Ser Helmut (still frothing at the mouth from soap) smiles at the approach of the dander dogs.
Git Stupids dogs!
The Thaumaturge then Strides into a Flank with Von, drinks another cup of water and bites!
Bees tastiest likes da chicken...
The goblin dogs don't last long. Helmut rips out the throat of one of them, while Siobhan cuts two others down with a series of critical hits! Vyana's empowered arrow slays the final rodent.
A few moments after the last foe goes down, a secret door in the southwest wall opens and another goblin creeps out from behind the taxidermied spider there. This goblin whistles through the holes drilled in his teeth. "Wow! You got some pretty tough longshanks friends here, brother," he says to Helmut. He then addressed your group at large. "Name's Tunch, master taxidermist! Wanna step into my workshop to talk? Maybe you can help take care of the evil witch that's been plaguing us Whistlefangs!"
Vyana spins around with an arrow nocked as the new goblin makes his appearance. When his initial words sound somewhat diplomatic, she relaxes her draw but doesn't lower her weapon.
"Maybe. Maybe not," she replies, but she leaves the remainder of the discussion to Viviana.
Ser Helmut lets out a strange noise from behind, as the newest goblin suddenly emerges from inside a giant spider!
Youses bees livings inside dat? Gross!
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Siobhan nods and flicks the gore from her blade.
"We will listen." She says firmly. "It wasn't a good way to ask for our help though, letting us be attacked like that."
Sarenrae teaches that you must give people a chance for redemption. She doesn't say that you can't teach them manners along the way!
Tunch gestures for you to follow him through the secret door into his workshop. This musty-smelling workshop features a long workbench covered with animal parts and a cluttered wooden shelf to the west, several barrels and crates to the south, and a ratty-looking pile of furs to the north. A wood carving of some sort of overly muscular goblin looms over the furs, while a lever sticks out of the eastern wall just below the carving.
A five-foot-long weasel lays in the corner of the room. It raises its head to regard you as you enter, but Tunch moves to scratch it under its chin. "Who's a good boy, Sausage? You are! You are!" Sausage's tail twitches in delight and he settles back down.
Tunch turns back to you. "I've been working on trying to build a living taxidermy so that I can order it to kill the pesky witch! If some strange creature no goblin has ever seen before kills her, then certainly I can't be blamed for it—especially if I then swoop in to defeat said creature with a magic word! But I can't quite figure out how to do it, so I'm going to need you to do the dirty work for me!"
He takes a spare parchment and scribbles out a map of the rooms around this one. "The witch is named Minargul. She makes her lair here. You have to save us by killing her! Do so and I'll give you a magic bug as a reward. Oh yeah, all the other Whistlefangs you talk to here will sound like they like her, but she’s a mind controller. She’s got their names written on papers she keeps in her hat and she controls them that way. Save us!"
Viv is a bit of a pushover when saving things, so it doesn't take much to get her to listen, but standing in a pile of goblin-dog gore doesn't help set a tone of empathy.
Viviana listens carefully to Tunch's hurried explanation, her expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism. She glances at her companions, taking in their reactions before stepping forward to address the goblin.
"Alright, Tunch. We'll consider helping you with this witch, Minargul. But let's get a few things straight first. If you truly want our help, we need complete honesty and no more surprises. We were attacked when we entered, which doesn't build trust."
She shoots him a squinty-eyed scowl in disapproval.
"If Minargul controls the other Whistlefangs with their names, we must know exactly what we're walking into. How many goblins are under her control? What kind of defenses does she have? And why hasn't anyone else tried to stop her before now?"
"We'll consider helping you, but only if we can trust you. So tell us everything we need to know to take down this witch and free your tribe. And then tell us why we should trust you?"
Walking into the dead giant spider, the goblin is seen holding his breath and his Tome tight! Upon exiting the giant spider, Ser Helmut's eyes roam greedily over the other Goblin's workshop.
Dis bees da nicest ov da workshop inside un dead giant spider evers!
Barely even listening and busily touching, hopping on, and even lying down in comfort, the Thaumaturge gives a thumbs up!
"There's maybe a dozen other goblins here under her control, including Gurlunk, our greatest warrior," Tunch says. "If you get past her guards, you'll still have to deal with her witchy magic! Everybody is scared of her because her magic comes from the Devil! And you should trust me because I am most trustworthy of goblins! Honest!" He holds his hand up earnestly.
Viviana nods "Alright, Tunch. We'll take your word for now. But know this: if you deceive us, it won't end well for you."
She glances at her sister with a quick jerk of her head in Tunch's direction as if she were signaling for her to add some emphasis to her statement.
Turning back to Tunch, she continues, "We'll deal with Minargul and free your tribe from her control. What do we need to know about dealing with Gurlunk? And this witch? Anything you can tell us to help take them down?"
