of civilized discussion, despite the incendiary words of the goblins. Calling out to the red-scarfed goblin, she barks: "Be gone now! Go on!" Squinting, she tries to predict whether or not that goblin will obey her.
Only the pyro seems to consider fleeing, the other two are happier fighting than running.
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"Hmp." Disgusted, Itka limps forward without her cane and glares at the orange-clad goblin, casting her Evil Eye hex on it.
The pyro goblin looks scared of Itka's glare and the burns now covering more of its body than it had planned.
Veecs tosses a dagger that slams into the goblin warrior and narrowly misses the creature's neck.
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Elfino
Itka
Roddy
Veecs
Apollo
Atea, 2 actions
Orange goblin pyro -20hp, FEAR 1
Blue Warrior, -10hp
Red Warrior
You've earned a group Hero Point! Use it when you need it!
Atae strides up and swings their blade at goblin, but the attack is parried as the goblins begin their offensive.
Somewhat hesitantly, the fire goblin steps forward and throws fire from his hands! The blast catches Veecs, Itka, and Apollo!
fire damage
The blue goblin strides forward to the side of Veecs and slices its dogslicer at them!
It swings wildly and only the first attack manages to hit!
The red goblin steps forward, and the blue one uses the distraction to scuttle around behind Veecs for a flank!
With the advantage of a flank, Veecs is done for the red goblin thinks!
Only one attack hits and Veecs is still standing!
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Elfino
Itka, Reflex save
Roddy
Veecs, -11hp, Reflex save
Apollo, Reflex save
Atea,
Orange goblin pyro -25hp
Blue Warrior, -10hp
Red Warrior
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Whoa! Itka dodges the flames as best she can.
"Hmp." Goblins love their fire. Itka thinks wryly. Curling her lip in disgust, she sustains her Evil Eye on the pyromaniac goblin. Hobbling back a step, she casts Guidance on Veecs, since he seems to need it most. "Stay alive there, little guy! Hmp." Her harsh voice rises above the sounds of the scuffle.
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Elfino watches Apollo smash open the skull of the pyromaniacal goblin leader with a well placed bullet and turns to focus on the stronger looking of the remaining goblin warriors.
Seeing a possible opening, he sends an arrow flying.
No sooner does the first arrow leave his bow that Elfino nocks another arrow and, turning slightly, sends it toward the other goblin warrior.
Elfino devises the best plan of attack and his plan works, causing both of his arrows to hit.
Itka takes some fire damage and casts a spell.
Roddy tries valiantly to fight the goblin warriors, but they aren't afraid to duck and dodge his fists of fury. (no hits)
Veecs completely dodges the torrent of fire and follows it up with a spinning stab on a goblin
Apollo hurls a rock at the pyromantic goblin and knocks him out cold.
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Elfino
Itka, -5hp
Roddy
Veecs, -11hp
Apollo, -10hp
Atea,
Blue Warrior, -14hp
Red Warrior, -10hp
Atae misses her strike but prepares defensive magic to block future attacks.
With their leader down and the remaining goblins being significantly hurt, the two goblins decide it's time to cut their losses and run. So both goblins take off, leaving their boss behind, bleeding out on the ground.
You apply the Salve of Antiparalysis to the statue-man and free him from his prison. You explain to him that Eando Kline wishes to see him free. "Just in case something happens to me again, you need to know that hobgoblins have started establishing a forward base in one of the siege castles outside Absalom. I'm going to head to the Grand Lodge, but at least you know now! Oh, and thank you!"
Itka, -5hp
Veecs, -11hp
Apollo, -10hp
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A student of the occult and the arcane, Apollo the oracle is amazed at how well the salve works. He muses aloud, "Now that is some impressive magic."
As the goblins flee, Apollo calls after them, "That's right. Run away. Use the time to practice your song." He looks himself over, and realizes he could use some healing. But others, like Veecs, look worse off.
Scanning the group, he asks, "Anyone able to tend to our wounds?" If he gets no response, he turns to the cleric. "Do you want to handle this, Atae, or shall I give it a go?" He pulls out his crystal ball in an attempt to divine the best course of action.
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Elfino watches Veecs's attempts to treat his companions' wounds and quite frankly is not impressed. Tapping the goblin on the shoulder, he says, "Maybe I should 'ave a try, eh?" He takes out his Healer's Tools and gets to work on the wounded.
Elfino looks over his handiwork with satisfaction. "N dat, ma friends, is 'ow it should be done."
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As Apollo is peering into his crystal ball, regaining focus energy and reducing his curse, his concentration is disrupted with Veec's valiant attempts at healing. It felt more like bandages being slapped on and ripped off repeatedly. He's thankful he's not worse off than before.
About to return to his orb, Apollo is pleasantly surprised when Elfino manages to heal him in a matter of seconds. The halfling looks up, "Ah...you're quite skilled at this! My thanks." Then, he adds softly to Elfino, "I hate to hurt the poor lad's feelings, but perhaps you can give our goblin friend some pointers on the way to our next assignment." He returns to his meditation.
