A few kobold retainers catch up with the party just as Eldryon climbs back down with the ghost courier fulu. "This way, Purepurin waits." And once again the party heads further into the vast and treasure-filled dragon lair.
“There might be a problem!” Purepurin sheepishly bustles into the hallway as you approach, an empty jar in her hands. “I went to go get the jug of fond remembrance and it turns out that I may have traded it earlier today for some extra spicy kimchi. And it was worth it! But we need to get it back from the Jjang-Jang goblins if we want to contact the boss quickly. They like to take their time on the road, so I’m sure they aren’t too far.”
Purepurin holds out an ornate ceramic wine bottle, shaking it enticingly. “Here, take this and trade it with the goblins for the jug back. I’ll get started on setting things up to call the boss!”
male half-orc medic 5 | HP 68/68 | AC 23 (25 w/shield (hardness 8, HP64, BT32)) | F +11 R +13 W +13 | Perc +13 (low-light) | Stealth +11 | speed 35 |◆ | ◇ | ↺
Desmond stares at the kobold. "Wait, you mean the Spicy Death Chicken goblins?" He facepalms. "Mrs. Crinkle, do you think you're up for another round of spicy?" He takes the wine bottles, looking to see if it's full.
male human ranger 4 | ♥52 | ⛨21; resist cold 2 | F +8 R +11 W +9 | Perc +9 | Stealth +9 | speed 25ft | Focus☐☐ | Arrows 19 | Snares ☐Biting ☐Hampering ☐Marking ☐Trip | Exploration: Search | ⚕None
What?! You traded it away? What if they aren't enticed by this ceramic wine bottle? You didn't replace the wine with fruit juice, did you? he barks incredulously.
He begins to check his pack for what else might make a good trade.
female Human (skilled) Barbarian 4 | HP 68/68 | AC 21 (23 w/shield) | F +10 R +7 W +8 | Perc +8 | Stealth +5 | 25 ft | Hero 1/3 | ◇◆↺ | Exploration: Defend | Active Conditions: none
"Ooo! More spicy chicken! I'm gonna be breathing fire right back at that dragon when we return. Yippee! Good thing we know that shortcut. Last one to the cart is a rotten egg! Heehee!" Mrs. Crinkle bolts for the cart.
The kobold has the grace to look abashed. "Well, I didn't think I'd need it this soon. The boss has some in another part of her lair, maybe thirty miles away, and I figured that, you know, one of these days I'd replace it. Ah, well. Live and learn, right?"
The goblins are quite pleased to see the party again, particularly Nikma, Eldryon, and Desmond. (They're still grateful for getting their wagon unstuck.) When Dokk learns what you've come for, though, she's reluctant to part with the jug of fond remembrance--"I had a great idea for a new marinade based on it!"
Give me a Diplomacy check. You have one chance, but Aid Another is allowed. Everyone who helped with the cart can take +1 to their roll.
male goblin ranger 4 | HP 58/58, Hero Points: 1 | AC 20 | Fort +10; Ref +11; Will +10 | Perc: +10 (+12 to seek target), darkvision | Exploration: Searching | Prey: Bosun| Active Conditions: None
Gracie:
HP 40/40 | AC 19 | Fort +8; Ref +8; Will +7 | Perc: +7, low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 ft.
I don't have Diplomacy, but can I use Goblin Lore to aid by giving tips on goblin negotiation strategies. Not sure if anyone here is particularly skilled at Diplomacy, though, so if possible to use Goblin Lore to do the deal, I'd do that if no one else jumps up to handle it.
AFAICT from his profile, Zac has a decent Diplomacy check, to which he can add +4 for your critical success at Goblin Lore. Mrs. Crinkle also has the skill, though her bonus isn't as good as Zac's.
Deerslicer realizes that the euphoria caused by the young faerie dragon liqueur will make someone who eats the goblins' spicy death chicken not realize how hot the sauce is until the burn has fully developed. He expects that the goblins will find this hilarious, both in eating the chicken and in watching other people eat it.
Dokk is quite impressed with the party's arguments, and willingly exchanges the jug of fond remembrance. "I'm already looking forward to how this next batch is going to come out! Before you leave, though, would any of you like to taste the last batch?" She holds up a skewer of roasted chicken, thickly coated with a dangerous-looking red sauce.
Since we only have a few days left, that can run in the background while the party returns to Valashinaz' lair. The chicken won't do any permanent damage to any barbarians party members who might want to taste it.
With little time to spare, the party hustles back to the cave entrance. There are no kobolds waiting, but as you reach the main level (see first map slide) you suddenly hear the sound of the guardian fulu activating! It's followed by a shout: "Grab what you can and run!"