"Also, you need to stay out of our way and keep your goblins from attacking us while we do this. Can you manage that?"
Vyana shrugs.
"If he had the control to keep the other goblins from attacking us, then I'm sure he would have been able to deal with this Minargul himself," she says without taking her eyes off of the goblin. "Isn't that right, Tunch?"
She turns back to Viviana and grins.
"Besides, this makes it more fun."
Viviana chuckles again, shaking her head slightly. "Oh Vy, I don't think we have the same definition of fun." she says with a wry smile. "Buuuuut I suppose that's that's what I'm here for, right? To try and keep us from getting into too much trouble?"
With a nods as much to herself as anyone else, she affirms "I am the responsible one, after all."
Surely she believed that statement (in her own mind).
Ser Helmut frowns.
Wats da f@#~ he bees da most trustworthy of goblins!
"I'll stay out of the way, but I can't do much to help with the other goblins. But you guys are tough! You got this!" Tunch says, grinning and giving you a thumbs up.
***
You return to the entry chamber and follow Tunch's map through the north door. The rough stone walls of this large room are decorated with a mix of bones, broken weapons, tattered tapestries, and bits of junk. To the north, a charred and very dead goblin sits slumped on a partially burned wooden throne. A cave opening to the west of the throne opens into darkness. Several bloody spears lean against the wall near this opening.
Six goblins mill about the room, five warriors and a war chanter, as well as Gurlunk. All of them seem nervous and jittery, but when they spot you, Gurlunk cries out. "Longshanks! Seize them! Keep them alive! We'll feed them to the Devil and Ripnugget will leave us be!"
The goblins move to attack at once!
Vyana targets the war chanter with an arrow enchanted with magical energies.
"For Sandpoint!" Viviana shouts, echoing Siobhan's battlecry, but from a distance.
She unleashes a chunk of metal fragments forward into the goblins.
Ser Helmut seems to be paused because he is not a Long shanks ....
Vyana's arrow catches the war chanter in the neck, slaying the goblin instantly! As Siobhan moves in with shield raised, Viv impales one of the other goblin commandos with darts, dropping him as well.
Gurlunk lets out sharp whistles through the holes in his teeth as he marks Vyana as his prey. He raises his bow and fires on her, hitting twice.
The goblin commandos attack Siobhan with their horsechoppers! The champion blocks all of their attacks.
Vyana ducked at almost the right moment. The trickle of blood that was now dripping into her eye was evidence that she needed to work on that. Her lips curled into a cold smile. "Shall we exchange kisses, then?" she whispers before releasing another enchanted arrow at Gurlunk.
Ser Helmut seems to be trying (not really hard though) not to laugh as the goblins begin dropping like last months leftover chicken!
The Thaumaturge begins digging for his Dog hair brush!
The Thaumaturge then Strides into a Flank with Von, brandishing the dog brush and bites!
Viviana resists the urge to tend to Vyana, despite her muttering something about kisses. Instead, she focuses on the threat attacking her and sends another burst of sharp metal fragments into the archer.
Helmut and Siobhan swiftly dispatch the remaining goblin commandos, while Viv and Vyana pierce Gurlunk with arrows and darts, leaving him gravely wounded. With no other allies left standing, Gurlunk drops his bow and falls to his knees. "I'm sorry! Please, have mercy on me, great heroes!"
Viv remembers what she heard Vyana say moments ago and marches up to Gurlunk with her arms crossed and a stern expression. "Before any mercy may be bestowed upon you, you must first crawl over to her and kiss her feet in apology."
She turns and points at the bloodied Vyana, offering a wink with an I got you. grin.
Reaching up and wiping away the drying blood, Vyana gives Viviana a questioning glance and a raised eyebrow. She doesn't argue, though, and slides one of her boot-covered feet forward slightly. Her eyes remain on the priestess and a sly smile shapes her lips.
Ser Helmut laughs!
Gurlunk shuffles forward on his knees and presses his lips to Vyana's dirty boots repeatedly. "Mwah! Mwah!" he says, making over-the-top kissing noises to show his sincerity!
"Oh, great heroes! There is a great and powerful goblin zombie in a secret room behind the throne! He burned Chief Shrilltooth alive. You should go and slay him! That's what heroes do, yes?"
Viviana keeps her stern expression as she watches Gurlunk crawl and kiss Vyana's feet. When he finishes, she nods approvingly. Good. Remember this moment, Gurlunk. Let it be a reminder of respect and humility.
She then turns to Vyana, her expression softening into a playful grin. "Just doing my part to keep things interesting." she whispers, giving Vyana a quick wink.
Hearing Gurlunk's revelation about the goblin zombie, Viviana's demeanor shifts back to serious. "A goblin zombie, you say? Behind the throne? Alright, we’ll deal with this threat. Stay out of our way and keep the other goblins from interfering."
