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Yigrig Moneymaker, the powerful goblin merchant, slumps in a large chair. His face, normally so proud and assured, looks troubled. “It’s good to see you, Pathfinders! I have a lot of respect for the Society. You’ve been good to me in the past, and my family has aided you in return. But today I come before you, my hat in my hands, in need of help."
“My family and I have almost brokered a trade agreement between the cities of Solku and Oenopion. It’s a beneficial deal, one where Solku gains the materials it needs to defend itself, Oenopion gains a new trading partner, and everyone stands to make a heap of coin. There’s only one issue standing in the way of the negotiation being finalized: a bridge must be constructed over the Elemion River to facilitate safe travel between the two cities. My family is responsible for building and maintaining this bridge. It should have been a simple job… easy to pull off."
“It has been anything but easy.”
The old goblin leans forward. “Every morning at the work camp, it is discovered that more of my children have been pulled from their beds in the night, presumed dead. Every shipment of aid I send gets attacked. The last one I sent did not even arrive."
“There is a lot of money riding on this deal, but I admit this isn’t about money anymore. This is personal. Someone is harming my family and I can’t sit by and let that happen."
“I have contracted the Pathfinder Society to protect the bridge and surrounding work camp while construction is completed. I have a caravan ready to leave, filled with new workers and supplies for the bridge site. I want you on it. When you see it safely to the bridge site, I need you to stop the attacks on the camp by any means necessary until the job is complete. When you get to the work camp, you will meet my son Zig, the overseer of the project. Sweet kid… takes after his old man. He’ll be your liaison with the workers and see to your needs."
“Nothing is more important than family. Nothing. And so, I’m asking you to take care of mine. Our future is in your hands.”
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A deeply smoldering emotion burns in Itka's eyes as Yigrig speaks of the loss of his children. With a voice as melodious as a boulder being dragged over gravel, Itka responds: "I will do whatever it takes to protect your family." ...as I was powerless to do for mine, back then. But I am stronger now! Curse be to Zon Kuthon! Her face sinks into an expression of revulsion for a moment before she forces it back to her customary grouchy frown.
Itka is a grumpy-looking half-orc woman with silver-streaked black hair and bland gray skin. Her posture is so hunched that it's hard to tell just how tall she'd be if she stood to her full height. In her left hand is an remarkably thick cane , which thunks loudly on the floor whenever she hobbles forward.
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"Fear not, friend Yigrig, we shall watch over your kin," says a tall man in homespun robes. He is of slender build, but his body mostly devoid of body fat. He carries no weapon of note, save for a sling on his belt and a quiver of javelins on his back.
"Greetings, friend Itka, I am Loong Laohu. I know my name is difficult to pronounce, but my friends and other Pathfinders call me Tiger. You may do the same, since it appears we will be part of this adventure together."
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A goblin sits down, wearing a pastry hat and smelling of fish. Several cooking knives clank against the seat as he shifts, but the silly grin he walked in with quickly fades at Yigrig's story.
"So like... bridge isn't haunted or nothin... just a bunch of jerks murderin' us greenskins? So like... when we find 'em we dun need to like... try to talk them down or find out their um.... I think the paffinder book said somethin' bout mo...tives? None of that? Just beat 'em up and take their stuff? I uhmm... just wanna mek sure cuz like... the recruiters all said stuff about not bein' stabby vagrants and tryin' ta see the bigger picture"
Gizzard puts major air quotes around 'bigger picture' and pauses before continuing.
"But if they're murderin' our kin... Well... really your kin... but yeah... kinda also our kin... I'm not really that keen on listenin' ta their sob story or nothin. Imma happy ta help keep your kids safe... I'm prolly not much older than 'em though. Do they like sue-she?"
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"This whole thing sounds grim. I've never had an actual family but I can see what they mean to those that do. I'm up for some sneakin' around and seein' what we can find out. We're not 'stabby vagrants' but sometimes action is necessary."
