A few moments go by and the hobgoblin commander yells out,
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"Satisfied? Now pay-up!"
The scale moves slowly towards over to Kalim for inspection. Kalim you figure the hobgoblin commander is using either mage hand or telekinesis to manipulate the scale. when the scale arrives it weights 4 or 5 pounds.
'You...talky dwarf come forward to 50 feet and have yer sorcerer come fly down to examine the scale, stop 50 ft from me army. Toss pouch of coin this way. I will then magically send the scale t'wards you for examination." When he mentions the sorcerer he points directly at Kalim. It's clear that he can see the invisible flying spellcaster. He wiggles his fingers and large scale begins to hover and move forward.
"Hey don't get snippy we've fought multiple armies, this wouldn't even be an interesting enough victory to brag about." "You no see mighty kobold army fight." he thumps his chest.
"No reason for violent conflict. We are merely trying to see if we have the material to meet your price. Would you be interested in unholy potions? We have quite a few on hand." "You demon-worshippers?" The spellcaster commander asks. "Didn't figure you for evil-uns." He waves off the potions, "No....No."
the hobgoblin shouts.
Spoiler:
Duncan you sense that this hobgoblin can be a trickster and that he could try to pull a fast one on you guys if you aren't careful. "Me and me band are good scrying where the battles gonna be and then we walk b'ween the ethers, we scavenge battles for treasures." "The price is the price, you can deal or not deal, it doesn't matter to me. If you're crazy 'nough to want to fight ov'r it you'll be the focus of my disintegrate spell, then when your sorcerer tosses a spell at me it'll be absorbed or ricocheted, and who knows maybe everyone gits to meets a dinosaur face-t-face." He seems a bit annoyed when questioned about the price.
There is long pause before the Hobgoblin answers. "Yes here here. Silv'r be nearly as good as gold, useful for all sorts of things, 10,000 gold pieces. Not that fools gold either I can see through that gimmick." there is another quick pause then he adds. "I take genuine gems too....pearls and diamonds are me favorite. Good use for those."
DM:
"Treasures like that are hard to come by. Argnak didn't kill the silver jus' immobilized her and took her away. Don't think magjicks can bring back the living." ther is pause, "Course I can sell you a scale for a handsome price if you really want it." Duncan and Karnog you get a sense he is being truthful in your negotiations.
"I've got green, black, and red scales fer sale."
'We've found valuable dragon scale but it's worth lots of gold. Makes perfect armor...fer my soldiers."
In reply. "HAIL...we scavenge battlefields. No need fer hostilities. Jus' looking for remnants and what brings you to field?"
"A day n' a h'lf day ago, we's be out lukin' fer meat. A winged bat creature that lurchy walked, they had long tongues makes us freeze. Killed everyone but me, I hide and then run. I sees comrades come back to life as other things....creeepy things."
RD 5: Hobo actions The two reaming enemy they attack Malcolm and Grung this time, At Malcolm ; crit range: 17-20 ; crit range: 17-20 It looks like both attack hit, unless there is boost to his AC, the damage is 36HP At Grung hobgoblin warrior priest ; crit range: 17-20 ; crit range: 17-20 confirming crit
Looks like the wicked longsword shredded the dwarf's flank for 29HP.
The hobgoblin blinks twice hard but he retains his vision.
Kalim lets his fireball go 20 feet beyond the door, the blast catches two well armed hobgolblin fighter/clerics of orcus. The bloody hand holding a skull adorns their armor and shield.
The blasts catches the disciple for 30 HP.
The blasts catches the disciple for 15 HP. DM Only Buffs: Bull str +2 att/Dam PFG: (against good) +2 AC, second save against mental control, prot form good summon creatures Divine Favor: +2 att/Dam
"Don't know you, but you wait, we open door right up." There is shuffling behind the door.
"You can see it is useless to resist...throw down your arms."
Torbitz responding to Kalim's taunt. "You've no concept of REAL power or the depths of evil you fool. Your petty allies already flee in fear." the tentacles seem to have no effect on him whatsoever.
Another voice rings out. "Who presents themselves to His Holiness, Torbitz, to be graced with wealth, praises and good fortune, or do you choose death and your sacrifice to the ruler of them all Orcus. Your plotting and scheming is known, for our eyes and knowledge extend throughout this wondrous city. You think we are blind and your nasty nightcrawling scum the only ones capable of arcane seeing?"
"An audience is that what you think your actions garner? An audience with Lord Tribitz? Yes, yes...he would like such a meeting."
Purbok and his captains have you escorted back into the the small side chamber, "Took you long 'nuf. Another group was about to enter." he seems somewhat pleased that the task was completed. "Orcus pleased with these events." You do did see his band of patriots lining the pillar hallway and the within the staging cavern. (15 foot soldiers, 10, sergeants/elite, 5 lieutenants, 2 captains, and Purbok who you figure is a fighter/priest) There is also an underpriest there to receive you as a representative of Tribitz. "Our esteem leader, Lord Tribitz, is pleased with your work."
