Okishi: DEAD!
Skitterfeets: DEAD!
Goblin Acolyte 1: DEAD!
Goblin Acolyte 2:
Goblin Ranger 1: DEAD!
Goblin Ranger 2: DEAD!
Goblin Ranger 3:
Goblin Ranger 4:
Goblin Rider 1:
Goblin Rider 2: DEAD!
Giant Spider 1: DEAD!
Giant Spider 2:
Giant Spider 3: DEAD!
Giant Spider 4: DEAD!
Goblin Troop 1: DEAD!
Goblin Troop 2: 45/52
Emerald continues to sing as she looks back and forth, uncertain of where to go. After a moment, she decides to do what she can to help and runs up to Betzolte and weaves magic into her words as she touches the enlarged dwarf's arm.
The two goblins dive out of the way of Maidie's spell, if only just barely. As one tiptoes around the pit, the other barks at the spider rider and draws its bow before loosing an arrow the freshly healed dwarf's way, one that is swiftly followed by an arrow from the rider and a blob of webbing from the spider. Two of the images around Betz puff out of existence as the ethereal stuff they are made from is broken up by the arrow and the webbing from the spider. The ranger barking orders proves more deadly, nearly undoing all of the good that Emerald had just done.
Meanwhile, Zeyth-ar flies after the goblin mob and sends one of them flying into the brambles, then into a tree trunk. The mob turns their attention to the elemental warrior.
Grobradon caves in the skull of the goblin rider, giving the stirges a free meal and leaving only the one that had rushed up beside up to attack the rider. She drops her spear and raises her hands in obvious surrender.
After his initial strike, Zeyth-ar shifts position, soaring in a high arc above the troop to the opposite side, where he can both provide flanking for Moon and smash more goblins.
A bit disappointed by the ranger's narrow escape, Maidie moves closer to Betz and levels her wand the archer that's barking orders. Three bright bolts slam into him.
The last goblin in the clearing dead, Erigga swiftly turns and runs north to catch up with Moon.
The ranger races around the turn and wades into the rear echelon of the goblin horde. She puts the elven curve blade to fell use, hewing goblins left and right. ”Goblin souls for Kassen! Okishi awaits you in HELL!”
Arrows (45): xxxxx
Blunts (45): xxxxx x
Iron Arrows (3):
Lead Blades (1): x
Hero Points (3):
Kassen Battle Boon: 1x
Kassen Death Boon: 1x
Protection from Evil – 4 mins – +2 Deflection AC, +2 Resist bonus on saves.
Lead Blades – Rnd 5 of 10 – all my melee weapons act as one size larger.
Histya sprints down the southern path...
As the golbin next to him surrenders, he asks in Goblin, "Good choice. Do you know what happened to the one called Meep, run with me a bit and explain if you have?"
And he moves quickly (Double move) closer towards where the others are planning to angle up to help Erigga and Moon though it may take a while.
Betzolte surges forth from the hedge to strike at the spider, wordlessly roaring in anger!
The stirges pull from their meal and fly overhead the half orc to rush before him
Betzolte cleaves the spider in twain before doing the same to its rider while Maidie and Emerald cut down the rangers with a barrage of spells and arrows, the last screams futilely as the dwarven warmage finishes it off. The goblin mob breaks under the combined assault of Moon, Erigga, and Zeyth-ar, blades and wind tearing the life from goblin bodies with ruthless dispatch. A very few manage to flee the onslaught. Most died before the fear could truly take hold. By the end of the fight, the only ones left alive in camp were the Heroes of Kassen, and one very nervous goblin acolyte (who is actually a druid.)
"Meep? Is that the one Chief Lugruk called traitor," the goblin druid asks Grobradon as she hustles to keep up. She pointedly doesn't watch as Larry, Curly, and Moe swarm a goblin that managed to get past Moon and Erigga in the confusion. "She lives, I think," the goblin answers once Grobradon confirms that is the Meep he is referring to. "Chief Okishi said she heard that Lugruk has Meep and has something special planned for her. That was before we started hearing that something's going on with the Stickfoot tribe."
The goblin shrugs.
"That is all I know. Okishi--She didn't trust me."
When the screams of the dying cease and the battlefield finally falls silent… Moon roams between the single bodies and the sporadic piles of bodies. She pulls a relatively clean piece of cloth off a corpse and uses it to thoroughly clean her sword. It’s an odd picture - a shining sword in the hands of a woman slathered, head-to-foot, in spider ichor and goblin gore. She looks more like a blood-drenched revenant than a half-elf. The faint smile on her face doesn’t make the image any less jarring.
