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Several ghosts begin to gather near the nearest goblin as Tekumbray lines up a shot with his bow. Initiating another barrage of bloodshed, the gnome lets the arrow fly upon the unwitting creature. He doesn't wait to see the result of his shot, instead slinking back into the shadows and readying his short blade for close up work.
No worries. Glad you are feeling better.
As the others position themselves, Tekumbray sneaks up to the corner and tries to get a better look at the enemy.
Tekumbray looks up and down the intersecting passage and with a slight shrug back toward his companions, starts to move down the left hand passage.
Yep, left works for me.
Tek pauses for a moment to look over the numerous passages leaving the large open room. Finally with a shrug he sneaks toward the one he'd seen the goblins flee into earlier.
Going back out to the main chamber, Tekumbray slides down the pole. He feet strike the ground with a soft thump. Within the blink of an eye the gnome and ducks into the shadows where he watches and listens for any sign of other goblins while readying his bow once again.
"#$%^^$!" Tek curses bitterly upon seeing the goblin mother and her charges. Oh my! Exclaims Mari slurping up with last of her cottony soul candy. Now this is a pickle isn't it my death dealing friend. Certainly if you turn your back on her, she'll come sneaking out to stab you and your friends in the most conniving manner possible. And yet, chopping down a mother and her little goblins off spring...well, how much of a murder hobo are you gonna be? Hmmmm? The ghost leans down to gaze into Tek's eyes for a moment as the gnome struggles to answer the question within his own mind and heart. Sure they'd already slain half her clan and will likely put much of the other half to the blade as well, but he had to draw the line somewhere. The bow aimed at the elder goblin's heart quivers in his hand for several seconds until a primal growl emerges in his throat. At the final moment the arrow tip moves slightly off target. The bow string snaps and the arrow flies.
Tek waves to Adonius as the wolfman contemplates the leap further down into the pit. Gesturing toward the tunnel Cayde is disappearing into, the gnome points and then follows the big warrior into the unknown.
Based on the map, it kind of looks that way, but I can't be sure. Oh...maybe not. It looks like there is another tunnel to the north of that ledge in the big round chamber where the goblins dropped down to the floor below. Guess we'd want to go check that out.
Looking out over the open space of the lake, Tek tucks his fist against his hips for a moment and catches his breath as he takes in the view. I miss lakes. Swimming in them. Feeling the water all around you. Cold, crisp, refreshing. The ghost of Mari stands beside the gnome. As she speaks, a black tongue stretches out from between pale blue lips to lick as a cotton-like, sticky substance wrapped around a thin bladed knife. For just a moment Tek sees a single frightened eye blink at him from within the strange looking festival treat. "Uh...what are you eating?" He quietly asks the ghost. Taking another slurp which leaves a long strand dangling along her chin. She offers Tek a dead eyed smile. Goblin spirits. She says happily. If you catch 'em just right you can loop 'em 'round a stick or a blade and eat like that sugary, sweet angel hair they sometimes have at carnivals and festivals. With all the souls you and your friends have been freeing from life, I couldn't resist. She looks down at her immortally slender frame, runs a hand along her belly and thighs. You don't think its making me look fat do you. Tek quickly looks away shaking his head. "No. No absolutely not." Suddenly finding himself no longer interested in the lake, the gnome turns to his companions. "So it looks like it is down another pole, in order to continue the clearing of the den. Unless you think we've weakened them enough to eliminate their threat to the city." For some reason, the thrill of the chase and battle was beginning to make him a little queasy as he spotted another ghost gnawing at a similar soul-treat.
Tekumbray nods at the wolf and hurries back to the first tee intersection they encountered. Once there he sticks to the shadows and proceeds carefully down the wide unexplored tunnel.
Tekumbray hurries along to catch up with the others. Grabbing an arrow on the run, he tries to get a line on one of the fleeing goblins, firing if he gets a clean shot as they flee and his companions pursue.
I never did learn to speak Goblin. Mari says to Tekumbray as she sinks her ghostly teeth into an equally deathly pale apple. Probably should have, but well... She shrugs and waves her apple filled hand along her mostly aethereal form. Tekumbray nods. "It's never been high on my priority list." The gnome says under his breath watching Cayde, Adonius, and Baheera charge the fleeing goblins. "Doubt there will be any survivors able or willing to teach us when this is all over." He readies another arrow and spends a few moments listening back down the tunnel for any sign the goblins might be trying to circle around to their rear. "So, I guess we'll just have to assume their cursing us and our mothers and plan to try and carve us up like a flock of feasting geese." Mari smiles, nods thoughtfully and takes another bite of her dead apple.
