First off, apologies for how slow things have gotten, and it's not going to get better. Between having the flu and recovering from that I wasn't able to post much last week, and I won't be able to post at all over the nest two weeks at least due to work and Christmas stuff.
Second, given that this is the case, I'm officially putting this game on hiatus until January 5th. That will hopefully give me some time to recharge so we can hit the ground running.
Again, apologies for the delay and the recent slowness.
Or it might be a whole week. Yeesh. I am sorry folks. New map is up!
It soon becomes clear to Moon that they will need to find and prepare a battlefield soon. Howls can be heard in the distance as the would be hunters seek to make the Heroes of Kassen the hunted. As swiftly as the ranger is able, she finds what looks like a good enough spot, a place where two game trails merge by a frozen stream as it wends its way through a gully.
The howls are closer now, maybe a minute away at best.
Place yourselves where you want to be when the fighting starts. I'll let y'all have two rounds to cast spells.
"Prince Kernan didn't gift me one, no," Emerald says, she tries to put on a brave face, but it's clear that she's frightened by the potential dangers of this coming fight.
I'll try to have a map up tomorrow or Wednesday, but it might be this weekend before I manage it.
"Could be a winter wolf," Emerald adds. "Some of them can get pretty big." She looks about nervously. "I wish I were still a dragon. Maybe I could scare them off, then."
Betzolte and Grobradon find the trail leading to the Bloodmoon camp, and they also notice that something appears to be stalking them as the Heroes move through the Fangwood. Goblin and wolf tracks, well hidden and showing atypical care and caution for goblins, cross the path the party follows.
Disturbingly, some of the wolf tracks appear to be much larger than any normal wolf's
With the dead goblins relieved of their gear and no better options, the Heroes of Kassen move along, deeper into a section of the Fangwood that grows thick and gnarled.
Can I get a survival check and three d20 rolls please.
Moon doesn't find anything written down, given that goblins think writing will steal the thoughts from their heads. She does find that the leader of the small band does have a map with the Manylegs' camp marked on it.
While the gear is indeed far better than what's found on most goblins, it's of gnomish or dwarven make and pretty old based on the wear and tear. More importantly, it's all sized for smaller folks, like halflings, gnomes, and goblins.
A closer inspection of the goblins reveals wolfish fangs and furry patches on their hides. The apparent leader has a wooden trinket carved to look like a full moon that is painted red and hangs from a leather thong around its neck.
I think I better just call it. They have 6 HP between them.
The goblins grin wolfishly before roaring and attacking. Despite their rage-fueled frenzy, both are cut down swiftly, the Heroes' ambush having proved decisive.
Loot:
3 small masterwork battleaxes
9 small pilums
3 small masterwork suits of chainmail
3 oil of magic weapon
6 potion of CLW
"What were they doing out here," Emerald asks after she catches up.
Moon and Histya take the trio by surprise, badly mauling two of them, but these goblins are made of sterner stuff than your average goblins, and their eyes light with joy and rage in equal measure as the rest of the Heroes of Kassen stumble onto the scene.
Moon and Histya creep up and find three goblins dressed in poorly tanned furs tromping through the snow. After a few moments of listening, Moon determines that they are grumbling about being out here to relay a message to the Manylegs camp instead of finding a good fight.
The night before
Emerald gives Betzolte a glare when she brings up the spiders.
"Just you wait, Betzolte. Dragons have long memories and I will remember this," she growls. "Maybe I'll convince some fey to steal all your left shoes and boots or one out of every pair of socks."
This morning
Nalka gives Betzolte a questioning look, but keeps any thoughts to herself as she shakes her head and sets out.
As the morning grows late, Grobradon and Moon hear something from ahead of the party further up the game trail they are following. After a few moments of quiet, they are able to pick out the voices of goblins. While the words are too garbled to make out even to their keen ears, they sound none-too-happy.
The morning comes cold and clear. The sun glitters off the snow and ice where it peeks through the branches and canopies of the Fangwood's trees. Nalka sets off to see what she can do for what's left of the Manylegs Tribe after breakfast, leaving the Heroes of Kassen to decide on what to do next. Consulting the map with the various goblin camps on it. You figure out that the next closest is the Bloodmoon camp.
Nalka looks around the group and doesn't see whatever it is she half-expects and half-fears. After a moment of thinking, she looks up at Grobradon and Moon.
"I can only make a promise for myself. I do not know if what is left of my tribe will listen to me. Still, I promise that I will never attack your tribe or any long--er--big folk again."
