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Helping goblins? Gah, I should have read that job announcement a bit closer.
"That must be it Faehild. Truth be told I was mostly swayed by Sarenrae's call to destroy the undead. Who they are harassing was secondary." That sounded pretty diplomatic. She smiles nervously before shaking Faehild's hand.
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While you're all busy chit-chatting at the docks a goblin walks up to you.
"Yous the longshanks I's meeting?! I's Swik! I's sent by tribe to meet Longshank Paffinders. Lessgo! Tribe waiting!"
With that, the goblin scampers off, leaving you to catch up. They lead you into the deep woods and appear to be lost...
Deep in the Chitterwood Forest, when it seems like the small and shifty goblin that was sent to guide them must have gotten them all hopelessly lost, you stumble into a small clearing where dozens of goblins from several tribes are busy preparing for the upcoming council. It's chaotic, but it's apparent that progress is happening.
The dense brush of the forest gives way to a clearing full of figures dashing madly from one side to the other. Swik, the little goblin who'd guided the way here, rushes off into the thick of the action and disappears in the blink of an eye. Still, there is a method to this chaos. While some goblins finish the construction of a defensive perimeter, others arrange a circle of seating around a large central bonfire. The scent of a feast wafts from cooking tents at the north end of the camp, drawing the attention of all those who scramble past. Before long, though, two figures peel off from the chaos: the first dressed in an outlandishly colorful costume, and the other wearing an oversized poet's cap and a slightly unhinged smile.
"It's them! It's the Paffinders!" declares the second of the pair. He pulls at the arm of the other goblin, grin spreading even wider. "There! I got them, just like I said. Now we don't have to worry about the dead ones, Naalt!"
Naalt shoves a hand into a pocket and takes out a shiny bit of metal. "You win, Libgez." Libgez grabs the trinket and scampers off in the direction of the cooking tents.
Naalt sighs. "Well, longshanks. I hope you'll help us." She gestures, beginning her brief tour of the camp. "We're here to talk war," she says brightly, "but the chiefs are worried about, um—" she sticks her hand in two more pockets to find some wire before continuing, "—problems. You know problems? No one wants to be the ones outside while the rest are talking. But you. You don't need to talk. You can be the ones watching. And fighting, if we need." She pauses, searching your faces with narrowed eyes for confirmation of her next words. "We don't want to be interrupted once the talking starts. You understand?"
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"Yous can help in other places! Mebbe ask round clearing?"
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PREPARATION
Among other activities, you have the option of surveying the surrounding forest, looking for clues about where and how the undead might attack, as well as assisting in the perimeter defenses and making thorough plans of action.
It's late in the afternoon and all hands are preparing for the evening's events. Several menacing-looking goblins are working to shore up their defenses, eyeing others as though looking for good target practice. Other goblins dash around what seems to be the outdoor kitchen, preparing a wide variety of arguably edible ingredients for the grand feast. Several strong, or at least plucky, individuals are putting the finishing touches on what looks to be the council seating. Meanwhile, a select few goblins are merrily sorting through giant piles of various pyrotechnics.
You can aid preparations with one of three general tasks, undertaking a specific check based on how they want to lend support.
While most of the tribe members focus on the council or the physical camp, a few have been sent out to monitor enemy movements. They won't be back until much later, however, so it's up to the Pathfinders to make their own preparations for a potential attack. A PC can get ready for battle in the following ways:
The goblins are pleased to have extra hands around to prepare food, put final touches on the council seating, and otherwise complete the tasks that should be done before sunset. A PC can help prepare for the celebration in the following ways:
The workers shoring up the camp's defenses are mostly from the Spine Thresher tribe and accept offers of aid begrudgingly. You can fortify the camp in the following ways:
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TRIBAL GAMES
While the bulk of the tribes prepares for the meeting, the leaders and decision-makers participate in (mostly) friendly competition. It's a strange kind of diplomacy, with goblins bickering and occasionally lighting each other on fire, and to the uninitiated, it looks like a fight could break out at any moment. You may join in with these impromptu competitions to further diplomatic relations with the goblin tribes.
The chaos of the camp teeters between tension and celebration. While food is prepped and defenses reinforced, occasional shrieks of laughter rise as some goblins compose raucous songs. Groups form, disperse, and re-form as individuals issue challenges and boasts. A sense of camaraderie overrides the tribes' usual antagonism, but that doesn't preclude the occasional friendly fistfight. In the center of the camp, goblins work to construct an enormous bonfire that remains surprisingly stable despite the constant scrabble of daring goblins trying to climb to its top.
