"Gronilda, are there any hidden spaces here? Lizzie's aunt said there would be more people here, but I don't see them..."
Skalla begins to search the shrine, tapping on the floor and walls.
"Gronilda, are there any hidden spaces here? Your aunt said there would be more people here, but I don't see them..."
Skalla begins to search the shrine, tapping on the floor and walls.
"That'd be my aunt, and yes she did say so. But i have no idea where else they might have hidden themselves."
"Oh, hey! There's a secret stash over here." *excitement shines in the young rogue's eyes*, she takes out the items carefully.
"I do not know where they might have hidden, but this amulet here... is it not Lirosa's one? I think she uses to leave it here to recharge" Gronilda first reaction is to secure the Erastil's symbol, but she also fetches the wand, including the one found in the stash by Lizie.
"We need to check the other building. Maybe there is people still there" she checks the hobgoblins belongings for anything of use, even supplies, then moves to the next building.
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Skalla meticulously examines the shrine floors and walls, her measured taps upon the slate floor yield a disappointing solidity. She discovers no hidden trapdoors. Where could the other villagers be?
While Lizzie drags out items from the alcove beneath the altar, Grymwold and Gronilda searches the corpses of the hobgoblins, and find
Gronilda definitely helps taking the potions and the other supplies.
The dwarf nods in agreement with Grymwold's suggestion to investigate the shack next to the shrine. "Let's see if we can find any clues about where they've taken Rhyna" she suggests, her voice filled with determination. With a glance at Saélihn, she adds, "Keep your bow ready my friend, just in case"
Once everyone is ready, she pushes open the door of the shack, after a veteran's quick revision for any improvised traps the hobgoblins might have set up.
Saélihn nods, drawing another arrow as they prepare to move on. She makes note of the Erastilian amulet, and grabs some of the arrows to refill her quiver.
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With the shrine cleared of anything that might be valuable, the party steps back outside the shrine, and takes a few steps next door to the shack.
Gronilda checks the door for any signs of traps, but doesn't find any.
The door opens to reveal a humble wooden building with a bed, a writing desk, and a cooking pot.
Inside, four villagers, including two children, shrink back against the wall in fear. "N-no.. Please.. Don't hurt us..," they plead.
A curious boy peaks out from behind the group, his face lighting up in recognition. "Wait. 'Cuz? Is that you? Oh.. It is you!" Lizzie's Cousin, Bradey Barefoot charges forward, nearly stumbling over the desk in his excitement, and pulls Lizzie into a tight headlock. "About time ya found us!"
Behind the child are a halfling man with a weathered face - Lizzie's father, and the proprietor of Phaendar's Green Remedies, Saélihn's mother. Both rush forward to embrace their children in tearful reunions. No one but Skalla recognizes the last of the four villagers here; a nervous orphan she'd teach song to regularly.
However, even amidst the reunion, there's a palpable absence left by the missing Rhyna and the rest of Lizzie's family, and the clamor of the ongoing invasion outside steadily intensifies.
Gronilda gives some time for the meeting of the family to go on, then she asks with worried expression "Where is Rhyna? Have you seen the hobgoblins taking her?"
She looks for supplies in the shack.
Lizzie ducks aside to avoid Bradey's attempt at headlocking her.
"Hands to yourself, Bradey. I am relieved to see you're not dead, but some space, yes?"
The hug from her father she returns gladly.
"Hey dad. I was worried sick."
"But where's mom, where are grandma and granddad?", she knew their absence was bad, but she just had to ask.
"Aiza, my heart, are you alright?" Skalla takes the orphan girl into her arms. "Let's get you all out of here and somewhere a little safer." Knowing that giving her a task will help the child keep her mind off the horrors happening in town, Skalla looks around for something useful that Aiza could carry.
Dashing over to wrap her arms around her mother, Saélihn simply takes a moment to let the worry and fear wash away in a flood of relief, as Ghost moves over to stand near them, letting out a low grumbling sound of happiness. "Thank Erastil you're safe!"
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The shack contains additional supplies in the form of bread, aged cheese and wafers
Roland's expression darkens as he pulls Lizzie close. "When the hobgoblins invaded the shrine, Rhyna and Noelan stayed behind in the temple while the rest of us slipped out to the shack. Your mother was held back helping grandma and grandpa, and... the hobs caught up with them before they could get here," he explains with a heavy heart. "I knew I should have stayed behind, but there was nothing I could do. Told Bradey to be quiet and stay put. It was only a matter of time before the hobs came for us here too."
"They got my dad too. And that Rhyna lady," Cousin Bradey grumbles, stomping a foot in frustration. "Don't care! I know exactly how to deal with these hobgoblins for messing with my family! And mark my words, one day, I will."
"Bradey, always too brave for your own good," Roland remarks with a mixture of fondness and concern.