The party opens the door and proceeds to file out of the room, Felicitas standing near the front of the line to ease the diplomatic tension. The hobgolbins and goblins scramble at the sound fo the door opening, quite unsure of what emerging, they breathe a sigh of relief to see the party that went in four days earlier emerge. there eyes focusing on the the large ogre who is dragging part of head and tail of the pyrohydra. At this sight a few of the hobgoblins actually smile and clap.
"You need to get through the door, where it is after that is for you to determine. No one has come back to relay information..
You are eventually led to an adjoining cavern. There a massive hobgolbin with a retinue (25) of guards along with two Captains stand ready to greet your group. "I be PURBOK, I understand you came to fight the hydra. Is this your desire? Who are you and why do you seek this glory? What do you seek in return if you accomplish this great deed of heroism?"
"Outpost within an hour's walk...shorter with run." He frowns at the thought of disruption at the outpost. "Could work but some loyal to me, not many priests there." You sense he isn't totally good with the idea of attacking the outpost and disrupting the backdoor. it doesn't take long to realize that the outpost is Xil's idea, not the Herzod's.
"Well that's just poor planning. You should always have one person in the back to tell the tale of how his party died. Or at least send in a scout and a scapegoat." "Tribitz not as smart as Herzord. You send in scout first." He cracks a smile.
Responding to Desmond's question, "No one live to tell."
"Anyone have any more questions?
"If you want, you do so."
He chuckles, "Yes hydra, with many heads, sent to curse city to punish Orcus. It wandered up via the northern passage, which stretches north for several miles before it connects with a long, wide, east-west tunnel in the Under Realms. Herzod learn the hydra was sent by Hecate, goddess of magic, as a curse against the Orcus clerics for corrupting Phalen, one of her prized disciple. Now hydra beginning to cause problems and Tribitz looking to have someone else handle it, he no want to risk his own resources. He no want to lose face more like it." You gather there have been several attempts by outside mercenaries to deal with the hydra issue and it is pressing Tribitz, sort of a thorn in his side, so he has been meeting with adventuring parties. "You go back after rest, announce you be willing to fight Hydra, then Tribitz meet you. You kill him and some of his cleircs."
He hunts through a box on his desk and pulls out a few scrolls, "These help? I get them off dead. You agree, then i give." There is an arcane and divine version of dimensional anchor.
Delay poison (arcane bard)
"Tribitz is a goblin who gets divine power, like his underlyings. He thinks a second, "Xil try to help before brought up drow to do job but they trapped. Zerna, her name, she hates Orcus. She has drow with her, they may help if you find them. They be on other side of river and lake where main temples be located. "You get to other side by being great hydra killers, they looking for brave warriors to defeat hydra sent my Hecate, to torment Orcus followers."
Greznek good city but could be great with new leader. I despises and distrusts Tribitz, he move citizens towards more darkness. Me think that no good. He too preachy, zealot."
"Me keep city safe, me hero, but people like Tribitz more." He thumps his temple with a finger to indicate they are influenced by religion or brainwashed. "Me want him dead, you do that, then people don't think me involved." "You bring me the head of Tribitz and some of his underpriest, me give you 1000 platinum, 2000 diamond value, 2000 emerald value, and staff of fire. You benefit," he points to Karnog and Malcolm, "less Orcus, more rational rule."
Before he chats he waits for each person to shoot back the booze.
"Relax...I no kill you, you no kill me today. You guest, you drink with me, we talk." One of his subordinates brings forth a smoky black bottle of liquor, "Good drink." As the aid pours everyone a shot of the alcohol. He pick his up and shoots it down the hatch without flinching. "You have sanctuary."
"Where is it? blow the horn." there are three short toots form a horn hanging around one of the guards neck.
"He brought at least 10 - 12 with him, I know he had a caster with him."
"Poltur promised money and a position of command once the Baron broke free. Yesterday he was over there in the islands, he's been there a few days now...we were waiting on reinforcements from the Baron."
"Cooperate - Yes, Yes - I cooperate."
If recall the pit is 30 feet deep and well, he's a wizard. He tries to toss somethings up with mixed results.
Wow he actually tossed his quarterstaff up.
The orc responds, "Surrender."
RD 8 Red Orogs the last fighter swings at BUG, ; He hits hard as an artery is opened wide.
The villagers near the door scramble out of the boathouse. While the monk moves around to launches a fierce blow at Bug, ; he lands a solid kick to Bug's noggin.
Rd 7; Red Orog: The cloud now dissipated the orog focuses on a Bug, ;
RD 7: Yellow Orog The wizard prepares to use his wand if something emerges from the wall or the cloud. The monk will move to I:8 and touch the wall as he prepares to punch it.
RD 6: Red Orog The remaining figter swings his great axe upward hoping to whack off the warpriest's groin. ; He misses terribly. RD 6: Targus is confused about the wall and how much space is in the room. don't remember the wall. He will back away from the opening to let others get in.
RD 6: yellow orogs The monk quaff healing potions,
the wizard searches and retrieves a wand.
RD 5: Red Orogs The orog facing off with Targus jabs at the large beast. ; The other one isn't doing anything. he strikes the werebear...barely.
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