The ranger uses the same rag to wipe the worst of the gore from her face then she rummages through the goods of the more important corpses for valuables and supplies – determined to deny the enemy anything useful. She also finds a bag which soon contains Okishi’s head. She notes there is room for more heads. If things go as planned, Okishi will have company soon.
Magic Loot
12 Potions of Cure Light Wounds
4 Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds
2 Elixirs of Speak with Animals
2 Elixirs of Tree Shape
1 Potion of Magic Fang
1 Scroll of Flame Blade
2 Scrolls of Summon Nature's Ally I
2 Scrolls of Summon Nature's Ally II
2 Scrolls of Summon Swarm
1 Wand of Cure Light Wounds (20 charges)
1 Wand of Flame Blade (34 charges)
Mundane Loot (Small Size)
1 Masterwork Suit of Hide Armor
6 Master Chain Shirts
3 Masterwork Suits of Leather Armor
6 Masterwork Longbows
1 Masterwork Sling
1 Masterwork Dagger
1 Masterwork Spear
2 Masterwork Shortbows
Various trinkets, jewelry, and gems worth 500 gp in total
150 gp, 3400 sp, 10,500 cp
Okishi's signature golden spider fangs are worth 25 gp in just their weight of gold, but to the right buyer could be worth significantly more.
You also find enough preserved and edible (to y'all, at least) foodstuffs for 24 days worth of rations, though they are far from appetizing.
By the time the bodies and supplies are gone through for anything valuable, night has well and truly set in. The cold nips at exposed skin and the dying embers of the fires are steadily losing ground to the encroaching chill. Trophies secured, treasure gathered, and what's to be left behind ruined beyond recovery, even by goblins, you face two problems; where to find a suitable camp, and what to do with your goblin prisoner?
"Lugruk has Meep, at least according to according to this one," He looks at the goblin that told him that and asks, "Whats YOUR name again?"
The goblin that has been following Grobradon around looks at the others and answers in stiff, but clear, common.
"My name is Nalka," she answers. "If you do not like that name, I will gladly take any name that you give me."
Moon’s tone is neutral. ”Are you a healer, Nalka?”
"I am. I know how to heal with magic and with herbs," Nalka answers. "My skill is yours to do with as you please."
”Luck is with you, today. In exchange for healing and answering our questions, tomorrow you will be free to go. Tonight, we cannot risk you alerting other goblins of us.”
Nalka gives Moon a confused look but does what she can to help mend the wounds suffered by the party. Between her and Emerald, the Heroes' hurts are mended, leaving on the physical exhaustion from the long day. After some speculation about just camping here, it's pointed out that there are goblins who did manage to escape and could be looking for revenge and there could be spiders looking for an easy meal. It takes a couple of hours to find a suitable campsite well away from the devastated Manylegs camp, but between Grobradon and Moon, the Heroes of Kassen manage to find one that should be secure through the night. After setting the tent and working out a watch schedule, they get ready to eat and get some much deserved rest.
There is, however, one thing that the Heroes need to deal with, first.
"You said you had questions. I will try to answer them," Nalka says.
Moon shrugs when the group votes to camp elsewhere.
Her questions for Nalka are brief, ”What did you hear about the Stickfoots? What do you know about the horde’s overall plans? An why didn’t Okishi trust you?”
From the loot, Moon takes a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds, a potion of Cure Light Wounds, and the potion of Magic Fang.
”What did you hear about the Stickfoots?"
"There is trouble. Heard Krosk is challenging Zuka to become chieftain. Heard that the Stickfoot elders are struggling to keep the rest of the clan behind Zuka. All just rumors. Nothing more than that," Nalka says plainly.
"What do you know about the horde’s overall plans?"
Nalka thinks for a moment, clearly trying to organize her thoughts.
"Circle the town. Keep anyone from escaping. Then attack when the moon has eaten its fill. Not sure if that is still the plan. Heard that those from the town who were helping got killed."
"An why didn’t Okishi trust you?”
Nalka shifts from one foot to the other, looking away for a moment before forcing herself to look Moon in the eyes.
"I told her not to do this," she says confidently, though she looks as if she doesn't expect any of the heroes to believe her.
”I told her not to do this," she says confidently, though she looks as if she doesn't expect any of the heroes to believe her.
Moon is amused, not skeptical. ”Why did you think that?”