With a promise made, a campsite secured, and the tent back up, the chill and fatigue truly sets in and drives everyone into a hasty retreat inside. A hot meal and bath later, one that is sorely needed given typical goblin hygiene practices, Nalka falls fast asleep. The night passes peacefully for the Heroes of Kassen.
The same cannot be said for others out in the Fangwood.
Eye of the Crow:
Lugruk ground his teeth to keep the retort burning on his tongue from slipping out. No matter how angry he was, losing his temper with Ganny Black Tongue or Pappy Ruhk would only lead to a quick death or the dissolution of the alliance he'd put together with promises of easy prey and treasure.
Now it was looking as if some of the prey would not be so easy to run to ground. Rumors of dissention in the Stickfoot tribe, may that idiot Zuka be flayed alive for not killing Krosk when he came to power and the news that the traitors to Kassen and Halk's warband had been found dead were bad enough. There was also the attack that had freed the elves, and based on the descriptions the survivors had given, he'd run into the longshanks that had lead it before. The news that something appears to have happened to the Manylegs tribe did little to ease his nerves. It certainly didn't when delivered by a scowling Ganny Black Tongue and the massive ogre that lead the Grul clan.
"The Manylegs camp is large. Surely even if some of them were chased off, a handful of longshanks couldn't wipe out the entirety of the warband," Lugruk reasoned, though even to his own ears, he sounded as if he was trying to convince himself of that possibility. Details were scarce, but the mention of a fearsome elven woman, an orcin man, and a dwarven mage matched what he remembered the night his warband had been driven back and what he'd heard about the raid on the Gruls that had captured the now freed elves.
Again. They were embarrassing him again, he realized. His knuckles whitened as he squeezed on the arms of his war throne before Ganny's voice brought him back to the present.
"I must say, Lugruk, I had thought you more capable than this. I'll not waste my time on an incompetent," she said in a flat, dangerous voice. "Prove to me and Pappy Ruhk that you are capable of dealing with these pests, otherwise, we'll withdraw."
That statement stunned Lugruk unlike anything else in the past months. His blood ran cold as he ran through the implications of what the removal of their support could mean, especially if it's seen as a sign of weakness on his part.
"I understand," he said in a voice that was far calmer than he felt.
"Good," the hag said before leaving in eerie silence. He hated the cackle and how it unnerved him, but Lugruk never knew that its absence could be more disturbing.
He waited until he was sure that the pair were well away from his camp and swore viciously as he tore his throne room apart. It wasn't supposed to be like this! He should be able to crush Kassen with the forces he'd gathered, but now? Now it was all coming apart because of a handful of longshanks that should be dead, damn it!
He stood in the middle of the wrecked chamber for a moment, catching his breath, before calling for Rooshi, Khalakakhan, and the messenger he'd asked for Jugnar Greyfur to leave behind. By the time they had come, he'd composed himself.
"Go to Chief Jugnar Greyfur and tell him I have a task for him. Find the longshanks that are out there hunting our forces and kill them," he told the messenger. The goblin gave him a lupine grin as he saluted and ran off to deliver the Bloodmoon Tribe's orders. Then he turned to Rooshi, who was accompanied by a masked figure clad in black leather armor and dark clothing. The figure was short for a longshanks, but still stood a head taller than any goblin. He smiled seeing his mate's new bodyguard. That will no doubt be a major shock to the longshanks in town once they find out. As much as he wanted to see their faces as they were cut down by his entourage's newest member, he had too much to deal with here at his camp.
"Rooshi, take your band and make sure that the job is finished. Jugnar should be able to hurt them, but I want them dead. Make sure it happens, love."
"Of course, my lord," Rooshi said. "I shall see it done."
Going to give everyone the weekend to get leveled up. Monday, we move on to the next big encounter.
"B-b-but--" Nalka stammers as she stares at Moon with a dumbfounded expression. After a moment, she shakes her head as her gaze falls to her feet.
"You are crazy," she mutters before turning back to Moon. "Even if Krosk is willing to take me and the rest of my tribe in, what about him," she asks as she points to Grobradon. "I am his. Not Krosk's."
"Long--I mean, big folk would come kill us even if we did destroy the town. They come kill us if we only attack a few of them. If we killed lots, a lot more would come," Nalka answers. Her tone turns more resigned as she continues. "I do not trust Lugruk. He would use other tribes to tire out the big folk defending the town. It would make us weak. He may be a fool, but he is not stupid." She looks back towards the ruined Manylegs camp. "Most of the Manylegs Tribe is still back in the village. Most are too young or too old to fight. The other tribes will take the young and healthy and kill the rest. There is no Manylegs Tribe after today."
"There is trouble. Heard Krosk is challenging Zuka to become chieftain. Heard that the Stickfoot elders are struggling to keep the rest of the clan behind Zuka. All just rumors. Nothing more than that," Nalka says plainly.