What looks like a seven-foot-long weasel explodes around the corner before anyone can react and bites Gracie for 7 HP, then tries to wrap itself around her. It can't quite manage, though.
female Human (skilled) Barbarian 4 | HP 68/68 | AC 21 (23 w/shield) | F +10 R +7 W +8 | Perc +8 | Stealth +5 | 25 ft | Hero 1/3 | ◇◆↺ | Exploration: Defend | Active Conditions: none
Back with the goblins:
Mrs. Crinkle's eyes go wide at the proffered spicy-death-chicken. "OOO! I'd love a free sample! Thank you kindly, dearie. Here goes! Heehee!" She pops a large bite into her mouth and begins to chew. Her eyes go wide. Her jaw halts mid-chew. Tears well up in her eyes. And the GM can narrate the rest. Have fun!
And now to combat!
"I've always wanted to ride a weasel!" Mrs. Crinkle shouts as she morphs into her lupine shape. Bounding forward, she stoops to snap at its stubby little legs to try to flip it onto its belly. (Silly Mrs. Crinkle! That's not how you ride a weasel.)
male human ranger 4 | ♥52 | ⛨21; resist cold 2 | F +8 R +11 W +9 | Perc +9 | Stealth +9 | speed 25ft | Focus☐☐ | Arrows 19 | Snares ☐Biting ☐Hampering ☐Marking ☐Trip | Exploration: Search | ⚕None
Nikma side-eyes the death chicken but politely declines.
Do you... keep your knives and cutting boards separate? What really goes into the spices and is it prepared very close to your caravan animals?
--------------------
Nikma rushes forward to face the would-be thieves.
◆ Stride ◆ Interact: draw +1 bastard sword ◆ Hunt prey RED ◇ Recall Knowledge (free from Monster Hunter): Maybe Nature +5? Otherwise Occultism +6, Religion +5, hopefully not society
Reference:
Monster Hunter wrote:
You swiftly assess your prey and apply what you know. As part of the action used to Hunt your Prey, you can attempt a check to Recall Knowledge about your prey. When you critically succeed at identifying your hunted prey with Recall Knowledge, you note a weakness in the creature’s defenses. You and allies you tell gain a +1 circumstance bonus to your next attack roll against that prey. You can give bonuses from Monster Hunter only once per day against a particular creature.
male half-orc medic 5 | HP 68/68 | AC 23 (25 w/shield (hardness 8, HP64, BT32)) | F +11 R +13 W +13 | Perc +13 (low-light) | Stealth +11 | speed 35 |◆ | ◇ | ↺
Desmond sighs and pulls some herbs and liquids out of his pack to begin making some stomach soothing tonic and a irritable bowel salve. Someone was bound to need it.
--------------------------
The medic races up at the sound of fighting. He sees the others surrounding the giant weasel-thing and Gracie in decent shape. Then he spots movement in the corridor, and makes a split second decision. He rams his shield forward to block them from escaping. "Get that thing under control! I can hold them for a few!"
As he and Desmond rush forward to block the other enemies in place, Nikma is pretty sure that the creature behind the weasel is a human. Mrs. Crinkle wolfs out, rushes forward, and manages to knock over the large mustelid.
It seems the way is blocked.
Move action 1
Drop melee weapon and pull out shortbow, action 2
Shoot at nearest creature still alive, action 3, not sure how much cover red or blue has or even if I can see even just a hand of red or blue hit:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19dmg:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Investigator 4 AC 21 | HP 34/34 | F +5 R +11 W +9 | Init +9 Perception| Speed 30 ft. | Exploration Mode Investigate | Trap Finder (+1)
With the goblins
Eldryon refuses everything that come from the goblins especially if it's chicken as, as an elf, she prefers to avoid meat and anything related to goblins.
Nevetherless, she's quite curious about the effect of the new concoction on Mrs. Crinkle and observes with interest her reaction.
Current time
Eldryon tries to find a weakness in the creature that attacked Gracie.
Devise A Stratagem:1d20 ⇒ 9+ free RK (+5 nature) on the weasel
No sure to to have found one, she still moves closer and strikes it with her spear
female Human (skilled) Barbarian 4 | HP 68/68 | AC 21 (23 w/shield) | F +10 R +7 W +8 | Perc +8 | Stealth +5 | 25 ft | Hero 1/3 | ◇◆↺ | Exploration: Defend | Active Conditions: none
With the goblins, eating death chicken:
Fortitude vs. spicy death chicken:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
"Hooooeeeee!" Mrs. Crinkle hoots around a mouthful of spicy chicken. "That's some good spice! Whooo!"
male goblin ranger 4 | HP 58/58, Hero Points: 1 | AC 20 | Fort +10; Ref +11; Will +10 | Perc: +10 (+12 to seek target), darkvision | Exploration: Searching | Prey: Bosun| Active Conditions: None
Gracie:
HP 40/40 | AC 19 | Fort +8; Ref +8; Will +7 | Perc: +7, low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 ft.
Nikma Odria wrote:
If Deerslicer tells everyone else about what he has realized, Nikma reacts Thats... why would goblins do that to themselves?!
Deerslicer looks confused for a second, then chuckles. "Oh, sorry, me probably not clear. See, because da person not know how hot it is ... they eat a lot of it ... and it burn their throat real bad. An' they cry." He glances at Nikma, and says, "See, make sense now why it so funny?"
