Biting down on her lower lip Yin gently removes the straws from the human. "I'm sure we can Manny" She assures the knight in a whisper "I'm no healer myself but should be able to help a little, I think.."
Shivering a little she looks up and over at Manfred. "Do you think maybe you could help me get them down once I've got all of these.. draining devices.. out?"
As Yin pulls the little pieces of straw out, she tears open wounds that had started to scar over. She realizes that to provide any relief she'd need to cauterize or bandage the wounds in some way. Fire springs to mind. She realizes though, looking at them, that there is little chance these creatures will ever recover fully.
The hobgoblin angrily glares out from behind the wreckage of the dwarven still and speaks in goblin.
Spoiler:"Azubal!" the hobgoblin hisses defiantly. "Azubal will feast upon you and throw your carcass from the spires."
Orlan glares right back with a scowl so harsh and determined that only a dwarf's face could express it. He leans down and takes a fistful of the hobgoblin's ratty tunic and pulls him to his feet.
In Goblin:
He shoves the hobgoblin against the ruined dwarven still and starts asking even more pointed questions. "Tell me 'bout this Azubal?" he demands, "What manner o' creature it be ta keep a larder full o' bodies ta collect their blood? Where'd all these creatures come from? Another dwarf passed thru here about three months ago. Did he meet this Azubal, too? How many o' yer kin are workin' fer Azubal? Where can we be findin' him?"
Once he gets as much information as he can from the hobgoblin, he shakes it one more time and then hauls back a mailed fist and punches him square in the face.
Orlan's punch with gauntlet... (1d20+5 = 25 to hit with another natural 20! How timely! ...1d3+3 = 4 damage)
Confirm critical threat... (1d20+5 = 15 to hit)
Additional damage from critical hit... (1d3+3 = 6 damage)
He then drops the bloody beast to the floor and spits on it before turning to regard the others. In the strained silence following his brutality, Orlan hears Manfred and Yin questioning what they should do about those hanging from the ceiling.
Sir Manfred asks; "Is there anything we can do to help these poor devils? I am no kind of healer."
"Aye...there be somethin' I can do," Orlan nods, "Cut'em down, Manfred. Quarrel? Give 'im a hand. Put 'em on the ground there. Let's get those straws out of 'em. And gather 'em around. We'll see if Torag can't be blessin' these poor souls as well. We get enough of 'em on their feet, we can send 'em outta here. And maybe we piss off whatever's been doin' this enough ta get its attention. And when we do...well, I got an anger powerful enough ta match whatever it might be sendin' our way."
With that, Orlan assists in cutting down the bodies. Any that are still alive, he makes sure they're within the limits of his healing ability. Then, he uses his final channeling ability for the day to offer up another prayer to Torag.
"Forgefather hear my prayer," the dwarf bows his head, "These poor souls have suffered fer far too long in the halls of muh kin. Lend 'em yer strength mighty Torag. Reforge their spirits and protect 'em from the fiend that brought this sufferin' upon 'em. And strengthen us as we bring justice ta those deservin' of a most thorough beatin' fer this act of evil..."
Healing check... (1d6 = 4 hit points restored)
Yin gives a small upset sound as she tears open a wound. "I hope Torag can fix them, because I could patch them up, but they wouldn't entirely recover... I.." She shakes her head and takes a step backwards, letting the stronger party members get the bodies down and giving Orlan room to call upon the blessings of his deity.
Kamris regards the entire scene with an unreadable expression.
"We were told of the blood-drinker; maybe this Azubal is he."
Kamris regards the entire scene with an unreadable expression. "We were told of the blood-drinker; maybe this Azubal is he."
"Aye. I only half-believed it 'til now..." Orlan grimly nods, "But this Azubal has a day of reckonin' comin' his way as of right now..."
When Orlan calls upon Torag to strengthen the weak, the emaciated victims of Azubal begin to cough and sputter. They are alive and conscious but barely so. Whatever they've been through has left them heavily scarred.
Quarrel looks sadly at his brother. "We go kill Azubal?" he asks.
Yin settles herself beside the human and places a hand tenderly on their forehead in the hopes of keeping them calm as they awaken.
Sir Manfred carefully cuts down those victims and lays them down carefully out of the way.
Quarrel looks sadly at his brother. "We go kill Azubal?" he asks.
"Nah," Orlan shakes his head and claps the bugbear warrior on the arm, "Yuh get yer brother out o' here, friend. Yuh done seen what the worst o' these goblins and hobgoblins have resorted ta doin' fer this Azubal. Yuh make sure yuh let yer kin know about it and keep'em away from here. The Hammerfoe dwarves'll be returnin' here and we'll take this Azubal apart. And seein' as how I and me cousin are Hammerfoes, maybe we'll be takin' care o' that job long before our kin get here."
The dwarf gestures at the other severely weakened people as well. "It's up ta yuh to get all of these people down from the Spires," he says, "Just see 'em down ta the bridge and then go yer separate ways. It's best if'n yuh don't see 'em back to their village anyway. Their kind might not take kindly ta you and yer brother. But I'll be knowin' yuh if we cross paths again. And I'll make sure me kin know yuh as a friend. Why don't yuh be doin' the same fer me?"
