Kisaiya nods to herself as she flicks the blood off her sword. She had thought that she must not have been cut out for this lifestyle, but experience is giving evidence otherwise. Maybe she really just was unlucky before when she left to seek adventure. Those thoughts linger in her as she pauses to feel the weight of those she just slew.
After her moment of reverie, she heads over to the double doors to the east. Presuming her allies are ready, of course.
"Ah yeah, we got them good. That was some good work!" Mukluk moves from goblin to goblin, trepannating as he goes. "HAW! HAW! HAW!"
When the last goblin has been holed, he will be ready to move on and follows Kisaiya to the east.
Having dismounted long enough to help with the unenviable job of collecting ears, Rory hands the ears to Mukluk, "Yeah we fight well together, but this collecting ears still sucks." He smiles as he hands the pile to Mukluk, "Maybe we should have brought Moose to carry them." Winking at the dwarf he returns to Storm and mounts up.
Riding up beside Kisaiya, he reaches towards the door, "I'll open this side, you step in. If there is anything in there Storm and I will try and flank." Grasping the latch he attempts to open the double doors.
These double doors appear to be barred from the inside. You can see a handful of frightened goblins within, crowded around a central figure you can’t make out from the gap in the door.
Try and lift the bar (disable device) or use brute force (strength)? Whatever your method, go ahead and make two checks as they don’t notice you right away. The group seems to be arguing.
For those not working the door, we are in rounds, though not in initiative as yet. Feel free to give me two rounds of actions.
Durgan speaks Goblin. Can he make out the conversation enough to figure out what the vicious little monsters are saying?
It's hard to make out exactly, but Durgan gets the sense that it's a handful of advisors arguing with the goblin ruler. They appear to be arguing over what to do, as you may imagine. They seem to believe you are skeletons there to "take back treasure." Others argue all the treasure has already been taken, and this attack is something new.
Of course, I'm clarifying a bit. It's really hard to follow as they're all yelling at the same time, pretty much at the top of their lungs. Loudest one wins.
That will be most of your two rounds, listening and parsing. You may of course place yourself on the map and equip the weapon of your choice and any other minor actions as you listen.
”If we’re here to slaughter this entire village, we need to get in there. But if we want to find out about the skeletons, we might want to chat more. Any of you speak goblin?” Mukluk asks, happy to do whichever, but won’t be happy killing non-combatants.
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Looking from Kisaiya to the dwarves, Rory is happy to discuss options, But he doubted if the goblins would give up their ears willingly. When Mukluk asked if anyone could speak goblin, Storm turns and gives a happy 'woof' wagging his tail. Meanwhile, Rory rolls his eyes, "Don't believe him, I don't speak Goblin and neither does Storm."
Durgan is in position with axe in hand.
"I can speak Goblin. Do you think they will surrender to us if we promise to keep them safe from skeletons?"
Kisaiya is trying to remember what she knows about skeletons as the others discuss languages. She just shakes her head at the question about speaking goblin. ”I will not kill anyone who refuses to fight.” She looks inside, her expression pensive. ”If they are no threat, I see no reason to break in.” She nods towards Durgan. ”Tell them we will leave them alone and deal with the skeletons if they tell us about the skeletons and this treasure. And give us any of this treasure they still hold. If these undead are bound to it, it may be necessary to return it to quiet them.” She is silent a moment, deliberating whether to say more. Finally, she speaks again. ”Know that Shizuru places great value in truces and punishes those who break them. If one is agreed upon, I will honor it with full faith.”
Mukluk nods, agreeing with Kisaiya.
”But also tell them that is they mess with Sandpoint, they are likely to be murdert by those less kind than ourselves. Don’t mess with the longshanks. Tell them that,” he adds to Durgan.
Durgan sighs.
"Fine. I am not certain that they are 'no threat' - they are robbing and mutilating travelers which is the original reason we are out here. They might refuse to fight us only because we can defend ourselves. That is not the same as being a noncombatant.
Even so, there is more going on here and it is good to have information."
He calls out.
But we want information about the skeletons and their treasure. Tell us the tale, and give us any skeleton treasure you still have, and we will leave.
Then, for your own sake, do not bother Sandpoint again."
The party makes plans, and eventually calls out through the door for a parlay - a quite reasonable request. From the screaming of the goblins within however, it sounds unlikely. Little curs.