Tekumbray scurries across the tunnel to give himself a clear line of fire in the direction the goblins are charging from. He stands ready to send an arrow streaking toward the second foe that comes around the corner.
Tek performs a quick search of the room and bodies to see if there is anything of use or value, including replacing the duo of arrows he used. Once completed he hurries back to the entrance to join the others and move further up the passage.
Cursing at the confounded tripping stone, Tekumbray regains his balance and winces as thunder rumbles across the room. He glances up and down the corridor before quickly aiming and firing at one of the spear tossing goblins. He then ducks into the shadows, carefully watching where he steps to avoid any nefarious rocks.
With everyone in position, Tek unleashes his first arrow upon the unsuspecting goblins. He then ducks into the shadows and readies another arrow.
Tekumbray quietly steps back a pace signalling his companions the number of goblins arguing in the room. Assuming an attack is coming, his readies his bow and slips into the shadows with a line on the closest potential foes giving the others time to get into position.
Tek nods at Adonius as he squints into the darkness, letting his eyes adjust to whatever warmth might exist within the cold dank goblin caves. What's up Tek?" The ghost of Mari pops up looking over the gnome's shoulder causing the gnome to practically jump out of his skin. He quickly acts like he just tripped on a stone, and tries to laugh it off. Of course, there is no stone to trip on in the area. Going after more goblins, eh? Better be careful, they can be tricky little buggers. With a sigh, Tek dutifully ignores the ghost and quietly moves up to peer down the tunnel branching off to the north.
Following the others, Tekumbray grabs the pole and slides down into the darkness below.
With nothing else seemingly in the area, Tekumbray leads the way back to the chamber with the pole leading down into the darkness. First, checking to make sure nothing has been disturbed since he was last here, he then points down the gloomy tunnel. "I guess I missed that earlier." He says with a concerned frown at his own lapse. "Let's give that a look. Maybe it loops around to the other caverns." He moves ahead cautiously watching for traps or ambushes.
Offering his companions a quick shrug of his shoulders. Tekumbray back tracks toward the two areas tunnels they still haven't explored. The first being the one blocked by the portcullis. Stopping to examine the barrier, the gnome looks for any mechanism or hidden trick that might lift the gate. But not really finding anything, he decides instead to see where the other end of the long tunnel to the south might lead. All the while he tries to keep and eye and ear out for any goblins who might be waiting in ambush or trying to sneak up on them.
No really trusting the curing and preservation methods of goblins, Tekumbray decides to avoid the meat and fish and instead takes a moment to eat a few bites of the rations gained from their city dwelling allies. Entering the second chamber, the gnome takes a careful look around. He is especially wary of the gloomy shaft and whatever could be lurking in its dark depths.
With the crude barrier covering the opening, Tek nods to the others and moves off toward the unexplored caves in the northwest where several of the goblin warriors emerged from earlier. Cautious of potential ambush, the gnome does his best to move quietly and with eyes peeled for any sign of traps or hidden goblins.
Tek looks up to Cayde and Adonius and gives a quick nod. "You're right. We should check the other caves first." Before leaving the area he looks at and tugs the pole a few times to see if it would be easy to pull up. "If possible, it might be a good idea if we could close this off quickly to keep some of them from sneaking up on our backs." He adds looking around for a table or some oversized pieces of wood that could quickly be put across the opening.
Frowning at the hole with the pole diving into the dark depths, Tek shakes his head. "I don't envy dropping down there without knowing a bit more." He says. Then he eyes alight on Baheera and the little imp fluttering one her shoulder. "Baheera, would your clever friend be willing to fly down and take a quick peek at what's below?"
With a firm nod, Tek stands and stretches his back eliciting several loud pops. Rechecking his bow and the fit of his sword at his belt he seems content and ready to move. "Aye, so we will press the attack." He says pondering exactly which direction to press. He eyes the rickety rope bridge with a hefty amount of skepticism and finally turns back toward the south entrance. "I think there was another cavern we passed beyond that secret door we first found." He says. "Let's see if that leads to a back way into the rest of their nest."
Having restocked his quivers and grabbed a second, the gnome turns to his companions. "How fare you comrades?" He says rubbing a knot in his shoulder. "We have bloodied their noses for certain. But I don't know if we've knocked them out for good." Calculating eyes peer into the dark tunnels. "I would guess even now they plot a counter strike if we linger too long. Shall we press forward or do we fall back to the city to recover and regain our strength for another push? For it is certain, they are much weaker now than when the glass first turned at the start of this day." He looks at Cayde, Adonius, and Baheera, waiting to hear what they would choose to do.
Breathing heavily Tekumbray warily watches and listens for signs of any more goblins nearby. Not noticing any immediate threats the gnome relaxes his grip on his bow. Nodding back toward the caves he looks to his companions. "A quick search?" He asks. "I for one could use a few of those arrows a couple of them were carrying."