Hurried footsteps interrupt the moment. Aubrin peeks anxiously into the shack. "We must flee. The streets are swarming with hobgoblins, and time is running out. Across the river and to the Fangwood - it's our only chance. We have to go now!"
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Lizzie is unable to speak, something blocks any sound from leaving her throat, as the dreaded news hits her. She knew it was a likely thing if they were not here, but she was desperately fighting back a couple of tears.
She keeps calm, and just tightly hugs her dad in silence.
When she is able to speak again, she slowly shakes her head.
"I hope mom gave them a beating before it ended."
She looks at Bradey, whom she is certain must have shed some tears.
"Uncle did do in some of them, didn't he? He's the most stubborn halfling in town."
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Saélihn glances over at Lizzie with a look of utter compassion. almost feeling guilty as her own mother stands beside her. She didn't know what she would do in the same situation, but at least she still had family around her...Saélihn's mother was all she had other than Ghost.
Pulling her attention back to her mentor she nods, gathering up anything needed and handing additional supplies to others to carry. "C'mon, let's get everyone out of here. No one else falls tonight."
The tragedies continue to multiply. Grym watches silently as Lizzie and her Father are reunited. The absence of her Mom, Grym's friend hanging heavy over the reunion.
with Aubrin urgently advising us to go there seems to be no other course of action.
We've gotta go and live to fight another day. To the Fangwood!
Gronilda's heart sinks as she listens to the tragic news about Rhyna and the other villagers. She shares a solemn nod with the rest of the party, understanding the urgency of the situation "We must make haste," she declares, her voice firm with resolve. "To the Fangwood, then. We'll make sure no more harm comes to any of you"
With determination, she gets out of the building and engages with Aubrin "We found some alchemicals that might make for an explosion, and we found some diagrams about the bridge. I am no engineer, nor a miner, but back in Kraggodan I saw more than one tunnel to the depths made by brute force. I think we can try to demolish the bridge to buy us some time. It might make the difference for some of our people."
Skalla reaches out a hand to squeeze Lizzie's shoulder in silent support. She feels cold all over as she hears her companion's father recall seeing so many of their family cut down and beyond their help. It is hard to wrap one's mind around the fact that this was it, this was all of them who had escaped the cruelty and savagery of the hobgoblins.
And the danger was not yet past; they needed to make haste and escape across the bridge and into the woods. Hoisting Aiza up in a hip carry after loading a few supplies in a sack to carry on the opposite shoulder, Skalla nods her readiness to the others. She cannot speak, not yet. She feels the knot in her throat, the sobs and screams welling up behind it, and the time for mourning was not now.
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"I hope mom gave them a beating before it ended."
She looks at Bradey, whom she is certain must have shed some tears.
"Uncle did do in some of them, didn't he? He's the most stubborn halfling in town."
Bradey shouts expletives as the party leaves for the bridge. His eyes are rimmed with red, a telltale sign that he's restraining tears, channeling his emotions into a seething anger. "You bet dad fought back while they dragged him away. Punched one of them right where it counts. Not sure what those hobgoblins plan to do with everyone. I... don't want to imagine it." Bradey sniffles.
"We found some alchemicals that might make for an explosion, and we found some diagrams about the bridge. I am no engineer, nor a miner, but back in Kraggodan I saw more than one tunnel to the depths made by brute force. I think we can try to demolish the bridge to buy us some time. It might make the difference for some of our people"
"You found my notes," Kining nods. "It's a shame, but the town didn't want to pony up the funds for me and my crew to finish the build. !@#$ it, I say, and let's blow the thing up. Dwarven construction, and it wasn't being used. A damn shame. @!@#("
"Come. We've saved all we can. We're almost there," Aubrin agrees, leading the party to the bridge.
Colorful gobs of lichen and moss dapple the ancient, basalt bridge at the Marideth River’s narrowest crossing. The bridge arches over the ravine below, which drops twenty feet into raging whitewater and jagged, exposed boulders.
To the northwest stands a ramshackle shed and a weathered but sturdy-looking wooden crane. Twenty-some bloody and motionless bodies litter the ground, and above them flap banners painted with an ominous, fanged red shield.
To the north, three hundred feet past the bridge, a wall of trees and ferns marks the edge of the Fangwood.
As the group advances toward the bridge, Saélihn tries to keep her focus on the task at hand, readying herself for what would likely be a hard fight to defend those that they were determined to get out of town safely.
Going through the gathered gear and supplies, she swaps her bow out for one of exceptional make, the heavy draw would allow her to impart her better than average strength to the flight of her arrows.
As they arrive she scans the area, taking a deep breath, before forcing her eyes to skip over the bodies, focusing on instead, spotting enemies.
