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We can all go. In case, uh encounters...
cheers
Having eaten and rested in the safety of the Brotherhood's compound within the city, you make your way to the building you are told belongs to the Warrior Maidens of Madarua.
Arriving outside of building, there are four warrior maidens walking the walls of the stronghold.
As you approach, one calls out. "Hold there! State your business strangers!"
Adonius addresses them, "We've heard that you might sell weapons and armor. My friend is in the market. Have we been told the truth about the warrior maidens?"
"It is as my friend and companion says oh lovely and valiant warrior sister." Tekumbray says doffing his hat and offering a bow in greeting to the maiden. He waves a hand toward Cayde, the big barbarian stands like a giant compared to the gnome's diminutive height. "My large friend here is in need of a fine weapon to cleave the limbs and hearts from the enemies of Cynidicea. A sturdy shield to protect the innocent from the evils of wicked cultists and tricky goblins. Contemplating these needs, we deemed it only fitting to come to you Maidens who would surely only offer the best for only the best would suit such fine and glorious sisters of battle." He pauses a moment and then rattles a small sack hanging from his belt. "We of course have means to pay for such goods."
Laying it on a little thick aren't you Tek?"
The feminine voice practically causes Tekumbray to tumble forward from his bow, but he catches himself just in time and manages to sweep his hat back onto his head and he rises. He eyes flick to the side where an thin framed figure with short cut blonde hair and pale skin stands smiling at him with her arms crossed. Her hands tucked within the billowing robes of bright yellow and embroidered silver leaves. He can barely suppress the goofy childlike grin that wants to burst forth, but such a things wouldn't be seemly and could completely square the deal they were trying to make. Still, he did let a small grin twitch his lips while taking in the ghost of Ellery May Thistledown, former Druid of Elbert's Grove.
A close observation reveals narrowing eyes behind the bronze mask of the warrior maiden. She pauses for a few moments, contemplating the request while she studies you before ultimately saying. "Very well. We'll trade with you, but be warned that at the slightest provocation your lives will be forfeit."
A few moments later, the gates open and you are escorted in by four bronze masked warrior maidens.
The warrior maidens take you inside and to who you assume is the quartermaster of the stronghold.
"I understand you wish to trade and have the coin to do so. What is it you seek?" Behind the woman you see numerous weapons of differing types and quality. You assume further back in the room would be armors and shields.
Cayde speaks, saying, ”We are preparing to eradicate the goblin menace, and I have some coin gained from our previous clashes with the cultists of Zargon. I seek a mighty blade with which to accomplish this task, perhaps along with matching armor and shield to protect myself from their counterattacks.”
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Once inside and away from potential prying eyes and ears, Tekumbray approaches the maiden who allowed them inside while Cayde surveys the weapons for purchase. Bowing his head again, he politely removes his wide brimmed hat.
"My name is Tekumbray madame, and as one of your astute nature may have already guessed our purpose in coming to your temple is two fold. Indeed my companion does seek the best and finest weapons for our next foray against Zargon." He says waving his hand toward the rows of weapons. "But indeed, it is also to inform you that the god of your city have released it from its long burial beneath the sands. Baheera and I were part of a caravan crossing the desert that was beset by a sand storm. We survived the ravages of wind and grit only to find most of our caravan lost, dead, or scattered. Yet, despite our desperate situation, the gods provided. The great pyramid of Cynidicea arose from the sands and we were able to find shelter, food and water from your sisters so long trapped in that ancient place."
"Some of the survivors of the caravan still reside within the pyramid. Guests of the brothers and sisters. For this is the news I must share with you. The Magi, the Brothers, and the Maidens have all united so that Zargon can finally be defeated and the city free of his foul influence and rule. As proof, I bring you word that the way to the pyramid is no longer blocked by Zargon's cultist. We defeated Darius and his hobgoblins. Now we seek to take the fight directly to Zargon."
"As my companions mentioned, we will strike the goblin caves first. A victory there will prove the veracity of my claims, as well as give you time to seek your leaders in the pyramid."
He looks at the stores of weapons, armor, and other gear and nods with approval. "It is well you have maintained such worthy stores, for the fight to come will be hard. But if you love your city and wish to see it free of Zargon's oppression, then ready yourselves, for soon the time will come for the cities true defenders and champions to unite and defeat the evil that has plagued it for so long."
The quartermaster seems to ignore Tekumbray's eloquent oratory, directing you to the various arms and armor the Warrior Maidens have available.
After showing you all the arms and armor available for purchase, the quartermaster looks at you and plainly states. "Destroy the goblins and other servants of Zargon in the caves and return to us. If you are able to return to us you will have proven yourselves worthy and we will support your efforts against Zargon."