Someone with a higher pitched voice, a leader no doubt as they’re able to shout over the others, ”Attack! Attack!” However, it sounds as if there’s a scuffle.
Round 1
Mukluk stands around picking his ass, picking his nose, and picking his pick. With the door stoutly shut, he can only wait to see what happens.
Kisaiya bristles at Durgan’s admonition, but she waits to hear the goblin response before arguing the point. As the tension breaks for battle, she sighs. ”I’m not killing anyone that doesn’t fight back. That’s the end of it.”
She enters her battle stance, draws her crowbar and moves to pry open the door. She hopes that maybe removing their protective barrier will take the fight out of them.
Durgan also waits for the goblin attack.
Nodding in agreement with Kisaiya, "I won't kill anyone not fighting either. But, I would ask them to leave the swamp and head further away from town."
As the scuffle starts in the room, Rory notices Kisaiya drawing her crowbar. Momentarily mistaking it for a weapon until he see's her jamb it in the door. Reaching up he grabs hold, "Let me help!" Grabbing the cold steel he twists his knees, "Come on Storm move away from it."
Mukluk takes total defense and waits it out. Kisaiya tries, and fails, to break in the door - it’s sturdier than expected!. Durgan also waits. Rory aids another trying to burst the door - but they’re still slightly short. So close! Walthus delays until the door is opened.
- - -
You can tell from the sounds, there's a full scale battle going on beyond these doors!
Kisaiya growls in frustration as her first attempt falls short. She waits for Rory and anyone else who wishes to help before trying again.
Holding on to the crowbar, Rory almost loses his seat as Storm turns under him. Sounding panicked, he tells the wolf, "Hey, hey hey, not that fast!" As the big woman growls, Storm turns and looks her way as Rory settles back on the saddle and gives a tug.
Rory successfully aids Kisaiya, and the doors are flung open!
You get the door open and see a strange sight - a throne room.
The walls of the throne room are decorated with numerous poorly preserved horse and dog heads, along with other trophies like broken weapons, brine pickled bodies of brutally slaughtered furry animals, and other bits of grisly ephemera.
Chief Gutwad’s throne - a rickety, 5-foot-tall wooden chair with a ladder built into the side that the goblins call the “Teeter Chair” - sits against the southern wall and Chief Gutwad is standing in it! (Image)
The other goblins in the room are all trying to attack him - presumably to give you his head. They don't seem to be doing well. The chief has a lit firework - rather larger than what you've seen so far, and he's pointing it at the goblins and shrieking.
Mukluk and Durgan to go!
Durgan will keep using Total Defense and will try not to smile too much.
Mukluk politely waits for others to charge in before he does. He’s willing to let others go first, let alone let the goblins finishing their fighting.
Mukluk delays, waiting to see what happens. Kisaiya pulls the crowbar again. Durgan remains in reserve. Rory successfully aids and the door flies open! Walthus seeing the others wait, does the same.
You watch the goblins, stab and slice up at their leader - standing on his throne dodging and weaving and keeping them at bay with his firework.
He shows what leadership is in a goblin village as he is hit but once. Then his candle goes off! There’s a loud explosion and a white light blossoming from within the hut - and an awful lot of smoke.
vs DC 15
vs DC 15
vs DC 15
vs DC 15
vs DC 15
Kisaiya, Rory, and Storm are singed by the blast, but take no damage or suffer any ill effects.
When the smoke clears, orange and the chief are the only two still standing. Orange starts shouting in goblin that he can't hear anything, "Oh woah is me!" while the chief appears to be temporarily blinded.
Still, the chief pulls a stick on his throne and opens a secret panel next to his throne. He steps off his chair and to the doorway as the thatch ceiling of the hut starts to burn…
Oh, everyone make a perception check at the top of their round please.
"Blast! I hate the smell of singed wolf hair!" Cursing as the smoke starts to clear, Rory see the chief trying to leave. Clicking his tongue at Storm, he tells the wolf, "Git him." As they move past the goblin, Rory draws his gladius and slashes at the chief while Storm snaps at it trying to drag it down.
hero points 1/1?