"Long--I mean, big folk would come kill us even if we did destroy the town. They come kill us if we only attack a few of them. If we killed lots, a lot more would come," Nalka answers. Her tone turns more resigned as she continues. "I do not trust Lugruk. He would use other tribes to tire out the big folk defending the town. It would make us weak. He may be a fool, but he is not stupid." She looks back towards the ruined Manylegs camp. "Most of the Manylegs Tribe is still back in the village. Most are too young or too old to fight. The other tribes will take the young and healthy and kill the rest. There is no Manylegs Tribe after today."
”Well, you’re right about most of that. Humans are coming for blood, no matter who wins. Lugruk’s people also attacked the elves, so they also want revenge. And Lugruk is trying to weaken the other tribes. But you may be wrong about the Manylegs tribe being dead. If we win, the Manylegs have a chance to survive because the Bugwump and Bloodmoon will be gone. You could also go back to your village and try to get your people to safety. You may even be able to make a deal with Krosk. He seems pretty reasonable. You may not be Manylegs, but your children would survive.”
Seeing how well Moon was handling the interrogation of the goblin, Erigga keeps herself away in a corner of their camp. She takes a piece of leather and begins to work with it.
Grobradon listens.
Nalka looks surprised as Moon talks about her leading the rest of her tribe to safety, then suspicious when you mention Krosk.
"How do you know Krosk," she asks.
Moon’s gaze is steady. ”You aren’t the first – or even the fifth – goblin we’ve captured and let go. Krosk saw this is a useless war… and it looks like he’s chosen to do better for his tribe than Zuka will.” He looks to the others for confirmation, ”Krosk fought well, but he didn’t strike me as 'bloodthirsty'. I don’t believe he’d kill children.”
"B-b-but--" Nalka stammers as she stares at Moon with a dumbfounded expression. After a moment, she shakes her head as her gaze falls to her feet.
"You are crazy," she mutters before turning back to Moon. "Even if Krosk is willing to take me and the rest of my tribe in, what about him," she asks as she points to Grobradon. "I am his. Not Krosk's."
Moon tries her best to maintain a serious face and tone, but it’s clear she finds Nalka’s statement amusing. ”GROB! Would you come here? Just how many women are you pledged to? Krosk's lifestyle isn't for everyone, mister.”
Cold and weary, Maidie slowly squares away her belongings inside the tent. She is just about to join the interrogation, but Nalka’s last comment and Moon’s reaction makes her pull up short.
”Oh, this should be good. Do we have any popcorn?” she says quietly to Betz, Erigga and Emerald before settling down to watch the exchange play out.
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The Druid blinks in confusion at this , then rubs his forehead, muttering "A do jaké nové vrstvy padlých zemí jsme dnes zakopli, Grob?"
Then he looks at the half-elf who has both stolen his heart, AND could carve said heart into tiny pieces without much effort, "Moon, I care about you too much, and your'e too damned dangerous for me to ever cheat on ya, you know that." Then he looks at Nalka "First. I don't 'own' anybody. Second, your life was spared by us all, not just me. At least so far."
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Moon makes a mental note to learn orcish, if only to understand what Grob mutters to himself.
"Moon, I care about you too much, and you’re too damned dangerous for me to ever cheat on ya, you know that."
The ranger looks skeptical, not at the druid’s sentiment, but rather that he took her words seriously in the first place. ”I was playing, Grob. I know you wouldn’t do that…” She adds with an idle smile, ”…but I like hearing I’m damn dangerous. Makes me feel all...” Moon briefly fans herself.
Then he looks at Nalka "First. I don't 'own' anybody. Second, your life was spared by us all, not just me. At least so far."
The half-elf drives her derailed thoughts back on track, ”That’s what Nalka needed to hear.” She also focuses her attention on the goblin, ”We don’t have slaves and we don’t enslave prisoners. You belong to you, even now. And unless you do something incredibly stupid tonight, tomorrow you will be free to go and do whatever you want. But here is a warning – if you stand against us on another field of battle… we’ll kill you first. We slay those who attack our town, threaten our families, or who betray us when we’ve shown them mercy.”
As Nalka realizes what is implied by her choice of words, she pales and shakes her head vigorously.
"N-n-no! I did not mean that I wanted him to claim me," she squeaks.
After the misunderstanding is cleared up, and Moon has a little fun at Nalka's expense, the goblin sighs as she comes to terms with what is happening.
"Did you really let Krosk go," she asks skeptically.