Not a scrap of food can go to waste, and what better way to salvage those leftover morsels than to stage an impromptu eating contest? Libgez's unhinged grin stretches wide across his face as he challenges the entire camp with a mischievous glint in his eye. "No one can beat me in an eating contest! Not even you, Pathfinders!" Several notable True Hoard members join in, salivating at the feast before them.
Each contestant is offered a plate piled high with offals, root vegetable tops, and other (technically) edible bits from the evening's feast preparation.
The bonfire is the central figure of the council meeting, and its enormous size indicates its importance. While it appears haphazardly built, it's remarkably sturdy. In a show of unity, each tribe has been tasked with building a portion of the large central bonfire, yet though it can be constructed in whatever way they see fit, it must be integrated and ultimately stabilizing to the whole. The Cinder Seekers are overseeing the fire's construction.
Each tribe has put forth their best performers in a bid to have the most exciting commemorative tune showcased at the opening ceremony of this evening's historic council. While the other performers aren't likely to select a Pathfinder's song as the best, they're interested in hearing what strange music these longshanks have to offer.
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Faehild starts by helping to build the bonfire. The logs are heavier than she thought and she doesn’t stack them quite high enough for a goblin bonfire.
Figuring her skills might work better elsewhere, she helps set a guard rotation. Unfortunately she doesn’t take into account how distractable goblins tend to be.
Then she advises on how best to prepare the goblins with battle plans to protect the leaders. She starts with a proper Viking defensive plan, but then remembers she is dealing with goblins and adjusts accordingly.
Finally she goes to scout the paths around the area.
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Unnerved by the fact that an undead attack seems likely, Agnes goes out to survey the defenses. "No, not like this. You'll need to do much better than this to stop the hordes of the dead." She spends some time dragging more and more supplies to build fortifications.
After she has provided sufficient supplies for the defenses she visits the goblin defenders. She is horrified to see the disorder among the goblin troops. "No, no, no. You don't understand. The dead are legion. You must take this seriously. Do you all want to die?"
Exhausted and hungry after dealing with the goblin defenders she joins the celebrations by entering the eating contest. The goblins grin as they serve her the unappetizing food. Agnes simply smiles and thanks them. "I had worse for years while hiding out in the crypts beneath Yua's Hope."
Afterwards, she assists in building the bonfire.
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"Agnes? Nice name. Love your hair." Nilaglade rides alongside her for a bit. "What do you like to do during evenings when zombie hordes aren't crawling over a town?"
He'd love to get to know the ladies a bit better but... duty calls.
To get Ready for Battle, Nilaglade decides to Scout the Area
Instead Deroff wants to play "catch the sparkles" with the goblins. This takes a while to finish.
Deroff is still playing around, but the goblins are getting exhausted. They're glad he's not a dog though. Nilaglade chooses not to correct them.
At the Eating Contest he has no idea how to wolf all this food down.
Before he can start, Deroff tries to scarf it down. And keeps going. And going. "Hope you don't mind, he gets hungry fighting off the uh... dogs and the horses."
Deroff tries to haul logs to aid with the Bonfire Construction but he ate a lot of food and tires out quickly.
Kyra strolls around the camp, taking it all in. If you look closely you can sometimes pick up the facial expressions of someone horrified and disgusted at particular activities the goblins deem as normal.
"Well, best we get down to business. I can tell you one thing, the dead in this part of the Chitterwood are likely former Chelaxian soldiers who could not rest or arisen Hellknight mercenaries. They typically move in small groups that fight well together. We may not be lucky enough for simple zombies and skeletons." She practices drawing her holy symbol like a gunfighter's pistol.
"Let's make sure we have this seating correctly so everyone can be involved in the meeting."
"Let's get these barricades stronger."
She helps the other build the bonfire.
After doing most tasks relatively poorly, Kyra takes a deep breath and tries to relax, participating in some songwriting and singing. She sings in Kelish, songs of her childhood.
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Faehild attempts to build the bonfire but is surprised by the weight of the wood and can't quite stack them as high. Agnes attempts to bolster the perimeter but appears to have been tired out by the trek inland. Kyra attempts to rearrange the seating order but the goblins stubbornly refuse to listen. Wanting a break, Nilaglade takes Deroff out to the woods to scout the area...
... and runs into something unwelcome. Deroff's howls of alarm bring the rest of you running.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Special Conditions:
** Green areas are difficult terrain
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Those with ** may go
**Faehild - AC 22 (24 w/shield) 54/54
**Nilaglade - AC 19 (21 on Deroff) 33/33; Deroff AC 19 30/30
**Red Agnes - AC 21 64/64
**Kyra - AC 19 32/32
Red
Green
Cyan
Yellow
Blue
Purple
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Goblins are weird. And short.
Nilaglade sits next to Deroff as the wolf drinks from a nearby stream.
What did I get myself into this time?