Viviana takes a few steps towards the throne room but then pauses, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She turns back to Gurlunk, unable to resist adding a bit of fun to the situation.
"Oh, and Gurlunk." she calls out, "After we defeat this goblin zombie, all the goblins here must pay fealty and kiss her feet. From now on, you will refer to her as Lady Vyana, the Fierce and Noble.' Spread the word."
She catches the look Siobhan gives her and holds her hands up sheepishly, "Whhhhat?"
Ser Helmut stops laughing at the mentioning of a Powerful Zombie Goblin waiting in a secret room behind the throne.
Seems likes da red herring ta Mees.
The Thaumaturge then picks up the magical spear, licks it, nods and gets in line for bandages before biting the Powerful Zombie Goblin....
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Von gives her sister a very unimpressed look. It's not that she doesn't think the world of Vy but this is... very Viv.
With a final disapproving look (which might hold her sister back for all of ten seconds), she leads the way behind the throne. If the goblin is telling the truth, unlikely but possible, it's probably Ripnugget. If not then she's the best one to go into a trap like this first.
The secret door leads to a long corridor that opens up into a large room. The walls of this ten-foot-high chamber are of white stone with redwood paneling running along the lower two feet, trimmed in gold. Glowing flames flicker in sconces on the walls, giving the chamber bright illumination. The floor is polished red stone, with a large inset gold seven-pointed star inlaid in the floor. Wooden shelves filled with books, tablets, and scrolls stand in the room or sit against the walls, while a wood desk heaped with additional books and scrolls sits to the north. To the east and west, three steps lead up to ten-foot-wide alcoves, in each of which sits a black stone platform edged in gold runes and adorned with another gold inlaid seven-pointed star. Two hideous dead bodies of twisted sinspawn lie in a heap on the eastern platform.
Four living sinspawn are scattered about the room, looking through the numerous books and scrolls here. Standing in the center of the room is a very angry-looking undead goblin! He wears a rusted breastplate and grips a dogliscer that is wreathed with flickering flames. Upon spotting you, the goblin screeches in frustration. "Those foolish Whistlefangs! I told them that if I was interrupted, they'd all be burned alive!"
He squints and looks closer at you. "Wait... You're adventurers, aren't you? You must be the latest batch of heroes from Sandpoint. Well, this time, things will be different. This time, Ripnugget will prevail, and you will perish! Sinspawn! Attack!"
With the group outnumbered by something other than goblins, Vyana directs magical energy at Siobhan and than follows up with some defensive protection for herself before readying her bow.
"Let's show him that Sandpoint's heroes won't be defeated!" she shouts in defiance.
Viviana raises her hands, summoning the power of Shelyn, and a brilliant beam of freezing moonlight shoots from her palms, aimed directly at undead Chief Ripnugget's chest.
You unleash a holy beam of freezing moonlight. Make a ranged spell attack. The ray deals 5d6 cold damage; if the target is a fiend or undead, you deal an extra 5d6 good damage. Moonlight ray's cold damage is silver damage for the purposes of weaknesses, resistances, and the like.
Critical Success The target takes double cold damage, as well as double good damage if a fiend or undead.
Success The target takes full damage.
If the light passes through an area of magical darkness or targets a creature affected by magical darkness, moonlight ray attempts to counteract the darkness. If you need to determine whether the light passes through an area of darkness, draw a line between yourself and the spell's target.
Ser Helmut is seen drooling at the sight laid before him! The Thaumaturge actually begins to weep.
Wooden shelves filled with books, tablets, and scrolls standinh in da room or bees sits against da walls, while a wood desk bees heaped wit additional books and scrolls bees sits to the north.
At the rude interruption by the ugly undead fat (not P.H.A.T.) goblin, Ser Helmut does what any self-respect ing, self-restrainting, self-absorbed goblin would:
He raspberries them!
The Thaumaturge then deftly retrieves a Scroll of Conducting and traces sigils on Siobhan's weapons!
Shock da sheet out ov Dems Stupids!
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Von practically glows as her companions pile magic onto her, then she races forwards - her feet far faster than they should be thanks to Vy. Her target is Ripnugget on the assumption that he'll demand that the sinspawn defend him if she pressures him enough. And that will keep her sister and her friends safe.
Ripnugget shrieks in anger as Viv blasts him with moonlight and Siobhan slices him with her shocking scimitar. "Argh! To me, Stickfoot!" the goblin graveknight shouts. He focuses intently, then hops into the air as a giant ghostly gecko manifests beneath him. The gecko rears as Ripnugget brandishes his dogslicer!