Moon wrote:
"What do you know about the horde’s overall plans?"
Nalka thinks for a moment, clearly trying to organize her thoughts.
"Circle the town. Keep anyone from escaping. Then attack when the moon has eaten its fill. Not sure if that is still the plan. Heard that those from the town who were helping got killed."
Moon wrote:
"An why didn’t Okishi trust you?”
Nalka shifts from one foot to the other, looking away for a moment before forcing herself to look Moon in the eyes.
"I told her not to do this," she says confidently, though she looks as if she doesn't expect any of the heroes to believe her.
Nalka gives Moon a confused look but does what she can to help mend the wounds suffered by the party. Between her and Emerald, the Heroes' hurts are mended, leaving on the physical exhaustion from the long day. After some speculation about just camping here, it's pointed out that there are goblins who did manage to escape and could be looking for revenge and there could be spiders looking for an easy meal. It takes a couple of hours to find a suitable campsite well away from the devastated Manylegs camp, but between Grobradon and Moon, the Heroes of Kassen manage to find one that should be secure through the night. After setting the tent and working out a watch schedule, they get ready to eat and get some much deserved rest.
There is, however, one thing that the Heroes need to deal with, first.
"You said you had questions. I will try to answer them," Nalka says.
Magic Loot
12 Potions of Cure Light Wounds
4 Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds
2 Elixirs of Speak with Animals
2 Elixirs of Tree Shape
1 Potion of Magic Fang
1 Scroll of Flame Blade
2 Scrolls of Summon Nature's Ally I
2 Scrolls of Summon Nature's Ally II
2 Scrolls of Summon Swarm
1 Wand of Cure Light Wounds (20 charges)
1 Wand of Flame Blade (34 charges)
Mundane Loot (Small Size)
1 Masterwork Suit of Hide Armor
6 Master Chain Shirts
3 Masterwork Suits of Leather Armor
6 Masterwork Longbows
1 Masterwork Sling
1 Masterwork Dagger
1 Masterwork Spear
2 Masterwork Shortbows
Various trinkets, jewelry, and gems worth 500 gp in total
150 gp, 3400 sp, 10,500 cp
Okishi's signature golden spider fangs are worth 25 gp in just their weight of gold, but to the right buyer could be worth significantly more.
You also find enough preserved and edible (to y'all, at least) foodstuffs for 24 days worth of rations, though they are far from appetizing.
By the time the bodies and supplies are gone through for anything valuable, night has well and truly set in. The cold nips at exposed skin and the dying embers of the fires are steadily losing ground to the encroaching chill. Trophies secured, treasure gathered, and what's to be left behind ruined beyond recovery, even by goblins, you face two problems; where to find a suitable camp, and what to do with your goblin prisoner?
Betzolte cleaves the spider in twain before doing the same to its rider while Maidie and Emerald cut down the rangers with a barrage of spells and arrows, the last screams futilely as the dwarven warmage finishes it off. The goblin mob breaks under the combined assault of Moon, Erigga, and Zeyth-ar, blades and wind tearing the life from goblin bodies with ruthless dispatch. A very few manage to flee the onslaught. Most died before the fear could truly take hold. By the end of the fight, the only ones left alive in camp were the Heroes of Kassen, and one very nervous goblin acolyte (who is actually a druid.)
And with that, this marathon combat encounter is done!
"Meep? Is that the one Chief Lugruk called traitor," the goblin druid asks Grobradon as she hustles to keep up. She pointedly doesn't watch as Larry, Curly, and Moe swarm a goblin that managed to get past Moon and Erigga in the confusion. "She lives, I think," the goblin answers once Grobradon confirms that is the Meep he is referring to. "Chief Okishi said she heard that Lugruk has Meep and has something special planned for her. That was before we started hearing that something's going on with the Stickfoot tribe."
The goblin shrugs.
"That is all I know. Okishi--She didn't trust me."
Spider Web vs. Betz:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Image? 1 hits Betz:1d3 ⇒ 3
Ranger Confirm?:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Emerald continues to sing as she looks back and forth, uncertain of where to go. After a moment, she decides to do what she can to help and runs up to Betzolte and weaves magic into her words as she touches the enlarged dwarf's arm.
Betz heals 12 points of damage
The two goblins dive out of the way of Maidie's spell, if only just barely. As one tiptoes around the pit, the other barks at the spider rider and draws its bow before loosing an arrow the freshly healed dwarf's way, one that is swiftly followed by an arrow from the rider and a blob of webbing from the spider. Two of the images around Betz puff out of existence as the ethereal stuff they are made from is broken up by the arrow and the webbing from the spider. The ranger barking orders proves more deadly, nearly undoing all of the good that Emerald had just done.