Rory HP: 10/10; AC: 19, 14, FF 15 CMB 1/CMD15 Perception: + 10
Storm HP: 11/11 AC: 18, T 13, FF 15 CMB 2/ CMD 15 (19 vs trip) Perception + 7
Rory Conditions = Focus:
Storm Conditions = Focus: Tiger + 2 dex
Weapon equipped gladius: Att + 5(+ 4 dex, + 1 size) 1d4, 19/20x3, P or S
Storms’s Bite: Att: + 2 (BAB +1, Str +1) Dam: 1d6 Str +1 Crit: 20/x2 + trip (CMD +2)
Spells Known (Caster Level 1, Concentration +, DC 12+lvl)
. . Orisions known@4: know direction, light, mending, spark,
. . 1st (2/2) Obscuring Mist, Entangle,
Move action to snag (it's not that large - you can hold it in one hand by the handle) if you want to sacrifice your attack.
- - -
Seeing the red silk covered box under the chair the chieftain had jumped out of Rory forgets temporarily about his attack and grabs the box in his bucklered hand, resting it on the saddle-horn as Storm snaps at the goblin.
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Kisaiya’s eyes pop at the sight of the goblins turning on their chief. Her surprise turns to satisfaction at the goblins showing that they are willing to cooperate. Her satisfaction turns to anger as the chief destroys so many of his people with the stolen firework. She rushes in and slashes at the chief, hoping to end this conflict as quickly as possible before any more die.
HP: 13/13
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.
Durgan is pleased that the horrific monsters are slaughtering each other. Guess mentioning the bounty was a good thing.
Seeing that the leader is escaping, he follows Kisaiya in attempting to put an end to Chief Gutwad.
Round 2
Perception
Mukluk moves up to attack orange.
to hit;
cold iron piercing damage
[ dice=Trepanator]1d20+1[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=]1d6[/dice] cold iron piercing 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
Mukluk steps up but can’t quite paste orange. Kisaiya rushes in and swats at the chief hitting solidly, though she does draw an AoO. Durgan moves in and absolutely pastes the chief - but he refuses to fall! Rory grabs the red box, and Storm bites the goblin chief thanks in part to his blindness - and brings him down! Walthus drops the remaining goblin through the door before it can cause further mischief. He hits the already wounded goblin once.
All the goblins are down and bleeding. Unfortunately, the ceiling is falling - and it’s on fire!
Everyone in the room, please make a DC 12 Reflex save for half of 1d6 damage (min 1 so Storm doesn't need to save).
The fire is spreading quickly to the walls and supports. However, even at a glance some of the chiefs gear looks very fine - especially his armor. But you’ll be engulfed in flame soon. We’re staying in rounds for the sake of the fire.
Round 3
Reflex
Mukluk is torn between sticking around to poke holes in the heads of the burning goblins and burning himself to death. He decides to not die in the fire. He double moves out of the fire zone.
Durgan picks up Chief Gutwad's corpse and calmy leaves the burning room. A heavy load for him is up to 200 lbs, and he isn't slowed by being encumbered (moves at 30' regardless).
Kisaiya is not prepared for dodging fire and takes a direct hit. She picks up another of the goblins in her free hand and runs outside after the others.
Seeing the others heading out of the burning building, Rory, using his knees, turns Storm towards the door. "Let's get out of here Storm." The wolf spins and runs away from the fire, winding easily past Kisaiya but almost scrapped Rory off as he squeezed past the wider dwarves.
Pausing at the end of the hallway, near the southern door, he turns the wolf and smiles, "So this door next?"
hero points 1/1?
Rory HP: 8/10; AC: 19, 14, FF 15 CMB 1/CMD15, Fort: + 4, Ref: + 7, Will: + 3
Perception: + 10
Storm HP: 10/11 AC: 18, T 13, FF 15 CMB 2/ CMD 15 (19 vs trip) Fort: + 5, Ref: + 5, Will: + 1
Perception + 7
Rory Conditions = Focus:
Storm Conditions = Focus: Tiger + 2 dex
Weapon equiped sling staff: Att + 5(+ 4 dex, + 1 size) 1d6, x3, 80 ft. B
Storms’s Bite: Att: + 2 (BAB +1, Str +1) Dam: 1d6 Str +1 Crit: 20/x2 + trip (CMD +2)
Spells Known (Caster Level 1, Concentration +, DC 12+lvl)
. . Orisions known@4: know direction, light, mending, spark,
. . 1st (2/2) Obscuring Mist, Entangle,
Mukluk double moves out of the immediate fire zone. Kisaiya grabs a goblin and goes. Durgan grabs the chief and leaves as well and with speed. Rory grabs the chest and goes while Walthus also retreats from the fire.
