Round 5
Mulkuk carefully moves onto the log, and takes total defense.
"C'mon now, Kiss'ya, set your feets and make it a good strike," Mukluk offers helpfully.
Saya is ready to strike again after having dropped one, but her focus is shot, ironically, by Mukluk offering advice.
HP: 10/13
AC: 18/12/16
Saves: F4/R2/W4
Hero Points: 1
Smite Evil Used: 0/1
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
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But her focus is shot, ironically, by Mukluk offering advice.
Mukluk waits to see what Durgan can do.
Durgan moves up and hacks at a goblin, but misses.
Rory talks well, but can’t follow up his threats. Kisaiya also misses her quarry. Mukluk continues to watch. Durgan moves up into a shrub and attacks clue but can’t find a way to injure it.
Blue, amazed at how well he’s doing, jumps up and down on the log, laughing in his tiny little voice as he stabs at Kisaiya agin!
Though blue misses, he cackles like it was a success! "I got you!"
Orange, trying to figure out how the stick works, stares at the burning head dead on - and it goes off! He takes a point of damage and is blinded for the round as he screams, running around in circles sure he’s blind forever!
Red laughs at Rory’s misses, steps back, and throws his spear!
Alas, he also misses.
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Mukluk waits to see if Durgan and Kisaiya will clear the way.
"HAW! HAW! HAW! There you go Stormy! Give them the whatfor!"
Durgan tries to finish off the nearby goblin, but the combination of bad luck and inexperience continues to prove challenging...
GMPC Kisaiya
Kisaiya swings her weapon one more time, hoping to wound the goblin on the log.
Rory steps up and misses but Storm takes him down - he lies bleeding. Kisaiya gets a strike in at last, and her powerful blow drops the goblin with one fell swoop. Mukluk waits for an opening. Durgan struggles with Lady Desna as he continues to miss the goblin.
Blue drops before trying what would surely have been a devastating attack!
Orange gets his sight back and steps away from Rory in supreme confidence. He points the stick in Rory’s direction and is amazed when nothing happens! Realizing he's alone, he turns and tries to run, but he's out of actions.
Purple dies, drowning in the marsh.
Round 6
"HAW! HAW! HAW! That was a good one Kiss'ya! That's how you do it! Are you watchin' Roresy!?" Mukluk double moves up.
[ dice=Trepanator]1d20+1[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=]1d6[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=MuleBite]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Divine]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=MuleKicks]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Force]1d4[/dice] damage
AC: 12/12/10 + 1 w/shield
Fort/Ref/Will: +1/+2/+6
HP: 7/7
Focus: 0/3
Hero Points: 0/3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Mule bites: 0/7 used
Round 7
Mukluk takes his pick, the Trepanator, and drives it into the head of the blue goblin.
piercing damage
"HAW! HAW! HAW!" Mukluk cheers. "Now this one won't get back up. Sometimes they get back up." And he wretches out his pick, looking for the next one to offer trepanation.
"HAW! HAW! HAW!"
[ dice=Trepanator]1d20+1[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=]1d6[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=MuleBite]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Divine]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=MuleKicks]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Force]1d4[/dice] damage
AC: 12/12/10 + 1 w/shield
Fort/Ref/Will: +1/+2/+6
HP: 7/7
Focus: 0/3
Hero Points: 0/3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Mule bites: 0/7 used
Durgan's remaining action last round is to move onto the shore.
This round, he moves around and past dead or unconscious goblins to finish off the last one, finally landing a solid blow.
Rory connects but for little damage as Storm can’t quite grab the blighter in her jaw. Mukluk spikes one into the turf. Durgan moves up and plasters the last goblins skull - dropping him to the wet soil.
The last goblin falls and the noises of the swamp rush back in on you. They were probably always there, but the focus of the battle, the adrenaline rush, drowned them out briefly.
The stick the goblin held, drops to the ground and launches another flare into a rock where it sputters out.
Mukluk will move to the next goblin and and drive it into its head. He will make sure none of the goblins get back up. When that is finished, he will look to see how Kisaiya is getting on with her wounds.
"Ayep, they are all murdert now. That'll learn them not to mess with the roads," he says, putting away his pick. "I wonders if they have any more of them fireshooters? I wonder, I did..."
Mukluk will search for loot or things of interest.
Mukluk searches the bodies and finds a whopping five gold worth of mostly copper. There is one more firework as well - a Star Candle (link).
It’s identical to the one the goblin was using, though it is not as wet as the goblin’s which was causing it to only work intermittantly.
Durgan cleans off the muck as best as he can. He watches as Rory starts collecting the ears for the bounty.