”Sounds good to me,” says Cayde, pulling out his coins and counting out 300 platinum pieces. ”I’ve got an edged weapon already, so I will take the magic breastplate, the magic studded leather, and the magic warhammer,” he says, figuring negotiating on price would be bad form after their bold declaration.
Cayde tosses the magic studded leather armor to Tekumbray and says, ”Upgrade your kit while you have the chance—I can’t have our smooth talker getting himself killed while we are destroying the goblins.”
To the others, he offers, ”This is probably the last chance we will have for a while to re-provision. I can stake you guys 100 gp each for anything you need here before we go.”
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Tekumbray graciously thanks Cayde for the gifted armor. The gnome is just about ready to leave when he spots the gleam of polished metal emanating from the corner of the armory. Stepping closer he realizes it is a blade very similar to his own in size and weight. With permission from the maiden quartermaster he carefully takes the blade and passes it through the air in a series of quick, deft slicing motions. The balance is superb. Much better than his own and he can sense the slight tingle of enchantment upon the finely forged metal.
The fae ghost at his side nods her own approval at the weapon. A fine choice my friend. And likely you'll be needing it. She shimmers with a ghostly shiver. I never did like goblins. Filthy, nasty creatures coming at you by the dozens if not hundreds. Best be careful in those caves else you'll end up a spirit drawn to some poor sod who's about to d...errr...sorry. A shrug of ethereal shoulders. Just be careful is all I'm sayin'.
Tekumbray nods quietly at both ghost and quartermaster. Accepting the ones apology and the others agreed price. After handing over a portion of his own gold and gemstones to cover the cost, he quickly changes both his armor and weapon. Well armed and with full canteen and ample rations, he turns to his companions.
"Shall we set forth?"
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With your gear purchased from the Warrior Maidens, you are escorted to the gates of compound and set on your way to the goblin caves.
You skirt the southern edge of the cavern, walking passed what appears to to a civic park of sorts, filled with carved rock formations and enormous mushrooms. Contining on you go passed what appears to be a series of long abandoned buildings that still seem to be structurally sound. Could this make for a base of operations should you need it?
Finally, you approach a pair of rock bridges that span a narrow portion of the lake. Looking at the far side of the lake, you see a cliffside, pockmarked with cave entrances. A closer inspection reveals a number of goblins scaling poles and climbing ropes between the entrances.
It would seem if you are to go in any of those caves, you will have to find a safe way down the cliffside.
”I’ve got a rope and I’m decent at climbing,” offers Cayde. He looks for a safe-ish way down to the first level of caves, where perhaps aided by a rope they could make a safe entry.
"Aye. I can become a giant spider, but I won't be able to speak."
"As a spider, I could take one of you, too." Adonius offers while he helps to look for a safer way done.
While Cayde and Adonius look for the best place to secure their ropes, Tekumbray readies his climbing kit. As he puts on the harness, he glances down to the lake and along the length of the cliff.
"How do the goblins get into the city?" He asks looking to see if there were boats or rafts tied up at the base of the cliff or some other means for them to climb up to the top so they could reach the city by land. "They must have some way if Zargon uses them to keep the population in check or even just as laborers."
"For the initial descent, I can re-enter my lamp. which al'Adhaa can carry, and fly down while invisible." Baheera chimes in, having remained silent until now.
As Tek studies the cave structure, trying to figure out how the goblins get in and out of the cave system and into the city, he notices a series of poles and ropes connecting the various layers of cave entrances along a series of narrow ledges at the individual cave mouths. Additionally, there seems to be conveyor of sorts with large buckets that goes into the lake and all the way to the top of the cliffside.
Certainly, that covers the how the goblins get about the cave system and out, but does not reveal any normal or obscured path for the goblinoids to get from the caves to the city and/or pyramid. Perhaps the drugged nature of the citizenry of the city simply renders them uncaring of the goblin traffic and given the breeding habits and speed of goblinkind, likely in too great of number for any of the followers of the Three in the city to deal with without catastrophic losses.
Observing the goblins, Tekumbray gives up trying to determine any patterns or organization amongst the creatures. After all, the small pests were practically the poster children for chaos. Instead he turns to his companions and points at the pole reaching the summit of the cliff near the southern most upper cave.
"Between our rope, that pole, and Baheera's ability to fly down, most of us could reach that initial cavern quickly and with little delay." The gnome says, scratching the stubble growing on his chin. "I wonder if it would be best for Baheera and I to go first in case there is a guard or something near the entrance. If we could dispatch them quietly and not raise an alarm, then I would guess the rest of our effort will be easier?