Meanwhile, two of the sinspawn move in to flank Siobhan on either side, biting her! The other two try to get to Viv, but Vyana and Helmut are blocking the way to the cleric, so they settle for biting at them instead.
Critical Success: The creature is unaffected.
Success: The creature is sickened 1.
Failure; The creature is sickened 2.
Critical Failure The creature is sickened 2 and is also clumsy 2 for 1 minute.
Ser Helmut screams!
The green goblin pukes all over the dirty rotten hobo! Twice!!
Choking on his own vomit, the Thaumaturge does what only a goblin Thaumaturge would do!
He casts Shield.
He Strides into a Flank with Siobhan against the ugly fat (still not P.H.A.T.) Ripnugget and (pukes) bites him!
Mees no feels dat guuds. Taste like da chicken.
"Stay behind us, Viv!" Vyana warns her friend.
Attempting to dodge and avoid the sinspawn attacking her, the half-elf continues to support Siobhan against the the undead goblin with her magical archery.
As long as she was being shielded, Viv complies and decides to share Siobhan's burden.
She then reaches out with her vitality lash spell against the undead chief.
You demolish the target’s corrupted essence with energy from Creation’s Forge. You deal 2d6 vitality damage with a basic Fortitude save. If the creature critically fails the save, it is also enfeebled 1 until the start of your next turn.
Vyana scores a critical hit, the arrow lodging deep in Ripnugget's chest and the magical claw that sprouts from it ripping him apart from the inside! The rest of you batter him with powerful blows, and in moments, the undead goblin lies slumped and torn asunder on his phantom mount. The gecko fades away as quickly as it appeared, and Ripnugget's body flops limply to the floor.
The sinspawn put up a bit of a fight but with the main threat having been swiftly eradicated, it doesn't take long to defeat the aberrations as well.
Ripnugget has a breastplate and a +1 striking wounding dogslicer. Knowing that he is a graveknight, you know that you must completely destroy his armor to prevent his rejuvenation.
The collection of books, scrolls, and tablets in this room are somewhat well preserved and, taken as a whole, the collection is exceptionally helpful in researching matters relating to ancient Thassilon, but the books are maddeningly damaged and missing parts.
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"That went well." Von says, closing her remaining wounds and feeling rather pleased that she was the only one who got really hurt. "Let's take everything we can take easily and get the armor back to Sandpoint. We'll need a smith to destroy it properly. We can come back here later to collect the rest - I'd prefer not to have to face Ripnugget again."
As they head out she puts one arm around Vy's shoulders in a loose hug.
"You were awesome Vy! That shot was just perfect!"
As they head out she puts one arm around Vy's shoulders in a loose hug.
"You were awesome Vy! That shot was just perfect!"
The half-elf looks up from studying the intriguing ring they've discovered and gives her friend a sly smile.
"That's 'Lady Vyana, the Fierce and Noble' to you, good lady," she says. "And we've still got to deal with this witch, Minargul, before we head back to town."
Ser Helmut plops onto the cold stone floor! The Thaumaturge begins to weep!
Whys! Whys, Vyana! Youses done hits Dat fat (not P.H.A.T.) toad goblin too hard! Mees wuz hav'n da fun times teasing Dat idiot!
The teary eyed goblin does perk up quite a plenty once the books, scrolls, books and scrolls and even all the books with the scrolls are discovered!
Mees precious! Mines! Mees burpday presents!
The Thaumaturge Eldritch Researcher does seem to be just a bit infatuated by the books and the scrolls...
Viv recalls that it usually takes several days for graveknights to rejuvenate.
You return to the throne room. Gurlunk seems to have fled, as there is no sign of him. You proceed along the route that Tunch showed you to reach Minargul. A short corridor leads into an unoccupied room full of filthy mounds of rags and straw. The air is filled with the stale stink of body odor. A clear path runs through the beds to another door.
A mound of rags and furs lies against the west wall of this room, while to the east is a low flat rock on which several animal bones and a human skull have been stacked to create a grisly incense burner. But it’s the north wall that commands attention, for here, a frightening shape made of bones, stretched hide and leather, and fibrous fungi looms. The shape resembles a great bat-winged horse with a mouth filled with fangs that seems to be emerging from the wall to loom over a blood-stained altar stone below.
The goblin witch Minargul kneels before the statue. When she notices you, she turns and calls out in Varisian. "Welcome, heroes of the Pit! Have you come with tidings from He Whose Breath is Death?"
"Whose Breath is what?" Vyana questions back in Taldane. She lowers her bow somewhat and relaxes her draw. Glancing at her companions, her brow furrows.
"Do you get a lot of heroes coming through here?" She shakes her head and raises her bow again. "Regardless of that ... we're here to topple your throne and return power to ... to other ... people."
She gives a quick questioning look at Viviana to gauge how well she played the 'Avenging Hero' trope.