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The ranger looks skeptical, not at the druid’s sentiment, but rather that he took her words seriously in the first place. ”I was playing, Grob. I know you wouldn’t do that…” She adds with an idle smile, ”…but I like hearing I’m damn dangerous. Makes me feel all...” Moon briefly fans herself.
THAT gets a laugh out of him "I'll try to lighten up a bit." The worry about his mom and the grind of not one battle but many has had a toll on him.
"Did you really let Krosk go," she asks skeptically.
"Feels like forever but yes. He did have to convince us he'd never come after Kassen again. If you promise the same for you and any offspring you have in the future, it would set our minds at ease further."
Nalka looks around the group and doesn't see whatever it is she half-expects and half-fears. After a moment of thinking, she looks up at Grobradon and Moon.
"I can only make a promise for myself. I do not know if what is left of my tribe will listen to me. Still, I promise that I will never attack your tribe or any long--er--big folk again."
With a promise made, a campsite secured, and the tent back up, the chill and fatigue truly sets in and drives everyone into a hasty retreat inside. A hot meal and bath later, one that is sorely needed given typical goblin hygiene practices, Nalka falls fast asleep. The night passes peacefully for the Heroes of Kassen.
The same cannot be said for others out in the Fangwood.
Lugruk ground his teeth to keep the retort burning on his tongue from slipping out. No matter how angry he was, losing his temper with Ganny Black Tongue or Pappy Ruhk would only lead to a quick death or the dissolution of the alliance he'd put together with promises of easy prey and treasure.
Now it was looking as if some of the prey would not be so easy to run to ground. Rumors of dissention in the Stickfoot tribe, may that idiot Zuka be flayed alive for not killing Krosk when he came to power and the news that the traitors to Kassen and Halk's warband had been found dead were bad enough. There was also the attack that had freed the elves, and based on the descriptions the survivors had given, he'd run into the longshanks that had lead it before. The news that something appears to have happened to the Manylegs tribe did little to ease his nerves. It certainly didn't when delivered by a scowling Ganny Black Tongue and the massive ogre that lead the Grul clan.
"The Manylegs camp is large. Surely even if some of them were chased off, a handful of longshanks couldn't wipe out the entirety of the warband," Lugruk reasoned, though even to his own ears, he sounded as if he was trying to convince himself of that possibility. Details were scarce, but the mention of a fearsome elven woman, an orcin man, and a dwarven mage matched what he remembered the night his warband had been driven back and what he'd heard about the raid on the Gruls that had captured the now freed elves.
Again. They were embarrassing him again, he realized. His knuckles whitened as he squeezed on the arms of his war throne before Ganny's voice brought him back to the present.
"I must say, Lugruk, I had thought you more capable than this. I'll not waste my time on an incompetent," she said in a flat, dangerous voice. "Prove to me and Pappy Ruhk that you are capable of dealing with these pests, otherwise, we'll withdraw."
That statement stunned Lugruk unlike anything else in the past months. His blood ran cold as he ran through the implications of what the removal of their support could mean, especially if it's seen as a sign of weakness on his part.
"I understand," he said in a voice that was far calmer than he felt.
"Good," the hag said before leaving in eerie silence. He hated the cackle and how it unnerved him, but Lugruk never knew that its absence could be more disturbing.
He waited until he was sure that the pair were well away from his camp and swore viciously as he tore his throne room apart. It wasn't supposed to be like this! He should be able to crush Kassen with the forces he'd gathered, but now? Now it was all coming apart because of a handful of longshanks that should be dead, damn it!
He stood in the middle of the wrecked chamber for a moment, catching his breath, before calling for Rooshi, Khalakakhan, and the messenger he'd asked for Jugnar Greyfur to leave behind. By the time they had come, he'd composed himself.
"Go to Chief Jugnar Greyfur and tell him I have a task for him. Find the longshanks that are out there hunting our forces and kill them," he told the messenger. The goblin gave him a lupine grin as he saluted and ran off to deliver the Bloodmoon Tribe's orders. Then he turned to Rooshi, who was accompanied by a masked figure clad in black leather armor and dark clothing. The figure was short for a longshanks, but still stood a head taller than any goblin. He smiled seeing his mate's new bodyguard. That will no doubt be a major shock to the longshanks in town once they find out. As much as he wanted to see their faces as they were cut down by his entourage's newest member, he had too much to deal with here at his camp.
"Rooshi, take your band and make sure that the job is finished. Jugnar should be able to hurt them, but I want them dead. Make sure it happens, love."