Looking about at the dirt and dust, he reaches down and grabs a handful and begins to pat and rub in on his clothes and face. "It isn't much, but given my short stature, I might be able to pass as one of them just long enough to get in close. If one of us whistles an all clear then Cayde and Adonius descend." He pauses, considers the number of things that could quickly go wrong and looks up at the two big men with a wide grin. "Or if all hell breaks loose, you just hurry down and rescue us."
Despite the number of goblins skittering about, in and out of the various cave entrances, the incredibly stealthy crew slinks down to the first ledge and enters the first cave mouth they see.
Once inside the cave, you take a brief moment to retrieve Baheera's lamp and wait for the genie-kin warlock to emerge.
The party now completely reformed begins to move down the cramped, narrow, and winding passage. Moments later you see the flickering of what must be firelight coming from a chamber up ahead. Also you hear the guttural sounds of goblinspeak, possibly half a dozen beings up ahead.
Adonius-spider hangs on the face of the cliff and pauses by a cave.
Adonius-spider squeezes out of the entrance hallway and enters the large cavern walking along the wall above the ledge that leads away from the hallway toward the next tunnel.
Blackened blade drawn, the dust coated gnome creeps forward like one of the dead ghosts that roam and follow him in grim silence. Barely a grain of sand shifts or whisper of air stirs as he passes along the narrow confines of the tunnel. Upon reaching the end, he carefully peers around the jagged rocks to scope out how many sit gabbling about their fire and and how well armed these goblins appear to be.
As he counts and identifies those closest threats, he signals back to the others with a series of gestures using a hand well hidden behind the edge of the opening and his own body.
Creeping along, silent as the incorporeal dead that haunt him, Tekumbray approaches the chamber opening.
Peering in, he sees six goblins - all armed with blades and crude bows - sitting around a fire bickering and eating gods only know what sort of flesh. A quick glance reveals four additional passages out of the chamber.
Meanwhile, the Adonius-Spider skulks along the outer wall, looking to see what lies inside the other cave mouth along this ledge. Much to the druid's dismay, the chamber is full of goblins - fourteen of them to be exact. Fortunately for Adonius, they do not seem to have noticed the large spider clinging to the cave entrance.
Adonius-spider slowly returns to his companions, (now that he understands the map).
Hopefully, he would get there fast enough to attempt to web their first goblins.
Conferring in soft whispers, Cayde says, "Let us go after the ones in the chamber with no exit first (#12). The key here is not letting any get away to alert the others."
Tekumbray glances back toward the small circle of goblins, shrugs his shoulders and quietly slips back down the cavern to meet back up with his comrades. With a nod to Cayde the gnome readyies his bow and follows the giant spider down the length of the other cavern. Nearing the other entrance, he finds a suitable shadow filled nook to hide in and takes aim at one of the nearest goblins.
The party slowly and methodically make their way out of the first tunnel and head toward the second.
In position, Tekumbray waits for a nod from his comrades before quickly drawing and sending an arrow streaking toward the nearest goblin.
Cayde rushes in right after the arrows, trying to stay at the entrance of the room opening to keep any goblins from escaping.
Tek starts off the fray, lacing an arrow into an unsuspecting goblin's throat. For his part, Cayde rushes in intent on cutting off any escape for the goblins.
Adonius-spider enters the cavern with his companions but climbing on the ceiling.
Before they can twitch, he tries to web one of them.
If Cayde has an action left after moving, he will smash the nearest goblin with his warhammer. If not, he will ready to hit one of it gets into range.
The Adonius-spider successfully sticks one of the goblins to the floor with a glob of web.
The Genie-kin warlock takes aim at one of the closest goblins with her usual blast of force and thunder, killing the unfortunate creature, while Cayde waits for the eventual charge of the vermin.
Seeing his first target fall with a surprised gurgle, Tekumbray shifts his sights to the next vile little foe. Although his heart pounds in his ears, Tek retains a cool, calm outward demeanor nocking another arrow with a single swift motion before drawing and firing.
Cayde continues to block the exit, ready to smack any goblin that tries to get close .
Goblins rush the barbarian, Cayde cuts down the first easily but two others are able to strike at the barbarian, with one slicing into Cayde's side with a curved blade.
Two other goblins move to the back of the chamber with one opening a concealed door in the cave wall while the other scurries down the newly revealed corridor.
Adonius-spider continues climbing on the ceiling following the escaping goblins.
He is unable to generate anymore webbing at the moment so closes to melee with the bolt hole entrance.
The Adonius-spider closes to melee range and bites at one of the goblins attacking Cayde, but fails to land the strike.
Moving to a better vantage point, Baheera sends an eldritch blast crackling toward the nearest goblin.
Baheera's blast ends the life of another one of the goblins before two others rush in to attack Cayde and the Adonius-Spider. One goblin's strike misses the barbarian, but the other's attack lands on one of the spider's legs.