"So this door next?"
The party retreats to the courtyard where the slightly smoking pile of goblins remains. Thatch catches thatch and the dry wood of the upper floors burns quickly - aided no doubt by all the refuse acting as kindling. The fire quickly gets out of hand.
Before long the whole place is burning brightly - and you fall back behind the fetid pool for additional safety. You think it’s probably a good thing that you’re in a swamp - the fire won’t spread far. You see the occasional goblin fleeing the burning structure, but they avoid heading in your direction as much as possible - and I presume you don’t hunt them down.
After a time, the blaze dies down and it’s just embers and a few flare ups here and there. The goblins are truly and fully routed.
The goblins are truly and fully routed.
"HAW! HAW! HAW!" Mukluk roars at the fire, wondering how many ears they just missed out on. "Well, that's one way to do it. Easier than what we were trying to do, I'd say."
Slightly burnt, Mukluk looks around to decide what to do next. Seems like the party is done here, and he might want to march back for some rest.
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Kisaiya makes no motion to fight any of the fleeing goblins. She calls out to warn of the fire so they can scatter. Dying in battle is one thing, but just as—even when cooking—she would not boil a lobster alive, nor would she leave the defeated goblins to burn alive if she has the power. Perhaps it is selfish, a way to soothe her conscience. Every time she has felt guilty, and she has often felt guilty, she wonders if the guilt is her way to balm the consequences of her actions. She knows how hard it is to survive in the wilderness scattered and with nothing. Perhaps it would be more merciful to own the deed and save them that. But no, they deserve to make that choice themselves. They did evil because they chose to do so. This intervention is their chance to choose differently.
Either way, she cannot bring herself to feel any joy at this victory. She completed a necessary task, no more. And if, when she returns, Ameiko smiles that cocky smile at her, it will have been worth it. And that is what makes her feel the guiltiest of all.
She turns over to Rory. ”What was that box you took from the throne room?”
Realizing as he asked the question that no doors would be next, because the goblin buildings made of wood and thatch were about to burn to the ground. Turning Storm towards the courtyard they escape into the fresh air. Stopping near the tall woman, he watches the goblins flee. Realizing Mukluk was probably right, burning them out might have been easier. Wondering what the goblins will do, Rory feels Storm shift under him, watching the goblins the same way the wolf watches a fleeing rabbit. As the wolf turns and looks at him expectantly, Rory shakes his head, "No Storm, no chase." The wolf droops his ears and tucks his tail a little, but stays there near the others.
Hearing Kisaiya's question, Rory remembers he has a box. Shrugging, he admits, "I don't know, I saw the silk and thought it would burn easy. I grabbed it, so it wouldn't catch fire." Turning the box around he looks at it for a moment, then shrugs, holding it up to her, "Here take a look."
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”Yeah,” Mukluk focuses his attention on the box. He looks from the box to Rory, then back to the box. ”What’s in the box?”
Durgan lacks Spellcraft or Knowledge (Arcana), but he can tell that the goblin chief's gear looks decently well-made.
"I can prepare a spell to check for magic auras tomorrow, though I won't be any good at interpreting them. Only knowing if things are magic or not. Any of you have that skill?"
You can gather more goblin ears (10gp ea, x4) from the two you brought out.
On the chief’s body (just to get that out of the way) you find:
Chain Shirt +1, small (1,250gp)
Skyrocket Firework (link) (50gp)
Arrows, animal bane (40gp ea, x5)
Potion cure light wounds (50gp ea, x2)
Longbow, composite (+1), MW, small (500gp)
Spear, MW, small (301gp)
Then there is the beautiful lacquered wood chest, on the smallish side, covered and embroidered with red silk and gold thread and lined with luscious red velvet. The patterns are very different from what you’d have expected and include etchings of cranes and frogs playing along a beach. There’s some mold damage, but it’s still quite beautiful and easily cleaned up with the right magics.
- - -
Red chest (150gp)
Shuriken, MW (6gp ea, x6)
Long hairpin with red pearl (150gp)
Gold and ivory fan depicting a gecko walking amid cherry blossoms (180gp)
329sp, 112gp in loose coins (144gp)
Inspecting the fan quickly reveals that someone, likely a goblin, has painted a crude map on the backside. It’s very crude, but is that Brinestump Marsh?