The young human man smiles at the last part. He sports scruffy, shortish dark hair and stubble and is wearing dark leather armour to match. Belted safely by his side are a shortsword, knives and a light mace.
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"So like... bridge isn't haunted or nothin... just a bunch of jerks murderin' us greenskins?
"Probably not much talking. Since the attacks began, information has been spotty getting out. However, I know that some sort of large animals have been attacking the work camp during the night, and something else has been aggressive toward anyone that tries to leave or enter the site, no matter what time of day. Bandits? Animals? Accounts have been conflicting, but whatever they are, they’re dangerous.”
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Gawira looks around at her companions. Small for her size, the halfling's presence feels larger than life.
"Aha! Why yes! We will get to the bottom of whatever is happening.". She touches her bow and gives the goblin a wink. "You're in the best hands, now that Gawira is at your service."
The Jaric halfling, from the Barrier Wall near the Mwangi expanse, is heavily tanned. She carries herself tall. "If these are slavers or anything of the sort, we will root them out. Nothing will stop me!"[b]. She claims herself as an unofficial Firebrand. [b]"Is there anything else you can tell us about the area?"
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Grog puffs his chest out, "Grog help Goblin family man! Family is important.!"
Grog is large for a Goblin and well muscled yet with a tad of a belly on him. He wears a breastplate and carries a large pick and a few other weapons. Around his neck is a wooden symbol of a mug. He also seems to have a flask or three poking out of pockets and a small cask under his back pack.
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Grog puffs his chest out, "Grog help Goblin family man! Family is important.!"
Grog is large for a Goblin and well muscled yet with a tad of a belly on him. He wears a breastplate and carries a large pick and a few other weapons. Around his neck is a wooden symbol of a mug. He also seems to have a flask or three poking out of pockets and a small cask under his back pack.
"Couldn'ta put it better myself!"
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Grog realizes that the area you will be visiting is home to great beasts such as lions, panthers, dire wolves, and more. Such creatures might be responsible for the attacks on the camp.
As you finish talking to Yigrig, he leads you to a goblin caravan. The goblin caravan consists of 4 Huge wagons and 20 nervous goblin workers. It also contains a trove of supplies including wooden beams and food. The leader of the caravan is a goblin named Muckmuck, who remains terrified of his responsibilities and fearful of what could happen on the ensuing journey. He has little to say to you and doesn’t contribute much beyond driving the caravan. Because many goblins loathe horses, the caravan’s wagons are pulled by camels.
Muckmuck laughs to himself. “You longshanks think you can protect us? You can’t save Muckmuck. You’re weak. Face facts. We’re all going to die."
“You sit there in the back and talk to the workers. We’re all scared. Doesn’t matter what we do. We’re all going to die."
“Tell you truth, I don’t want to go. Yigrig reads too many books. He’s lost his mind. We all think about leaving before he gets us killed. Not help that the minstrel lost hand in teethbrushing accident. Much blood. Can’t play lute anymore."
“Tell you what. You want to help? You be the minstrel. Make fancy music. Make goblins feel less likely to run away. Convince them we’re not all going to die.”
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Itka is more than happy to take a seat in the back, easing down like an old arthritic crone. "Hmp. My singing will likely do the opposite. But I can come up with other ways to entertain them."
She casts Mage Hand and begins using it to make mischief among the goblin crew. She uses it to pluck leaves from the plants they're passing and surreptitiously place them on unsuspecting people's heads, uses it to give people bunny ears, and sends it to pick invisible boogers from a few noses. For her grand finale, she uses it to pull the corners of her mouth upward into a smile. The effect is a little off, as she hasn't addressed her deeply furrowed brow-frown. It's like half her face is being forced to be happy and the other half wants to end whoever's responsible for this travesty.
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The caravan takes two days to reach the camp with one overnight stay on the side of the path. You have the chance to speak with the goblin workers. Just as Muckmuck says, they are terrified to travel to the camp. However, the caravan is filled with goblins, and despite their fear, their wandering attention span quickly turns to revelry in its many forms. The night is filled with fights and cackling laughter as the goblins try to impress you and each other with feats of physical prowess.