It would be a great time for a nap, but Deroff's ears perk up.
"What is it, boy? Oh, I see. Call for help!"
Deroff howls as Nilaglade mounts him.
"Yeah, that's a mess."
Flames form in his hands. "Stand still Deroff. I'm gonna light 'em up!"
3 >Blazing Bolts< form in his hands as he starts hurling them at the skeletons.
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Faehild charges Blue and demolishes it with her first strike. Her second strike heads to Red but misses. Nilaglade shoots three bolts of fire and detonates Yellow and Purple. Red manages to duck in time.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Special Conditions:
** Green areas are difficult terrain
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Those with ** may go
Faehild - AC 22 (24 w/shield) 54/54 (AC 24)
Nilaglade - AC 19 (21 on Deroff) 33/33; Deroff AC 19 30/30
**Red Agnes - AC 21 64/64
**Kyra - AC 19 32/32
Red
Green
Cyan
Kyra moves up to support the more agressive of her team "These seem to drop quick, I'll save my more powerful stuff for later." She reassures both herself and the group, firing off vitality magic towards red.
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"Oh dear." Agnes freezes for a moment as terrible memories of undead assaults bubble to the surface. She cocks her head, listening to voices only she can hear. She nods and her eyes go white as the voices of those who fell at Yua's Hope urge her to action.
Gripping Sir Karl's sword tightly she surges forward and strikes heedless of the threat caused by Faehild's opponent.
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Kyra unleashes some goodness at Red but amazingly, Red manages to tough it out!
Agnes loses her temper and charges Green. She runs past Red but doesn't elicit a response. Her sword wooshes past Green but her return stroke crashes through. Her sword has difficulty finding purchase but the sheer power of the strike compensates.
Red swings its scimitar thrice at Faehild.
for
for
for
The first strike bounces off the shield and the other two strikes miss completely.
Green attacks Agnes before raising a shield.
for
for
Cyan totters up to Agnes, swings at her and raises its shield...
for
... and whiffs...
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Special Conditions:
** Green areas are difficult terrain
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Those with ** may go
**Faehild - AC 22 (24 w/shield) 54/54 (AC 24)
**Nilaglade - AC 19 (21 on Deroff) 33/33; Deroff AC 19 30/30
**Red Agnes - AC 21 55/64
**Kyra - AC 19 32/32
Red (13 < AC)
Green (-15; AC <= 21; Shield up +2 AC)
Cyan (AC <= 21; Shield up +2 AC)
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Faehild takes a step forward and bites Red. Her tusks contact Red unevenly which reduce their effectiveness. Her follow-up punch breaks the backbone in half, however.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Special Conditions:
** Green areas are difficult terrain
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Those with ** may go
Faehild - AC 22 (24 w/shield) 54/54 (AC 24)
**Nilaglade - AC 19 (21 on Deroff) 33/33; Deroff AC 19 30/30
**Red Agnes - AC 21 55/64
**Kyra - AC 19 32/32
Green (-15; AC <= 21; Shield up +2 AC)
Cyan (AC <= 21; Shield up +2 AC)
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Agnes glares at Green but Green pays her no mind.
She charges it and swings at it with her sword. Green catches the blow on its shield, which shatters and demolishes it. Agnes turns on Cyan but her strike misses it completely.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Special Conditions:
** Green areas are difficult terrain
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Those with ** may go
Faehild - AC 22 (24 w/shield) 54/54 (AC 24)
**Nilaglade - AC 19 (21 on Deroff) 33/33; Deroff AC 19 30/30
Red Agnes - AC 21 55/64
**Kyra - AC 19 32/32
Cyan (9 < AC <= 21; Shield up +2 AC)
Kyra takes a better look at the Cyan undead (recall knowledge +11), trying to dig up some useful information for Faehild, then tries to put it to rest immediately afterwards.
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Nilaglade calls upon magical protections.
◆>Protect Companion< for Deroff,
◆>Glass Shield< for himself.
"Come on, Deroff! We can't let them have all the fun!" He ◆urges Deroff to ride into battle. Deroff has to ◆◆Stride twice to make it.
Kyra watches Deroff run past and can't help but wonder how Nilaglade deals with the fleas...
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Faehild tries to explain the purpose of a guard rotation to the goblins but they can't understand the concept. Agnes yells at the goblins to prepare the camp for battle and succeeds immensely. Kyra tries to improve the barricade but the goblins are too focused on painting silly pictures on the fence.[/ooc]
Nilaglade and Agnes head to the Goblin Tribes and try to compete in the Eating contest. Agnes isn't able to choke down the food but for whatever reason Nilaglade cleans their plate. Faehild manages to make the goblins understand the battle plan. Kyra shows the goblins how to build a proper bonfire.