Gronilda strides over to Kining, her expression determined as she asks, "Kining, can you tell us the weakest point of the bridge? We need to know where to focus our efforts to demolish it quickly" She listens intently to his response, nodding thoughtfully as she takes in the information.
Turning to the group, she raises her voice resolved, weathered in the Goblin Wars "Before we make our move, we must ensure the area is secure. Let's inspect the shack first to make sure there are no lurking threats. Once we're certain, everyone shall cross the bridge and we'll proceed with our plan to demolish the bridge and buy ourselves some precious time"
With a resolute gaze, she moves towards the shack, shield and hammer at hand.
Earlier:
Lizzie appreciates the support of Skalla, briefly moving her own hand on top of hers.
At the shack, Lizzie inspects the exterior before anyone goes in.
Skalla grits her teeth as she follows Gronilda, stepping over the bodies. She cannot help but look, examine every visible face and try to put a name to it. She will not avert her gaze, she will remember each and everyone of these folks and avenge them when the time comes. But for now, to save those who still live.
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"Kining, can you tell us the weakest point of the bridge? We need to know where to focus our efforts to demolish it quickly"
"The weakest point is the wooden frame," Kining points to the top of the arch. "The bridge needed a new keystone, so I took the cracked one out, and used a temporary wooden frame to support it. Never was meant to stay on for this long."
While Kining is explaining, Lizzie and the party advance towards the shed door. As they draw closer to the bridge, their senses sharpen, and they spot a heavily armored hobgoblin accompanied by a large wolf, patrolling the area vigilantly. Suddenly, the hobgoblin's sharp gaze lands on the party.
"" She bellows.
She raises a crossbow and looses a bolt, striking Skalla squarely in the shoulder. At the same time, her wolf companion races across the bridge, closing the distance until it comes to a stop at Grymwold's feet.
This whole time Grym has been waiting for the group's luck to run out and hearing the cry of alert go up from the heavily armored Hob he knows that sneaking around is no longer going to be an option.
Grym stands his ground as the wolf rushes toward him and meets it with an uppercut of his Hammer
As Gronilda swiftly moves around, the blessings of Erastil empower her, causing her to grow in size, her form radiating with divine energy. With determination etched on her face, she moves around the menacing wolf, her warhammer raised high and striking in unison with Grymwold.
She directs her voice then to the hobgoblin "Let us pass in peace, and you may yet live to see another day. Stand down now, or face the consequences of your folly hobgoblin!"
"Why are you offering them mercy, when they offered none to our people?" Skalla yanks the bolt out of her shoulder angrily, circling around to flank the wolf.
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The wolf gets slashed and pummeled by the party. Saélihn and Skalla both whiff, but with a final decisive strike from Gronilda, the wolf slumps over.
"Pass in peace?" The hobgoblin cackles. "Not a chance. I just stopped another batch of would-be escapees, and you'll be the next. " She bellows again.
Lizzie moves to north of Gronilda.
"I agree with Skalla there, these mass murderers deserve no mercy as far as i'm concerned."
She readies a sling shot in case the hobgob comes near.
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Lizzie gets ready for what's to come.
Meanwhile, the doors to the shed swing open, revealing two hobgoblins. While one pushes the door open, the other attacks. With a swift and vicious strike, the hobgoblin aims a slashing blow down at Pawnies. "Dogs don't make for good slaves," it sneers menacingly.
Pawnies' keen senses must have alerted it to the impending danger, as it effortlessly sidesteps the attack.
"Slacking, useless fools," the Hobgoblin captain curses. "I'll do it myself." She approaches and pulls a glowing vial from her belt, lobbing it across at Gronilda and Skalla.
The corrosive liquid sets Gronilda's armor on fire, with some of the liquid splashing onto Skalla.
Grym moves forward to engage the pair of Hobs trying to come out of the shed. Swinging his Hammer wildly at the Green Hob
Hatred +1
Giving Ghost the command to defend her from any approaching enemy,
Saélihn moves a few steps closer as she fires an arrow through the door, targeting the second hobgoblin
Lizzie quickly reloads and spins her sling again at the hobgoblin.
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Gronilda, feeling the flames licking at her armor, focuses her attention on the immediate threat at hand. With resolve burning in her eyes, she responds to the hobgoblin captain's menacing advance "You may think yourselves mighty, but your cruelty only serves to unite us against you. We will not yield to your tyranny. Face the fury of Erastil's justice!"
With her words spoken, Gronilda takes swift action, charging over the hobgoblin captain directly, her shield raised in defense and her determination unwavering.
Skalla has a moment of indecision, but in the end she cannot let Gronilda face the hobgoblin on the bridge alone. She runs to stand by the dwarf's side, her battleaxe raised menacingly.
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FWOOM.. THWACK! goes Saélihn's arrow, straight into the hobgoblin's gut.