"Of course, my lord," Rooshi said. "I shall see it done."
Unaware of the reverberations from their previous choices in the larger war... Moon also opts to take a bath and wheedle one of the arcane casters to prestidigitate the gore from her clothing and equipment.
"You can only speak for yourself, yeah. Fair." Grobradon nods.
-------
Grobradon cleans off a bit, and meditates in in the wild, though it can be hard finding meditation's serenity when he's imagining Moon bathing.
The morning comes cold and clear. The sun glitters off the snow and ice where it peeks through the branches and canopies of the Fangwood's trees. Nalka sets off to see what she can do for what's left of the Manylegs Tribe after breakfast, leaving the Heroes of Kassen to decide on what to do next. Consulting the map with the various goblin camps on it. You figure out that the next closest is the Bloodmoon camp.
”Let’s hunt the Bloodmoon. We don’t want to face them when the moon is full.”
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Betzolte joins the rest of the group in bathing and obliges Moon's request to clean her gear.
"See?" she comments to Emerald once they've settled in. "Those spiders weren't so bad. You looked them in their beady little eyes and they blinked!"
The next morning, she wolfs down her breakfast and bundles up, ready to set out herself when Nalka takes her leave.
"Good luck, Nalka. Grundinnar guide and protect you."
If any dwarf god would look kindly on a goblin, The Peacemaker surely would.
She nods at Moon's assessment.
"We've aimed high, we've planned well, and the iron's hot. All that's left is to strike, Torag willin'!"
Maidie also enjoys a bath and relishes the brief respite after a long day of cold travel and hard fighting.
The next morning, she notices that their experiences has once again enabled her to gain more insights from her daily routine of studying her spellbook and arcane notes.
Especially the summoning of the elemental warrior Zeyth-ar draws her attention to synergies and efficiencies in different types of summoning spells. She's confident that she will be able to call even more allies to aid their cause from across the planes.
Her studies complete, she joins the discussion of their next move.
"I agree. Besides Ganny herself, The Bloodmoon are the biggest threat and we certainly don't want to face them during a full moon. This is one fight where it is even more important to be well prepared and careful."
"Bloodmoon it is," Grobradon nods, "We're making progress but Kassen has to face what don't deal with , and frankly, we don't want lycanthropy infections even if our families manage to hold them off."
Emerald gives Betzolte a glare when she brings up the spiders.
"Just you wait, Betzolte. Dragons have long memories and I will remember this," she growls. "Maybe I'll convince some fey to steal all your left shoes and boots or one out of every pair of socks."
Nalka gives Betzolte a questioning look, but keeps any thoughts to herself as she shakes her head and sets out.
As the morning grows late, Grobradon and Moon hear something from ahead of the party further up the game trail they are following. After a few moments of quiet, they are able to pick out the voices of goblins. While the words are too garbled to make out even to their keen ears, they sound none-too-happy.
Moon moves off the trail and sneaks forward, trying to get eyes on the goblins and ears on the conversation.
Histya is less stealthy with her sudden growth spurt… nevertheless she is still slinky and expertly stalks forward with Moon.
With a sigh, Erigga readies her shield and checks her sheath, just in case.
Grobradon gets his sling loaded, trusting Moon to know the stealth game.
Moon and Histya creep up and find three goblins dressed in poorly tanned furs tromping through the snow. After a few moments of listening, Moon determines that they are grumbling about being out here to relay a message to the Manylegs camp instead of finding a good fight.
The ranger debates the options. If they were Bloodmoon, it’d be worth it to see how tough they are as opponents before attacking their main force. And finding out what message they carried for the Manylegs could be helpful. Of course, if it was a verbal message, they’d want to leave one of them alive. She motions to the battle cat and points to one of the gobbos.
Moon lets the goblins draw a little closer before she races forward to attack the gobbos that aren't Histya's prey.
Arrows (45): xxxxx
Blunts (45): xxxxx x
Iron Arrows (3):
Lead Blades (1):
Feather Step (1):
CMW (1):
CLW (1):
Magic Fang (1):
Hero Points (3):
Kassen Battle Boon: 1x
Kassen Death Boon: 1x
Lead Blades – Rnd x of 20 – all my melee weapons act as one size larger.
Feather Step – 20 Mins – ignores adverse movement effects and can take 5’ steps in difficult terrain
Histya races through the snow with her mistress then leaps at the goblin with a snarl, trying to savage it.