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Gawira is caught up in the revelry. "Aha! Watch this!". The tiny halfling lays down her weapons and other items. She tumbles through the group, dodging the stomping feet of the goblins. Anyone watching can tell she is having a blast!
At the end, she jumps to her feet. Her voice squeaks, "Look at me! I'm MuckMuck.". She's laughing hysterically and not entirely sure her antics are appreciated.
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Gizzard grins. Hey guys! Watch this! He sheds his armor, then pulls out a pair of knives and gets to work on the evenings provisions, transforming a rather bland meal into... well... a meal only a goblin could love.
"I present to you... horse do-overs!"
He piles them up on a tray, then balances the tray on his head as he leaps around passing them out to anyone whose mouth is open long enough to receive one.
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Jonas will attempt to Impersonate MuckMuck and Yigrig after sitting quietly for most of the journey.
"Oh no! I, MuckMuck, have been transformed into a longshanks!"
He changes voice
"It was I, Yigrig! I thought it might give you an advantage. You can help me reach books on high shelves now!"
He carries on an imaginary conversation between the two for a while, putting forward the benefits of working together.
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As they are getting on the wagons Grog looks up at Muckmuck. "Who you calling a longshanks? ", grumbles a little and jumps on board.
Grog will happily attempt to lighten the mood for his fellow Goblins. First off he will pass around a small portion of good whiskey when muckmuck isn't paying attention, to each of them. He will then do his best to brazenly climb anything that looks dangerous.
After he falls, he gets back up, laughs and says "Gravity.. it killer!"
lastly, he makes up a quick play he performs at the back of the caravan where MuckMuck is less likely to see and hear. It is called "Tha Gobbo who don't know what longshanks look like."
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Revelry never was Itka's strong suit. She only recently came into a situation in life that allows it, and years of habit are hard to break. Even so, she gives it a go. First, she uses body language and some of Muckmuck's favorite phrases to alternately mock him and give him backhanded compliments.
Once her back and hip begin hurting too much from those antics, she eases down between the fire and one of the wagons to begin a shadow puppet show about a clan of goblins that rampage through a longshanks wedding. They eat a ton of cake and barf it up all over the place.
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Tiger begins with a few flips and somersaults. He quickly realizes his mistake as he slips from the wagon, nearly breaking his ankle. Hopping along he quickly recovers the stumble as he climbs a tree.
Gawira tumbles through the group, like some sort of bouncing goblin. This makes quite a few of them fall over in laughter. This causes her mockery of MuckMuck to fall on deaf ears.
During this time Gizzard whips up a delicious meal, not that goblins know the difference. Pipping hot the chef twists through the crowd tossing balls of meat across the air to its occupants mouths, where they are rightfully burned.
Jonas begins an imaginary conversation between two of the goblins. This causes the others to choke on their Horse do-overs as Muck muck sneers. Grog makes jokes as he stands high atop the wagon for all to see and hear.
Itka's back and side begin to cramp from ll of her antics, but the shadow puppet show seems to capture every single goblin's attention.
Eventually the evening's festivities wind down. The goblins bed down, tired from all the fun and, at least for now, oblivious to the dangers they're heading towards.
After a bit of chatter, you bed down for the night. With the morning sunrise comes a fair amount of activity as the caravan prepares to continue. Muckmuck checks on them as they're about ready to set off.
"You did good last night. Still going to all die, but at least everyone not worried about that right now. Ok, we go now," the caravan leader says, walking away and getting everyone moving.
The travel to your destination continues to be smooth... until it is not. You're probably less than an hour away from your destination when a goblin up front shouts "We're ambushed! Run aways before we all die!"
This cry immediately causes the goblins to scatter. What is also does is reveal that six men a little over thirty paces away. Each holds a flask with some sort of liquid in it!
