Toki drops to his butt and catches his breath, Whew! I could use a drink! Anything left to salvage from this caravan?
The raider seems disappointed to learn that there is not much left, but shrugs and continues on after his companions...
--
At the Silver Eye, Toki is reminded of his days in the Mead Hall back home! He leads the room in a drinking song learned in his travels!
Toki, you should've started that song before your fourth ale! but she joins in regardless. Definitely grateful to have a warm meal and a decent bed for the evening.
Toki just laughs and continues, undeterred!
Once there's a lull in the (kind of terrible) singing, your table is approached by a halfling woman dressed in earth tones and carrying an intricately carved staff: “I am sorry to interrupt, but I was hoping I could speak with you about a matter of some urgency.”
You quickly realize that this is Antola Pilark, Great Druid of Alaron.
Antola explains that her grove is just to the west of Lehigh and she spends a lot of time in the village. For several weeks now, Lehigh and the surrounding area have been under attack by a tribe of goblins led by a hobgoblin named Bulak. Rumour has it that Bulak possesses a magical item that increases the viciousness of goblins and makes them willing to follow him unconditionally, which has resulted in more vicious and frequent attacks on Lehigh, as well as conflicts with other goblin tribes.
Antola believes that Bulak’s clan is lairing in an old cave system that is deeper into the forest. If you are willing to help her out and secure the item he is using to bolster the goblins, Antola can provide directions to the cave system.
*Braaaap!* Toki's belch resounds through the Eye, Well, let us go then! Show us where and we will be there!
The warrior stands, sways a bit, Perhaps we shall sleep it off, and join you in the morn...
The bunny waves at the druid, happy to see someone friendly who is his own size.
The druid is waiting for you when you return to the tavern in the morning. Bran retrieves a breakfast of reheated stew and some small beer, while Antola gives you directions to the suspected lair: "Regrettably, I cannot accompany you -- I need to remain in the village in case there is another attack." Antola's directions involve a lot of animal trails and landmarks by plant species, but luckily Jaylen nods along like this is perfectly normal.
Antola thanks you again for your help, and when you are ready, you set off into the Dernall Forest. You are following a deer run when ahead you hear the sounds of battle.
Someone started the battle without us? Let's go! Drawing his shield and axe, Toki rushes toward the battle!
As you approach the battle scene, you see two groups of goblinoids fighting each other. On the one side are a hobgoblin and four goblins. On the other side, with glowing red eyes and foaming at the mouth, are a bugbear, a goblin boss, and three goblins.
Ummm, maybe we hang back and let them fight this out first, Toki? Knowing he probably won’t wait, she readies her mace but makes no move forward.
Peering into the clearing, Jaylen surmises ”I’m confused, The High Druid mentioned a hobgoblin and vicious goblins but it seems the goblins attacking are the viscous ones.” chewing on an idea, he adds ”Perhaps we call out to confirm who this Bulak is?”
Toki frowns, Best to wade in, lest your place at the table be taken...
He looks back toward the din of battle, but hesitates long enough for his companions to debate... Clearly, looking agitated.
Do you know how to speak their language? I don’t. I guess we could simply yell out the name though.
She holds her hand out to Toki, hoping to stay him for just a moment. But she also looks quite ready to step up to that metaphorical table.
The foaming, red-eyed group hiss and scream: ""
The hobgoblin glances in your direction and says "Yes - Bulak." and points at the group they're fighting.
Toki shakes his head, I do not speak the tongue of the troll...
Well, it seems they know we are here... the warrior tightens his grip on his axe, but looks to the others for the signal to go...
Putting together the gestures from the hobgoblin with the knowledge from Antola Pilark that Bulak's goblins are under some sort of magical influence, he deduces that the foaming mouths and glowing red eyes belong to Bulak's crew.
Receiving a slash across the arm, the hobgoblin roars in your direction: "ARGH! Fight with us!"
That is Bulak, that you fight? Toki calls, clearly hoping for one answer over another...
We should take unlikely allies, they might know more about this Bulak. Let’s go!
She steps up to help take down the slathering creatures.
”Alright let’s do it. Toki, try to kill only the rabid ones. The hobgoblin apparently speaks common. Perhaps we can get more information.”