Betz takes 3 points of damage. The confirmation roll only just missed.
Meanwhile, Zeyth-ar flies after the goblin mob and sends one of them flying into the brambles, then into a tree trunk. The mob turns their attention to the elemental warrior.
Grobradon caves in the skull of the goblin rider, giving the stirges a free meal and leaving only the one that had rushed up beside up to attack the rider. She drops her spear and raises her hands in obvious surrender.
Maidie's words ring out, and for a single, brittle moment, all goes still. The stunned silence lasts for but a scant few heartbeats, yet in that time it seems an eternity passes. The heroes of Kassen can almost hear the thoughts of the goblins.
Then there's a low, hungry growl that is more felt than heard. With the chieftain gone, there is a spot at the top for any goblin brave enough to claim it. With Okishi Goldfang gone, any loot from the longshanks in their midst is theirs for the taking. Greed and vanity overcome good sense and the goblins regain their will to fight. Moon sees the mass of goblins move down the western path, slowed by the narrow passage, but moving nonetheless. Everyone can hear the chittering of goblin voices planning and bargaining. First the longshanks, then they'll decide who's the new chieftain of the Many Legs tribe.
The goblin next to Erigga, still blinded by the spell cast at the start of the fight pulls out its sword and flails about as it runs in circles before crashing into a tent.
Erigga get's an Attack of Opportunity
Meanwhile, the goblin next to Grobradon looks at him with surprise at first before sneering at the much larger half-orc as he sees the goblin coming up behind the druid.
"I eats bugs bigger than these for breakfast," it sneers as it gets ready to strike out in vengeance for his mount.
Not all of the goblins are swept up in the blood frenzy that falls over the survivors of the Manylegs Tribe. The unfortunate goblin that Okishi had beaten half-to-death lays on the ground, still alive, but barely aware of her surroundings. Her fellow, however, is very much aware of her surroundings and how their warband has been mauled. She decides to throw her lot in with the longshanks, much to the goblin rider's surprise.
Her spear doesn't get past the goblin rider's armor, however, and he retaliates with an equally ineffectual slash at her.
Free from the goblin horde, Betzolte turns her fury on the spider that had dared weakened her. Despite being as close to mindless as a creature can be, fear shows in its beady eyes as the dwarven warmage starts to hack it apart.
Histya mauls one of the blind rangers to death, his screams echoing off the surrounding trees as the life is torn from him. His deathcry is joined by others as Erigga turns into a berserk whirlwind of death, cutting down goblins left and right before the mob breaks and the few survivors run for their lives.
Moon, meanhile, chases down Okishi, the chieftain. The goblin looks up from the spell she was beginning to cast and sees the half-elf moving in for the kill. Her scream of defiance is a frail thing when pitted against steel forged by Braggar's hands and enchanted by fey magics. The scream turns into one of pain and fear as Moon slices through goblin flesh and severs Okishi's arm above the elbow. Her legs follow, leaving her sitting on the ground with bloody stumps trailing blood as the Manylegs chieftain tries to put any distance she can between herself and Moon that she can.
"No! NO! SPARE ME--" She starts to beg, but her plea for mercy dies as her head flies from her neck. For one fleeting instance, Okishi sees the doom that has befallen her tribe as her head spins through the air. She sees the pile of corpses left behind by Erigga, the dead ranger under Histya, then her own maimed body collapsing to the forest floor. Finally, she sees Moon's pitiless eyes as they watch Okishi Goldfang's head fall.
Then all goes black for the chieftain as Pharasma claims her to be judged.
I'll let Betz and Grob act before moving onto the goblins' reactions to this new development.
Zeyth-ar cracks the spider's carapace, and Maidie's barrage finishes it off, coating a poor, starting to panic Emerald in ichor. The look she gives the tiny wizardess is a mixture of gratitude and disgust.
Unfortunately, the elemental's efforts against the swarm of goblins is less successful, and only manages to ruffle the hair on some as they dodge out of the way.
That's still a fail and it will affect Betz after Enlarge Person wears off, so... Betz STR damage:1d2 ⇒ 1
Emerald continues to sing as she shifts to get a better line of fire on the spider that attacked Erigga after deciding that it is too risky to try attacking the goblins while two of her allies are within them.