Ten gold is a lot. I wonder how much the Sheriff expects to hand out in total? Hopefully he has a solid estimate of the total number and has budgeted appropriately.
"Yes, ready to move on."
"HAW! HAW! HAW!" Mukluk holds up the star candle with a smile. "We got one of them fire shooters. Not sure where they would have gotten this, but it seemed to keep them distracted so that was nice."
Mukluk, if there is nothing else, is ready to move on. He stows the candlecracker in his belt pouch for the time being.
Kisaiya breathes easier now that the battle has ended. She looks over her wounds. ”Not the worst. Figures I’d be the only one to get hit.”
She sighs. ”Well, that’s a start. We should be careful with the fireworks, as we could draw every goblin in miles if we are cavalier with them.”
You continue on the path, winding and weaving through the swamp another 800 yards or so until you come to another bridge in the muck. The last was a substantial log, which was a little slick, but otherwise passably sturdy. This bridge looks rather less so.
It’s a rope bridge in a ‘V’, with three ropes. Two are set higher up to hold on to and one heavier in between to walk upon. Where it’s not fraying, it’s been repaired - and not always well from the looks of it. In some spots it has been repaired several times. It will be tricky to cross (difficult terrain) and might be dangerous (knowledge engineering for more - anyone can try for some info at least).
Know (Engineering, untraint)
Mukluk decides to apply his considerable knowledge to the bridge situation, and tries to come up with a good solution, like...
...is there another way across this or a better path?
Know (Geography)
"It's definitely a bridge of some sort, that's for sure."
Durgan tries to assess the bridge. He first consults the Manual of City Building and then says some prayers to Abadar.
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The dwarves eye the bridge. First, they do agree, it’s a bridge. Further, and more importantly, it seems sound to them. A little rough around the edges sure, but someone has been tending it. They feel it’s safe, though perhaps just one person at a time. The bottom bundled rope is wide enough for Storm to make the crossing with care.
Rory checks out the waterways nearby. You’re on a slightly elevated portion over the water in this area, so there’s a drop of about 8’ or so to the water below. You’re closer to Sog’s Bay to the west, according to Mukluk, which explains why the water, while still slow moving, is deeper and broader here.
You could slide down the embankment (acrobatics DC 10 or fall prone), swim across (swim DC 10, 30’), and climb up the other side (climb DC 20 due to the soil embankment falling away as you try to climb). Or you can try the totally safe rope bridge (acrobatics DC 5 or reflex DC 10 to catch yourself or fall to the water 15’ below for no damage (but now you must swim and climb)).
"Meh. I'll go across, it's just too bad Moose isn't here. A good sure footed friend is exactly what I'd prefer," Mukluk steps up to cross alone and all by himself. He will move slowly and carefully.
Acrobatics
Even with his armor, Durgan is reasonably sure that he can cross this bridge, as long as he is not distracted by anyone attacking him.
Kisaiya takes 10 and successfully crosses the water.
You each carefully cross and find yourselves safe on the other side. Continuing on, you travel three or four hundred yards further - it’s hard to tell for sure with all the twists in the trail. Sog’s Bay is visible to the west from time to time, but mostly it’s covered in foliage - unless you get off the trail…
Anyway, you come to another bridge. This bridge over the waterway isn’t too bad. It consists of wooden planks nailed to a substantial tree felled over the passage. It’s a little mossy, but otherwise fine.
Proceeding over it, after careful examination I’m sure, you travel another several hundred yards through the marsh, twisting here and there until you come to a muddy trail leading up to a swampy lagoon. The open ocean is visible just beyond these shallow waters - Sog’s Bay.
An old two-story building, its walls soggy with moss and its roof sagging with age, sits on the lagoon’s eastern shore. This is it. The end of the line. This must be Walthus Proudstump’s home. The trial leads right up to the front door.
Mukluk, pot a-jangling, makes his way to the front door. He makes an absurd amount of noise so that Walrus isn't surprised by the onset of random swamp guests.
He will knock on the door.
"Mr. Proudstump, sir? The Sheriff from Sandpoint sent us. We're not here to get murdert! We just want to talk about the goblin problem," Mukluk raps politely on the front door.
There’s a long silence, almost as if there’s no one home. But then there’s a thump and some shuffling. Eventually, after a longer pause, someone walks wearily to the door and opens it.
”Yes?” queries a rather exhausted looking halfling (image) - slightly disheveled in appearance.
"Walther Proudstump?
We are from Sandpoint. Ameiko thought that you might have some information on the Licktoad goblins and Chief Gutwad. They've been causing a lot of trouble for travelers lately, and have been using fireworks.
Have they been causing you trouble? Making any demands? We're trying to find out why they are so active."