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"Hmp. Thanks, Elfino. Good work." She stretches to her full height, cracking her back as she does so, to test how well she feels. It's surprising how much taller she is than she looks when she's hunched over her cane. Settling herself back into her customary posture, she eyes the group as Elfino is packing away his healing tools. "Hmp. Ready to go? The haunted house sounds simple enough."
You've heard that slavers used to store their merchandise in this haunted house
You've heard that archdevil worshippers used to sacrifice innocents in this house
You've heard that slavers used to store their merchandise in this haunted house
You've heard that slavers used to store their merchandise in this haunted house
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
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Apollo has been waiting to visit the haunted house since Fola Barun first mentioned it. "Exciting, isn't it? I don't need my crystal ball to tell me this place is no stranger to the occult." He nods to the goblin, "Veecs is correct. Slavers used this place as a storage facility."
He thinks back to the mission briefing. "So we're here to retrieve a dead body, a follower of Pharasma, yes?" He looks for confirmation from the group.
After thinking a bit, he adds, "The light of Sarenrae guides me, so I've never been in a temple of Pharasma. But as the Lady of Graves rules the domains of fate and prophecy, I have much respect. Let's find her follower." He heads up the stairs cautiously, looking and listening.
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Elfino is surprised that his usual sources hadn't told him anything about the haunted house, but regardless of whether this had been a slaver storehouse or an infernal temple, it was definitely spooky.
Elfino nods to confirm Apollo's summary. "Aye, we're lookin' fer a follower of Pharasma wearin' an 'oly symbol as a necklace; prolly summit in de shape of a spiral."
Elfino decides to go up the other flight of stairs keeping his eyes peeled for anything suspicious.
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.
Elfino senses tingle as he swears he spots something come out of the floorboards. When he tries to face it, it is no longer there.
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When Apollo reaches the main hall, he's in awe and muses aloud. "Simply marvelous ... oh, what this place must have looked like in its heyday. But if it's haunted now, that's super interesting too!" He looks around excitedly.
When nothing appears obvious, the oracle casts Detect Magic, rotating his body to scan as much area as possible from the entryway.
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Elfino catches a movement out of the corner of his vision; it looks like something is coming out of the floorboards; but no sooner does he turn for a better look, than the vision seems to fade. "Dat's odd. I could 'ave sworn dere was summit comin' out of de floor over dere."
He steps over to the spot and reviews his memory of the event. "No. I'm certain of it. Dere is definitely summit odd about dis floor. I dunna think we should linger 'ere." He looks around and pointing east, says, "Dis way is as good as any. If we're systematic about it we can get through dis place quickly n be done with it. De sooner we get out of 'ere de betta in ma view."
Haechi carefully makes his way to the easternmost double doors and gives them a good looking over. If he can see past them into the room, then he does so.
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Failing to completely suppress a moan as her body protests climbing the stairs so quickly to keep up (sort of) with the team, Itka enters just as Elfino heads off to the east. "Hmp. Why the rush? A dead body's not going anywhere. As long as it stays dead. Hmp." She limps after him, but isn't interested in being at the front of the pack. Honestly, unless there's more here than a corpse to retrieve, she doesn't think there's much she can do to help.
As you begin to move in and explore, ghostly hands shoot up from the floor. They bear ghostly shackles and manacles that attempt to wrap around you!
The shackles begin to wrap around Roddy's legs! After they wrap around him, they squeeze and then vanish.
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When Roddy groans, Elfino spins around and pulls the shortbow from his back, ready to release an arrow at the halfling's assailant. He catches sight of the ghostly hands as they squeeze Roddy and then vanish. "Are ya ok dere Roddy? 'Ow bad is it?"
He considers returning to look at the monk's wounds, but instead calls out, "I reckon it'd be best if we all got into these side rooms n off de main floor before de ghost 'ands return fer en encore. Follow me in 'ere Roddy n I'll 'ave a look at yer wounds."
And with that, Elfino opens the door (if there's one left) and quickly steps into the easternmost room.
Elfino doesn't see anything else suspicious in the room, nor does he sense the presence of the haunt at this moment.
Assuming Roddy starts bleeding, Atae quickly bandages the wounds up and stops their flow.
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Relieved that Roddy seemed to shake off the worst of the scare, Apollo says, "Interesting. An actual haunt-ed house." He pauses and adds, "I mean, you hear about houses that are haunted, but they so rarely are." He takes a minute to jot down some notes for their report to Fola Barun, and follows Elfino to the next room and listens at the door.
Not especially keen on being the first one to enter, he smiles and politely says to Elfino, "You first, my investigative friend. I'm right behind you." He follows the elf (or anyone else who goes first) inside.
Apollo and Atae know that this is a Scrabbling Hands haunt. You're aware that the haunt will strike every 24 hours, though each day can be delayed by exorcising the spirits of the haunt (with a religion check). You aren't sure how exactly to put this haunt to rest, but you could assume that, like most haunts, solving the mystery of the haunt usually causes it to become quiet.
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Having missed Elfino's earlier warning, Itka is completely surprised at the appearance of the haunt. She hustles to catch up with Elfino with an alacrity that no one's seen from her yet. Once it's explained, her brow furrows as she wracks her brain for solutions to this haunt problem, with more than one "hmp" as she ponders.