Troop Damage vs. Erigga and Betzolte:2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
Spider CMB vs. Stirge 3 CMD 17:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 Goblin Ride to hang on DC 15:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Moon and Histya act with lethal dispatch, gravely wounding Okishi and killing her flailing spider with blade and fang while Maidie adds insult to injury, slamming the now embattled chieftain with a barrage of arcane bolts. Badly hurt, the craven chief of the Manylegs tribe grabs the now half-conscious and blinded acolyte she'd been beating and flings it Moon before running away while the deadly ranger is distracted.
Okishi takes the withdrawal action. The acolyte is effectively out of the fight.
Meanwhile, Grob and his stirges attack the surprised goblin rider and spider. Only one stirge manages to land it's attack, and it buzzes happily as it sucks the ichor of the spider as it flies into a frenzy in an attempt to dislodge it. It is happy, that is, until the spider manages to fling it and the goblin riding it off. The goblin lands prone and tries to pick itself up (provoking an attack of opportunity from Grob in the process,) while the stirge buzzes angrily at the spider for interrupting its meal.
Erigga and Betzolte, however, are not so lucky. They do their best to fend off spiders and goblins, but they are simply overwhelmed. Thankfully, the shrieking fearful screams from their chief as she flees Moon take their heart for the fight from them. The spiders, however, have no such qualms, and attack with the fervor of the unthinking vermin they are. the one that had poisoned Betzolte attacks the dwarven wizardess again while the one that had attacked Erigga goes after Emerald after a command from a goblin directs the now enraged spider's ire at the dragon turned girl. Thankfully, Emerald proves a much harder target to hit as she fends off the spiders fangs.
Meanwhile, the other goblins navigate the maze of passages to come around the heroes and strike them from behind. One even manages to glimpse Grobradon as he and his pretty stirges, which the goblin acolyte must admit are very pretty, as they attack one of the spider riders. Seeing how poorly her fellow tribesgoblin is fairing, she is having second and third thoughts about the wisdom of following one Okishi Goldfang and her new ally, Lugruk.
Betzolte, you take 6 points of damage total and another 1d2 STR damage from the poison if you fail a DC 14 FORT save.
Erriga takes 3 points of damage.
Grobradon gets an AoO on the goblin rider as he stands up.
Zeyth-ar gets an AoO on the spider as it goes to attack Emerald.
Emerald's Actions
Surprise: Start Inspire Courage
Move: Move 30ft.
Standard: Loose an arrow
Emerald follows Maidie down the passage as she begins to sing a rousing dwarven tavern song that, appropriately enough, is about chopping goblins down. She takes aim and looses an arrow at the mass of goblins close to Erigga. Unfortunately, she only manages to graze one of their number.
Goblin Troop 1 vs. Erigga and Betzolte:3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 5) = 13
Erigga, however, cuts down several of the goblins as Maidie and Zeyth-ar announce their presence with an impressive display of elemental might and magic, which only adds to the effect of Betzolte's entrance.
"Kill them longshanks," Okishi shrieks, undermining the steel she tries to put into the command. The goblins all look about fearfully, wondering if they should run or not. The screams of terror as Maidie's spell blinds most of Okishi Goldfang's guards and her mount, which panics and bucks the goblin chieftain off, only add to their uncertainty.
The spiders have no such qualms and rush to bite at Betzolte and Erigga. Both manage to sink their fangs into the two warrior women, injecting poison into both of their veins.
Seeing the two spiders hit the two, the goblins closest to them rush in, smelling blood.
Two of the goblin rangers, one of the riders, and the other mass of goblins head to the northern passage.
Meanwhile, Okishi picks herself up and screams imprecations at the blinded acolyte as she beats the unfortunate goblin with her staff. The other acolyte runs into the treeline while the goblin chief is distracted.
The other goblin rider passes right over Moon and Histya, unaware the pair are there.
Erigga takes 18 damage and needs to make a DC14 Fort save or take 1d2 STR damage.
Betzolte takes 17 piercing damage and needs to make a DC14 Fort save or take 1d2 STR damage.
The Heroes of Kassen move quietly into position. Other than a tense moment when Grob snaps an unseen branch, they move with a competent smoothness that belies their youth. The golden-fanged goblin that appears to be the leader continues to rant and rail, unaware of the doom about to befall its tribe. This must be Okishi Goldfang, one of the goblin chiefs Meep spoke about what seems so long ago. The other goblins are just as clueless as their chief about what will soon befall them.
Everyone may act. You have the drop on them, so you can do the surprise round (move or standard action) and your first round of actions.
Alrighty, everyone give me a DC 12 Stealth check. You get a +5 bonus due to all of the goblins being distracted. This is a skill challenge type deal, so more of you need to pass than to fail.
Okay, I have people put where I think they the plan is for them to be. Please check the map and make sure I've got it right. Then we can kick this off.