Kyra heads off to participate in the singing contest. She tries her best, but the goblins don't appreciate the tune. Faehild scouts the area and gains some knowledge of the terrain. Fortunately, no more undead show up. Nilaglade and Agnes go to build the bonfire but Deroff appears to be all tuckered out to move logs. Agnes manages to build the bonfire appropriately.
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Nilaglade and Deroff try to bolster the perimeter but Deroff appears to be too hyperactive to focus...
As the afternoon dips into the evening and the sun begins to set, the goblins' preparations are nearly complete. Several scouting parties trickle back in, including a pair of gourd-masked Bulbheads who dismount their goblin dogs and cautiously approach the party.
The pair of goblins lift their decorative gourd masks as they step up. The older of the two stares with cool confidence, while the other seems to be an apprentice.
"Longshanks! Pathfinders," says the younger goblin. "This is Bilia, I'm Zyk. They scout. They have news. You should listen." Bilia signs a few words. "Dangers," says Zyk, interpreting the signs. "Big, scary-looking longshank types with spiky black armor." With a concerned look, she replies with a sign back, and Bilia nods firmly, signing the same word again. "Undead scary longshanks," Zyk reports. "Beware!"
DC 16 Hellknight Lore OR DC 20 Society
Nodding to Kyra, she says “That whip thing seems particularly effective.”
"Yes, its called Vitality Lash, its very effective against the risen dead and similar creatures." She works to educate Faehild while holstering her holy symbol.
"If anyone is hurt I can patch you up with some bandages if it isn't serious." She heads towards Faehild and Agnes.
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Kyra tries to get a bead on the two goblins, her skills with signing nonexistent so she relies on the translator, who seems to be a bit rude. "Do Cheliax fighters wear spikey black armor? I mentioned earlier I heard risen dead in the area could be from there with good fighting skills." She broaches the question to the group.
"That boney one we fought last, it's a skeletal champion. It's resistant to Slashing/Piercing/Fire/Cold/Electricity. It has the standard undead immunities - Bleed/Death Effects/Disease/Poison/Paralysis/Unconsciousness. It also has reactions." She adds, with a slight know-it-all tone.
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The goblins look at you slightly from exasperation. "They longshanks undead! Yous go southeast. Theys coming from there!"
Once the light of the bonfire shines brighter than that of the setting sun, the goblins begin their tribal council. Naalt and Libgez direct you to patrol the area around the clearing.
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"If anyone is hurt I can patch you up with some bandages if it isn't serious." She heads towards Faehild and Agnes.
"That boney one we fought last, it's a skeletal champion. It's resistant to Slashing/Piercing/Fire/Cold/Electricity. It has the standard undead immunities - Bleed/Death Effects/Disease/Poison/Paralysis/Unconsciousness. It also has reactions." She adds, with a slight know-it-all tone.
Agnes waves off any offer of first aid for her minor wounds which are seemingly healing on their own. "I'm more familiar with the fleshy undead." She pats her bastard sword. "It's good to know their defenses but Sir Karl's sword seemed up to the task."
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As you have earned the favor of the Bulbhead tribe for taking the two scouts seriously, the council has agreed to grant you aid in the upcoming fight.
Despite the noise coming from the council—laughing shrieks, the occasional loud curse, and the punctuations of pyrotechnics—the perimeter of the camp feels desolate and cold. An unnatural mist creeps in as dusk turns to night more swiftly than anticipated, and a feeling of dread manifests along with it. These manifestations appear to be coming from a section of the forest southeast of the campsite. Soon thereafter, the undead arrive.
A knight in Red steps forward and tries to brain Faehild with a morningstar before raising a shield.
for
Cyan moves in and takes a swing at Faehild...
for
... and whiffs... Yellow moves through the high grass and raises its shield.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Special Conditions:
** Green areas are difficult terrain
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Those with ** may go
Yellow (Shield up - +2 AC)
Red (Shield up - +2 AC)
Cyan
**Faehild - AC 22 (24 w/shield) 34/54
Green
Nilaglade - AC 19 (21 on Deroff) 33/33; Deroff AC 19 30/30
Blue
Red Agnes - AC 21 55/64
Kyra - AC 19 32/32
Kyra shivers at the cold as it creeps up from the ground "Its far too cold in the north.. a damp cold." She whines, not paying nearly enough attention to the incoming danger.
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Faehild chuckles at Kyra’s comment about the cold and starts to reply when she gets bonked on the head!
“Ouch! Watch where you are swinging that, bones!”
Seeing that these look a lot like the other dead things they fought, Faehild drops her hatchet and raises her shield. She then punches Cyan since it doesn’t have a shield raised.
She continues to punch things until they go down, focusing on Cyan and then Red.