Kisaiya leans against the doorframe, looking down at the disheveled Proudstump. ”I hate to impose, but I could use a sit down if you like. I can make you something to eat in payment for any hospitality. I am a cook over in Sandpoint.”
Mukluk snuffles his sniffs and waits to hear the halfling's reaction to the assembled menagerie.
"Walther Proudstump?
[b]”Y-yes?” he says tiredly.
”We are from Sandpoint. Ameiko thought that you might have some information on the Licktoad goblins and Chief Gutwad. They've been causing a lot of trouble for travelers lately, and have been using fireworks. Have they been causing you trouble? Making any demands? We're trying to find out why they are so active."
”Oh, uh, no. They live that way.” He points to the southeast, but adds, ”You’re better off going back the way you came and entering the marsh on the old fish road. Take you right to ‘em.”
He starts to close the door, when…
Kisaiya leans against the doorframe, looking down at the disheveled Proudstump. ”I hate to impose, but I could use a sit down if you like. I can make you something to eat in payment for any hospitality. I am a cook over in Sandpoint.”
”Oh no. I really think the goblins should be your priority.” he looks over your shoulders into the swamp. ”Very dangerous.” He stops, realizing how ridiculous that sounds. He adds, ”In groups.”
Mukluk shrugs, wondering why the Sheriff thought this halfling either needed help or could offer it.
”Whelp, nice to meet you,” he spins on his heel and is ready to go.
Durgan tries to gauge if this Walther fellow is being truthful.
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"Hold up Mukluk, let's make sure he's ok."
Mukluk stiffens, thinking about the request. Rory was asking Mukluk to go back on a ‘whelp’, especially as a pretext to leave. Mukluk pauses to see if this is even possible.
I ‘whelped’. I nearly patted by thighs as I stood up. It’s common custom to know that ‘whelp’ means the end of conversation. This is dangerously close to being rude.
Mukluk internally deliberates.
"Walther alles goed? We hoorden het gebonk en je lijkt een beetje moe."
He responds in perfect halfling with no obvious dialect. He could be a spokesperson his diction is so spot on. ”Het gaat goed met me. Houd alsjeblieft geen rekening met mij, maar ga heen en val de goblins aan.”
- - -
Walthus is lying about something but exactly what you’re not sure. He does seem concerned about the goblins, a little maybe, but there’s something else. Something deeper. There’s certainly something wrong here. Your senses are tingling.
- - -
Durgan is not one to beat around the bush.
"Something troubles you, and it is not the goblins. Since we are here, perhaps we might offer our assistance.
Is it a matter of bookkeeping? I could certainly help there. Or infrastructure troubles such as an unsound bridge (we passed a few), or perhaps you are in need of an exorcism for troublesome spirits in the area.
At least tell us your troubles, and we can gauge if we can be of any help."
Edit as per GM request:
Oops! I forgot, please make perception checks with your next post.
Perception
Mukluk looks at Durgan, then turns to look at Walthus, wondering what he missed.
Kisaiya notes that her allies are pressing the conversation and she begins to look around for anything suspicious she is missing.
"Something troubles you, and it is not the goblins. Since we are here, perhaps we might offer our assistance.
Is it a matter of bookkeeping? I could certainly help there. Or infrastructure troubles such as an unsound bridge (we passed a few), or perhaps you are in need of an exorcism for troublesome spirits in the area.
At least tell us your troubles, and we can gauge if we can be of any help."
He readily switches back to Taldan common, like it’s a second language to him. ”Nothing for you to be concerned with I assure you. If you can go deal with the goblins, I’m sure I’ll get some sleep and feel better.”
- - -
Storm doesn't like the smell of this halfling, but perhaps he's just less clean than Rory.
"You are using some sort of disguise magic in an attempt to deceive us. I saw it. Who are you?"
Durgan casts Shield and draws his axe.
Suddenly, the creature… changes. Though it remains small, it now resembles a wrinkled, hunch-backed humanoid creature with mottled brown-and-red flesh and a spherical head with no true face. In place of the face, there’s only a crooked slit from which a rasp-like tongue periodically lashes and licks the air - seeking.
Ugothols (as faceless stalkers call themselves) are one of the many tools created and then discarded by the aboleths in their long war against the surface dwellers. Scorned by their former masters when the scheme for which they were designed unraveled, the faceless stalkers fled into swamps, marshes, or any other dark, wet places they could find—the closest they could come to the aquatic cities they once considered home.
One question for each five you beat the DC as usual.
- - -
The creature hisses at you, clearly a call to arms. Now that you're seeing its true form, you see a number of snake bite marks on his legs. Some are clearly infested with poison from the black ooze coming from the wounds!