So the plan is to escort these people off the tower, rest ,then go back to finish up the tower?
"Quarrel go with brother. Quiver no die."
He looks fondly at the dwarf, nods curtly to Manfred and Kamris, and cocks a head towards the fireweaver before saying to Orlan "She tough."
Pointing a finger at Orlan he pronounces carefully: "Dwarf battle-rajjah."
"Quarrel go with brother. Quiver no die."
He looks fondly at the dwarf, nods curtly to Manfred and Kamris, and c&!#& a head towards the fireweaver before saying to Orlan "She tough."
Pointing a finger at Orlan he pronounces carefully: "Dwarf battle-rajjah."
"Hunh? Oh, I get it now!" Orlan laughs, "Dwarf...battle...rager?" He nods his head. "I can't say I hold a candle ta me kin who truly know that discipline. But I got me a powerful rage fer battlin' those that tread the halls of me kin and do evil in this world. Yuh take care of yer brother and see 'im back ta yer people. Quarrel beetle-rajjah too!"
Yin beams brightly at the bugbear's words and gives a small wave in his direction. "Take care Quarrel, and Quiver" She declares, shifting her gaze to the other bugbear to include him as well.
"Yes. Quarrel beetle-raja!" he says cheerfully before glancing again at his brother and remembering his grief and rage. The bugbears and the various other humanoids parade out of the spires in pain but on their own feet. Before they go, they answer your questions about the Azubal.
All tell pretty much the same tale. They were kidnapped. A goblin drank their blood and left them exhausted and near death. Once they were almost dead, they were hung like this so their blood could be slowly drained. Those who tried to kill themselves were made to suffer but kept alive.
Any other questions?
All tell pretty much the same tale. They were kidnapped. A goblin drank their blood and left them exhausted and near death. Once they were almost dead, they were hung like this so their blood could be slowly drained. Those who tried to kill themselves were made to suffer but kept alive.
Any other questions?
Orlan asks about Klyndak or if any of them have seen any other dwarves in the Spires.
Quarrel pauses for a long time and then decides.
"Dwarf over bridge. Ugly like you. Tough fighter." he grins a toothy grin.
He then departs with his brother and the motley crew you have rescued.
Yin settles herself once camp is set up, is mostly oddly quiet for a change and offers to keep watch first as she doesn't especially need to rest.
When you return to the spire and begin to ascend the stairs, a gruesome sight greets you. The head that Orlan had discarded has been retrieved and set upon a goblin's dogslicer that has been stuck into the body of one of the goblins you slew yesterday.
On the wall near the body someone has scrawled in common in blood:
"You will serve as slaves to Azubal"
When you return to the spire and begin to ascend the stairs, a gruesome sight greets you. The head that Orlan had discarded has been retrieved and set upon a goblin's dogslicer that has been stuck into the body of one of the goblins you slew yesterday.
On the wall near the body someone has scrawled in common in blood:
"You will serve as slaves to Azubal"
"Hunh! Looks like we got somebody's attention yesterday," Orlan grunts. He once again removes the dwarven head. And for good measure, he summons enough acid from Torag to burn away the bloody message. In its place, he leaves behind two dwarven runes.
In Dwarven:
"Alright," Orlan announces when he's finished, "Let's be on our toes. We cut down any enemy that gets in our way. And those that bleed, we be tossin' off the Spires so this Azubal has nothin' left ta be drinkin' ever again. We send a clear message that way. We aim ta take away everythin' this creature needs until we hunt it down and deliver Torag's justice upon it fer these unnatural crimes."
"Yin?" he looks to the wizard, "No more movin' ahead o' yer shield-bearers. Yuh stay back and burn anythin' that tries ta get past us. Yuh see a big group o' goblins or hobgoblins...yuh got my okay ta light'em up."
"Manfred? Yuh stick close with me, muh boy!" he encourages, "And the halls o' me kin will run red with the blood o' those that traffic in evil."
"Elflin'? Yuh're a sight better at spottin' things afore the rest o' us," he concedes, "Yuh see somethin' dangerous, yuh point it out quick. Take it out with yer bow if'n yuh can. And while yer targets are dodgin' yer arrows, me and Manfred will close in on 'em..."
"Ever'body understand their part?" the dwarf asks, "Anybody got any other questions or suggestions ta improve our tactics?"
"I understand Milord Orlan, I will not fail you."
"Fine" Yin answers quietly with a tiny shrug. Stretching her arms slowly a smile soon returns to her face, although it seems a little forced. "Lets go deal with this Azubal then.."
Hefting his axe, Orlan nods and leads the way back into the Spires, confident in the blessings of Torag to see them through.
Where do you head in the spires?
You make your way up the spire stairs and to the smaller, second balcony without any incident. Along the way, you do see places where corpses have been deformed or removed from where you left them. Something nasty has been feasting on one of the corpses that you left on the large balcony. You do not see a single goblinoid.
You reach the second balcony and peer into the cave where you fought the nasty bugbear with the friendly bugbear Quarrel* by your side. The cave looks the same as you left it except the body of the bugbear guard is missing.