The rest of the party has the arrogant hobgoblin captain in mind. Lizzie takes aim and hurls a stone at her, while both Gronilda and Skalla close in. With a triumphant taunt, Gronilda swings her weapon, bringing it crashing down onto the captain's helmet with resounding force. "Heh... Kill me, and it changes nothing. Us Ironfangs have your town, and your people!" She sneers defiantly.
Both of her associates advanced on Grymwold, and grunt in frustration as their swords clang off of his armor.
The remaining alchemical fire continues to lick at Gronilda's flesh, dealing as the last of it putters out.
The captain takes out her scimitar, and slashes at
Gronilda's size makes her easy to hit, and the blade digs deep into her flesh, knocking her to the ground.
From the southern landing, Aubrin's eyes widen in horror as she witnesses Gronilda's fall. "No... I refuse to stand idly by and watch those who saved so many of us meet their end. I won't!" she declares, her resolve unwavering as she begins to hobble towards the melee.
___
Grym takes a swing at the wounded purple Hob.
Hatred +1
His attention is consumed by the two Hobs in front of him, he doesn't see poor Gronilda fall.
Seeing Gronilda drop and Grimwold pressed by multiple enemies, Saélihn realizes the need for Ghost's aid in the fierce battle. Quickly drawing out a potion, she unstoppers it telling him to drink it as she tilts it carefully.
Ghost drinks the administered potion, his wounds healing rapidly.
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"Gronilda!" Skalla cries as the dwarf falls to the hobgoblin's deft scimitar strike.
Her voice, used to cutting through children's babble in the classroom, rings out loud and clear to alert the others of mortal danger. She edges to the right, trying to draw away the captain's attention, fervently hoping that one of the others can make it to Gronilda in time to save her life. She is shaking with anger and fear, so her strike goes wide.
On her recklessness to defeat the hobgoblin, Gronilda's attack leaves her defense open, and she does not notice the scimitar being drawn until it is going hot into her belly. The dwarf collapses with a mixture of surprise and self-disappointment. She touches her holy symbol and manages to say "S-sorry... I could not protect..." before losing consciousness to her bleeding.
Her body shrinks and Pawnies alerted by the event retreats from fighting the other hobgoblins and runs towards his friend.
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Saélihn feeds Ghost a curative potion, his wounds closing up, while Grymwold again attacks a hobgoblin, his armor slowing down his attack enough that he misses. With a heavy heart, Skalla cries out for help in the wake of Gronilda's fall, but her own strike against the hobgoblin captain fails to find its target.
"Hold on, I'm coming!" Aubrin pants, her hands beginning to glow white.
Lizzie flings a bullet at the hobgob in front of her and Grymwold.
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Lizzie's pebble pelts the back of the shed.
Both the purple and green-tuniced hobgoblins have a sole focus on the dwarf in front of them...
Grymwold ducks under one slash, and holds his arm up to block the other, a loud CLANG ringing out.
"HAH! That'll teach you to provoke me. Come on, weakling, you're next." The hobgoblin captain smiles sickeningly, and slashes at her next nearest target: Skalla.
The blade sinks into Skalla, and as the hobgoblin tears it away, Skalla falls unconscious.
Aubrin advances, and stops at a point she knows will work to her advantage. With a reverent gesture, she raises a tankard high. "Cayden, patron of revelry and bravery, bless us with your boundless spirit," she whispers. Suddenly, a radiant aura bursts forth from her, enveloping the entire party in a comforting, warming glow - yet leaving the hobgoblins untouched.
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Her sharp eyes quickly assessing the devolving situation, Saélihn lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. With Gronilda down, and still unmoving, Skalla on the ground as well (she seemed to be moving slightly but she'd dropped her weapon), and that bi+<# of a hobgoblin setting her sights on Aubrin, the huntress locks onto her prey, calling a command to Ghost to kill her, as she sends an arrow streaking across the bridge.
Adding a gravelly edge to her voice to mimic Gronilda's tone, she yells a command to the cleric's pet. "Pawnies, defend!"
Ghost races off toward the enemy, only a step behind the arrow, hurling himself into her and biting down with crushing force as he uses his weight and momentum to take her to the ground.
Grym strikes again at the wounded (purple) Hob in front of him...feeling that he's needed elsewhere but can't disengage from the two Hobs in front of him
Hatred +1
On her dying reverie Gronilda is inebriated by Cayden's doings. In a celebration of drinks and camaraderie, the dwarf smiles unconsciously as her wounds close up.
Meanwhile, Pawnies gets out of his own thoughts on how to best help. As the tall woman commands him to defend the fallen Gronilda, the dog places his body between the evil hobgoblin and the fallen dwarf. Growling menacingly, he defends her from the closer threat.
Lizzie continues to fling bullets at the nearby hobgob.