The goblins applaud when Mrs. Crinkle eats the chicken without anything worse than turning red, and one gives the barbarian a ration tonic.
Now:
Despite shooting past another party member, Zac tags the lead Goldmonger. Eldryon and Gracie take advantage of Mrs. Crinkle's takedown of the weasel and hit it, as does Deerslicer.
Eldryon recalls that these creatures are able to fit through extremely tight spaces, and they can also wrap themselves around their prey and bite it effectively.
The lead enemy draws a pick and takes a couple of swings at Desmond, who easily blocks or dodges them. The three behind the first ready crossbows and shoot the medic; only one hits for 3 HP.
The weasel rolls free of where Mrs. Crinkle knocked it down, then bites at Gracie again. This time it hits a vital spot for 16 HP and grabs onto the bear with its powerful jaws.
female Human (skilled) Barbarian 4 | HP 68/68 | AC 21 (23 w/shield) | F +10 R +7 W +8 | Perc +8 | Stealth +5 | 25 ft | Hero 1/3 | ◇◆↺ | Exploration: Defend | Active Conditions: none
Stepping over so she can flank the greasy weasel with Gracie and tries to trip it again before biting at its flank.
Deerslicer yells, "Get outta there Gracie, an' help me out!" Gracie tries to wiggle out, while slashing at openings made by Deerslicer's rapid bow attacks.
Mrs. Crinkle drags the weasel down and bites it, but it falls to Eldryon to finish the large mustelid. Meanwhile, Nikma hits the lead goldmonger once; it remains standing only long enough for Zac's first arrow to drop it. Zac's second and third arrows miss the one behind it due to the cover Desmond provides to them.
Deerslicer, you and Gracie can change your actions. Desmond can also act!
Megalictis: AC 19 HP taken: dead
Goldmongers: AC 15 HP taken - Red: dead Blue: 0 Black: 0 Green: 0
male goblin ranger 4 | HP 58/58, Hero Points: 1 | AC 20 | Fort +10; Ref +11; Will +10 | Perc: +10 (+12 to seek target), darkvision | Exploration: Searching | Prey: Bosun| Active Conditions: None
Gracie:
HP 40/40 | AC 19 | Fort +8; Ref +8; Will +7 | Perc: +7, low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 ft.
Gracie status: 17/40
Deerslicer darts ahead, saying, "Lay down, Gracie, I got d'is!"
◆ Sneak - 17.5 feet thanks to Very Sneaky, so I can get behind Mrs. Crinkle undetected (hopefully)
Stealth:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
From his position crouching behind Mrs. Crinkle, Deerslicer brings up his bow and fires between her legs at the blue goldmonger.
◆ Strike Hunter's Bow attack vs. off-guard AC (if 17 beats Perception DC):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Hunter's Bow damage (piercing):1d6 ⇒ 5
◆ Strike
Disappointed that his stealth maneuver didn't seem to do much, he fires again.
Hunter's Bow attack 2 vs. blue goldmonger w/ multiattack:1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 5 = 19 Hunter's Bow damage (piercing:1d6 ⇒ 4
Desmond cures most of the damage the weasel did to Gracie, while Deerslicer has a tough time hitting the current lead Goldmonger (first shot misses due to cover; second hits).
All three of the remaining enemies aim at the only target without cover. Two crossbow bolts hit Eldryon for 9 HP. Then they all retreat around the corner.
Round 3:
Initiative order
Deerslicer
Desmond
Mrs. Crinkle
Zac
Eldryon
Nikma
Goldmongers
Everyone can act!
Dice rolls:
Attacks on Eldryon:3d20 ⇒ (9, 20, 16) = 45 Damage, in order:2d8 ⇒ (1, 7) = 8
Goldmongers: AC 15 HP taken - Red: dead Blue: 4 Black: 0 Green: 0
male half-orc medic 5 | HP 68/68 | AC 23 (25 w/shield (hardness 8, HP64, BT32)) | F +11 R +13 W +13 | Perc +13 (low-light) | Stealth +11 | speed 35 |◆ | ◇ | ↺
Desmond races after the raiders. "You really don't want to go farther in! It's dangerous!" He tries to grab one of them to avoid them going deeper and getting hurt.
male goblin ranger 4 | HP 58/58, Hero Points: 1 | AC 20 | Fort +10; Ref +11; Will +10 | Perc: +10 (+12 to seek target), darkvision | Exploration: Searching | Prey: Bosun| Active Conditions: None
Gracie:
HP 40/40 | AC 19 | Fort +8; Ref +8; Will +7 | Perc: +7, low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 ft.
Deerslicer darts around and takes position near the corner, firing at the nearest one.
◆ Stride ◆ Stride ◆ Strike Bow attack vs. Black:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Bow damage (piercing):1d6 ⇒ 2 Bonus deadly damage if that is a crit ...:1d10 ⇒ 2 6 damage total then if a crit...