- - -
Kisaiya’s brow furrows as something about the items feels familiar or reminiscent, but she cannot place that feeling in anything concrete.
Shrugging his shoulders in response to Mukluk's question, Rory dismounts, "Don't know but it shouldn't be to hard to figure out." Setting the box down he opens it up. "Looks like a few ladies items."
Turning towards Durgan, "I can't detect magic." As he walks towards the body of the chief, "But that chain shirt looks like it will only fit Walthus and me." He looks over to Malthus then towards the others. "Anyone mind if I keep it?"
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Geography
Know (Local).
Mukluk blows out his cheeks, then offers his opinion on the origin of the box. ”Minkain, I’m sure of it. That box has come a long way. And me, and Moose of course, always traveling like we do, we seen all sorts of things. And we know what that is. It’s from Minkai. I’d know it like I know the hairs on Moose’s neck, I do.”’
Mukluk feels like his close to making a connection on the box top.
Mukluk picks at his burns, knowing that he needs time and rest to heal them.
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Kisaiya nods in agreement as Rory takes the chain shirt, seeing no reason to object. She then restrains a gasp as Mukluk points out the Minkaian provenance of the items. ”Of course! I should have recognized it immediately.” She takes up the fan and looks it over, cautiously opening it and closing it. Her expression is thoughtful. ”If this is what the skeletons were guarding, then perhaps there are more artifacts from home there? Perhaps even from my ancestors who came over from Minkai!” The excitement builds in her voice as she realizes they might be related to Ameiko, too. What a wondrous thing it would be to surprise Ame with treasures and trinkets from her homeland! She can imagine the shock and glee on her face as she tells her. Her own cheeks flush at the thought. ”I know that we all bear wounds—myself most of all—but I think we should investigate this place with the skeletons, if we can find it. We should not suffer undead to linger anyways. And I would very much like to see more of what they are guarding.”
You can gather more goblin ears (10gp ea, x4) from the two you brought out.
With Chief Gutwad, Durgan is not bringing back just the ears, but the entire head, for the 300 GP reward.
Durgan looks at the map but can't make any sense of it.
"Hmm."
He turns to Rory.
"Yes, feel free to keep the Chief's armor, but I would wash it first."
To Kisaiya, he responds "I can take care of our injuries."
He calls on the power of Abadar to heal the party.
Walthus leans over the map and tries to figure it out.
vs DC 10 to aid
Walthus is no help. Never the less, he says, ”I don’t spend much time in the southern swamp. There’s a witch here, but we leave each other well alone. So I won’t tread on her turf. I was in this for the goblins,” he gestures to the still burning wreckage, ”And that’s done. You make sure to tell the sheriff what I done right? Tell him I’ll see him by and by for my reward.”
”You can always stay at my place if you need somewhere’s to rest up a bit though - and you're welcome. Least I can do…”
”So whatchyagonnado?”
As I see it you know the goblins got fireworks from somewhere. You also know they were attacked by the skeletons - whose trail is fairly decent to the southeast. Rory can tell you though that in a swamp, that trail will go cold fast. If the cave isn’t really nearby, chances are you won’t find it tracking them.
You could also head into Sandpoint to get help deciphering the goblin scrawl on the fan. Sheriff Hemlock You could go to the witch’s shack too, though Walthus doesn’t recommend that.
Smiling as Kisaiya shrugs and Durgan says he doesn't care, Rory nods his head. "Clean it up, right."
Ignoring the conversation about the fancy box, Rory Pulls the armor off the dead goblin, dropping it beside Storm. Grabbing a rag from his saddle bag, the halfling spits on the rag and starts wiping the armor off. When Storm notices what his rider is doing, he starts to lick the armor as well. Very soon, the armor is as clean as most of Rory's gear.
Hearing his fellow halfling was headed back home, Rory waves, "Thanks for the help Walthus." Remembering how good the halfling cooked he smiled. "We may take you up on the offer to spend the night."
Donning the armor, Rory points back to the 'footprints' left by the skeletons, "I can try and track the prints visually and Storm may be able to track by scent. But I won't make any promises."
If you decide to track them, please make three tracking checks. The first is pretty easy, then a little harder, then hard as you travel deeper in the swamp.