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Initiative
Two goblins among your temporary allies immediately fall beneath the furious onslaught of Bulak's thralls.
Round 1
Baddies:
- Bugbear (-6)
- Goblin Boss
- Goblin 1
- Goblin 2
- Goblin 3 (-4)
Temporary Allies:
- Hobgoblin
- Goblin 4 (-4)
- Goblin 5 (-8)
- Goblin 6
- Goblin 7 (-8)
Party:
- Braith
- Jaylen
- Jacka-Lope
- Gideon
- Toki
Toki charges forward and swings at goblin 1!
A now familiar form of a brown bear appears as Jaylen transforms and charges along with Toki into the goblins.
Braith moves up next to the line of goblins but is a bit too nervous about this allyship and misses widely with her mace. The brown bear, however, wades in and swats a goblin to the other side of the clearing with one huge paw.
Toki's and Jacka-Lope's attacks go wide, but Gideon arrow strikes true. Not that the goblin (now wheezing through a single lung) seems to notice.
Your new allies rally when you join them and cut down two more of Bulak's crew. The Bugbear is undeterred, however, and delivers a devastating blow with his morningstar. The Hobgoblin (presumably the only one who speaks Common) staggers, but does not yet fall.
Round 2
Baddies:
- Bugbear (-10)
- Goblin Boss
- Goblin 1
- Goblin 2 (-11)
- Goblin 3 (-9)
Temporary Allies:
- Hobgoblin (-10)
- Goblin 4 (-4)
- Goblin 6
Party:
- Braith
- Jaylen
- Jacka-Lope
- Gideon
- Toki
Toki moves forward, stepping over the dead goblins, moves up to the goblin boss, hooks his axe on the goblin's shield (?) and yanks down opening it up to a pair of vicious swings!
Braith seems more assured now!
Circling around Toki, Jaylen sets his sights on the bugbear.
Braith and Jaylen miss their attacks, but Gideon's arrow and Jacka-Lope's magic strike the Goblin Boss. Toki's first attack slams the Goblin Boss's shield out of position, leaving them open for his backhand, which crushes the goblin's chest.
Seeing how quickly you dealt with the others, and since their leader is very badly injured, the Hobgoblin and his two remaining goblins fall back, leaving you with the Bugbear.
The Bugbear takes a swing a Jaylen but almost loses his grip on his morningstar!
Round 3
Baddies:
- Bugbear (-10)
- Goblin Boss
Temporary Allies:
- Hobgoblin (-10)
- Goblin 4 (-4)
- Goblin 6
Party:
- Braith
- Jaylen
- Jacka-Lope
- Gideon
- Toki
Toki circles the Bugbear and swings high, taking advantage of the opening provided by Jaylen and Braith!
Sensing a chance to finish the fighting with a killing blow to the Bugbear, Jaylen strikes out with a savage intensity. Rearing up on his haunches, he claws a the bugbear to send him off balance and then comes down hard to grab the creature’s collar in his vicious teeth.
The bugbear struggles to fend off the bear's attacks but ultimately falls before its ferocious attacks.
The two remaining goblins stand defensively in front of their leader, eyeing you all suspiciously and growling and threatening you with their scimitars if you come too close. The hobgoblin is wrapping her wounds, but when the bugbear falls, she looks over and nods her thanks. Barking an order in goblinspeech, the group prepares to leave the clearing.
Where is this item, inciting the goblins now, eh? Toki eyes the Hobgoblin as she leaves, making sure that she is not taking it with her.
The hobgoblin glances up at Toki: "You speak of the drahokam hněvu... uhf... anger... jewel? Bulak has this." She raises a finger to point generally in the direction you were travelling.
Well, let us pay him a visit...
Yes, let’s go, watching carefully to make sure the others indeed go away.
The goblins grouse a bit at their leader as they head off into the forest.
You continue on your way in the direction of Bulak's lair.
The bunny does hop scotch jumps as he follows the goblins.
Braith is able to pick out where the path resumes when the groups looses the trail, along with
Following the trail left by the goblins was difficult, but you’ve finally arrived at the mouth of a small cave in the clearing ahead. There are two sentries posted outside of the cave, and they’re holding the leashes of two wolves.