Gawira
Grog (Orange)
Tiger
Itka
Jonas
Gizzard
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Bandits
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Gizzard recognizes the flasks as alchemical fire as the group begins to spread out among the convoy of wagons. Grog whips a stone through the air as it hit one of the bandits in the chest. "You're going to regret that!" He gasps for his breath. "Take out those wagons." The bandits circle around as a couple toss some alchemist fire onto the wagons. The chemical explodes across the wagons, igniting the dry timber.
Gawira
Grog (Orange)
Tiger
Itka
Jonas
Gizzard
Wagon 1 (1d6 Persistent Fire)
Wagon 2 (1d6 Persistent Fire)
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Bandits (Pink -5)
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"Hmp. Wasteful cowards." Lip curled in disgust, Itka grabs a blanket from the wagon and begins beating out the flames.
That finished, she turns to cast Guidance on Gizzard and Tiger.
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◆ Hunt Prey vs Orange
◆ Create a Diversion
◆ Hunted Shot vs orange
Gawira focuses her attention on the bandits in front of her. The halfling studies the human with all her attention.
"LOOK OVER THERE!" Gawira points off to the left, hoping to create just enough of a distraction that she can shoot her bow. And with two rapid shots, she does just so!
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Gawira begins to hunt down one of the bandits as she creates quite the diversion. Hiding behind the burning wagons Gawira fires a pair of arrows at the bandit. Grog's pickaxe misses wildly as the smoke begins to get in his eyes.
Tiger's stone misses, dropping his sling to the ground. Tiger rips a blanket out of the wagon and begins to beat the embers until the fire goes out in one of the wagons while Itka takes care of the other.
With the wagons taken care of Itka offers a small bit of guidance to the others. Jonas ducks down and drives his blade up into the bandit's midsection, nearly running him through. Gizzard rushes in and tries to swat at the bandit with his sap but misses as the bandit side steps.
Wounded and afraid, two of the bandits drop their weapons and begin to flee. The rest of the bandits stare i shock. "What are you doing? Get back here!" Three of the bandits circle around and toss more alchemist fires onto the wagons, igniting three of them in flames.
The bandit confronted by Gizzard draws a shortsword and stabs at the small goblin.
Gawira
Grog (Orange)
Tiger
Itka
Jonas
Gizzard (8/15)
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Bandits (Orange -3)
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Jonas continues to fight almost silently, drawing a second, smaller blade. He catches the eye of the orange bandit, weapons lashing out in a deadly pattern.
◆ Interact - draw weapon (dagger)
◆◆ Twin Feint
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Tiger assumes a stance and viciously claws the bandits back. Itka maintains her blanket, putting two of the wagons out before they get little more than singed. The bandit ducks as Jonas' blades swipe at his neck.
Gawira
Grog (Orange)
Tiger
Itka
Jonas
Gizzard (8/15)
Wagon 2 (1d6 Persistent Fire)
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Bandits (Orange -3) (Blue -7)
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Gizzard looks at the bandit in front of him, then back at the flaming wagon... then back at the bandit... then back at the flaming wagon.
"Umm.... ummm...."
He considers both courses of action, then smiles wide. "I've got questions ta ask you! An it'll be hard to keep the fires out if you keep startin' em... so..."
With that he retreats towards the burning wagon.
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Gawira remains hidden between the wagons as he arrows sink deep into the bandits thigh. The group of bandits morale quickly begins to look quite broken as they appear to be ready to flee. Gizzard moves in behind the wounded bandit and knocks the man out with his sap.
Gawira
Grog (Orange)
Tiger
Itka
Jonas
Gizzard (8/15)
Wagon 2 (1d6 Persistent Fire)
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Bandits (Orange -3) (Blue -7)
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Grog's pick sinks deep into the man's chest as he falls over dead from a single blow. The bandits drop their weapons and immediately flee. "Not worth the hassle, let's go!"
The wagon's flames continue to grow in intensity.
Gawira
Grog (Orange)
Tiger
Itka
Jonas
Gizzard (8/15)
Wagon 2 (-1; 2d6 Persistent Fire)