Snatching his bow back into hand, Tekumbray tries to fire a quick shot at the final fleeing goblin.
Tek hurries ahead and sees the goblin on the zipline. Without any hesitation, the gnome grabs his dagger and quickly cuts the rope.
Tek moves ahead with Cayde and fires another arrow at the fleeing goblins. He didn't really feel good about running the creatures down, but the thought of the evil little monsters sounding alarms or taking revenge on the city population later quickly squelches that concern and he draws another arrow.
Tekumbray follows Cayde across the room and into the other tunnel stopping to fire as he tries to get a line on the fleeing goblin at the front of the line.
Seeing the goblins turn and run, Tekumbray let's another arrow fly at the one closest to the tunnel. "We should pursue." He says to his companions. "Before they can rally reinforcements or flee to the citadel to warn Zargon of our presence." He moves forward into the room grabbing another arrow as he moves.
Shutting the howling ghosts from his mind as they celebrate the feast of new souls to greet into the afterlife, Tek continues to load, draw and fire from his shadow-filled nook along the tunnel wall. This time he chooses to strike at the charging creature third back from the front, hoping that maybe by striking at those further back the will of the others to continue the charge might be quickly broken.
From his niche in the rocks Tekumbray spots another opening through the melee. The ghosts surrounding him all nod grimly and look on with void-eyed anticipation as the arrow flies and strikes another of the approaching goblins with uncanny precision. He then disappears once again behind the fighting warriors and into the shadows.
From within the shadows, Tekumbray watches as two more emerge from the tunnel in the east. Focusing his attention on the first he draws, almost releases but adjusts at the last moment as Adonius shifts in preparation for the other goblins rushing toward their position. The gnome breathes. Waits. An opening. Snap of bow, hiss of flight, and a hit. Moments later Tekumbray as he slips back into the shadows, the gnome sees a flurry of ghosts whirl around the second goblin. Their hungry hands grasp and cling to the little creature, sending cold chills of death rippling through its body.
Tekumbray listens and quickly glances back down the passage to make sure no one is coming at them from behind. With the way still looking clear, the gnome then fires another arrow at one of the uninjured charging goblins before utterly disappearing back into the shadows.
Tekumbray steps across the tunnel to the opposite wall and calls to his companions to fall back down the tunnel they'd just left. "We might be able to circle back around on them." He says quietly, while readying one last arrow to send across the room when the first goblin comes into view.
Slinking through the shadows in order to get a clearer view, Tekumbray quickly draws and fires trying to silence the hollering goblin near Cayde.
Seeing the goblin come skulking around the corner, Tekumbray lets his arrow fly.
With only three goblins in sight, Tekumbray quickly relays their number and position to Adonius, Baheera, and Cayde. He also gives the warning that they are alert and waiting. Suddenly an idea pops into his head. From his hidden vantage point he begins to whisper softly. A few moments later the clatter and clamor of goblins laughing and in pursuit of a wounded adventurer fill the tunnel and slowly falls away. Hoping the little bit of misleading magic would draw the creatures out of their positions and into the tunnel, the gnome once again readies his arrow.
With a nod and signal to the others, Tekumbray creeps silently to where he can get a peek at the second chamber. Bow at the ready he lines up a shot preparing to ambush the ambushers.
Breathing a sigh of relief as the last goblin falls dead, Tekumbray quickly ducks back into the shadows and watches for any sign that the other group was coming to investigate the noise.
Tekumbray sends another arrow flying from the shadows toward the remaining archer. Nodding with satisfaction as the strike lands, the gnome ducks back into the shadows and readies another arrow.
Wincing as yet another arrow manages to find him even as he lurked in the shadows, Tekumbray does his best to return fire with some semblance of accuracy.
Geez, are you trying to get yourself killed. The voice of Esme's ghost whispers in his ear. Tek had liked the halfling and was broken hearted when she fell into that mirror and into some void-like pocket dimension. I swear someone pushed me. I think it was that bastard mage, Alain. Always paranoid that I was going to snitch his spell supplies. Like, I'd any use for dried newt eyes and cobwebs. Pfftt. You ever see that walking pile of beetle dung, tell him I'm waiting for him. "You know I'm a little busy here." Tek whispers through clenched teeth as he aims, draws and releases another arrow only to watch it once again completely miss the target. "Not really a good time to talk about old grudges. Besides Alain, wasn't there. He was with lord whatshisname. You...you just tripped." Tek doesn't turn toward what he knows to be Esme's look of disapproval. Instead he does his best to duck into the shadows and out of sight of the goblins.
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