Yin moves forward to start investigating areas the group hasn't looked into yet but quickly stops herself with a sigh. "So, where first?"
You make your way up the spire stairs and to the smaller, second balcony without any incident. Along the way, you do see places where corpses have been deformed or removed from where you left them. Something nasty has been feasting on one of the corpses that you left on the large balcony. You do not see a single goblinoid.
Orlan stops to make sure they toss any remaining corpses (deformed or otherwise) off the next balcony or stairs. "We leave nothin' behind from here on..." he states.
You reach the second balcony and peer into the cave where you fought the nasty bugbear with the friendly bugbear Quarrel* by your side. The cave looks the same as you left it except the body of the bugbear guard is missing.
"Looks like this Azubal be down ta feedin' on his own, if'n he be a goblinoid," Orlan notes aloud, "Let's keep movin'..."
Yin moves forward to start investigating areas the group hasn't looked into yet but quickly stops herself with a sigh. "So, where first?"
"I'm in favor of lettin' the elflin' pick our way," Orlan notes, "If'n anyone can find sign o' where our quarry might be, he's the best one ta find it."
The southeast five-foot wide passage continues for about 15' before it widens into a hall about 10' x 15'. From the ceiling of this rectangular and well-carved room hangs a large stalactite. The remains of body of the bugbear you slew yesterday are piled in a corner. The corridor continues beyond.
Sir Manfred looks up. "A stalactite? In a tower? This makes no sense. Milord Orlan, are your kinsmen prone to putting such things in their towers?"
Ignoring the red stuff, this was the first layer. The only thing not on here is the hole that reeked of death, which was at the end of the corridor off of the room behind the hide banner. The corridor that cuts almost straight across is the hastily dug shortcut the dwarves made when the stairs on the outside were knocked apart.
This shows the balconies and the top level as explored so far. The room off to the side is where you smacked around the hobgoblin and rescued Quiver.
The southeast five-foot wide passage continues for about 15' before it widens into a hall about 10' x 15'. From the ceiling of this rectangular and well-carved room hangs a large stalactite. The remains of the body of the bugbear you slew yesterday are piled in a corner. The corridor continues beyond.
"Make a note ta carry that out and toss it over the side inta the valley 'fore we continue too far," Orlan says to Kamris.
Sir Manfred looks up. "A stalactite? In a tower? This makes no sense. Milord Orlan, are your kinsmen prone to putting such things in their towers?"
"In a tower? No. Below ground, aplenty," he replies, "It does seem a might strange. Let's see what it might be hidin'..."
Orlan lifts his hand and summons another dart of acid, hurling it upwards at the stalactite to see how fragile it might be.
Orlan lifts his hand and summons another dart of acid, hurling it upwards at the stalactite to see how fragile it might be.
As Orlan raises his hand the stalactite moves and unfurls itself. The long scar on its belly is familiar. This is the very same dire bat that Orlan struck with his axe but that later flew off. It seems to recognize Orlan as well.
As Orlan raises his hand the stalactite moves and unfurls itself. The long scar on its belly is familiar. This is the very same dire bat that Orlan struck with his axe but that later flew off. It seems to recognize Orlan as well.
Orlan gives a start as the stalactite begins to move...
Confirm critical threat... (1d20+3 = 19 to hit)
Critical hit damage... (1d6+1 = 3 additional damage)
The bat seemingly opens its wings just in time to take a glob of acid to the nose.
"Sure'n that's gotta hurt..." Orlan grunts.
The bat emits a hiss and directs his gaze towards Orlan. With the blinders that he wore when mounted off, he can see for the first time the shape that his sonar had already identified as that of the barrel-like creature with the axe. Oh, yeah. He remembers you, Orlan!
The bat launches himself at Orlan and locks on with his talons. For good measure he sinks his fangs in too.
The bat launches himself at Orlan and locks on with his talons. For good measure he sinks his fangs in too.
A grappled creature is being restrained by another creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to their Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character that attempts to cast a spell must make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + the spell’s level) or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
The bat launches himself at Orlan with his talons signalling his intentions and his fangs bared.
So, does that mean Orlan can attack the creature grappling him (at a -2 penalty?) or attempt to break the grapple (with no penalty)? If so, judging by the numbers, it doesn't seem like low-level characters have any reasonable chance of succeding on combat maneuvers. The DC = 15 + target's CMB modifier. Orlan's CMB is +4...and assuming, the bat's is similar...he'd need to roll higher than DC 15...so a 25% chance of success, otherwise he wastes a round trying to break free. In the meantime, a simple -2 penalty on attack rolls against whomever he's grappling stands a much higher chance of hitting. Orlan's normal attack roll with his waraxe is +4 to hit. Reduce that by -2 as a result of being grappled. And, as long as the grappling bat (which should have a -4 penalty to its Dexterity as well, since it's also participating in the grapple)...that's pretty much a wash. So, it sounds like Orlan should just swing away with his axe and forget about trying to break the grapple...which seems odd. Is that how combat maneuvers for grapple are supposed to work? Or am I misreading something?