The crew weathers the night safely, resting under their hats, burrowed amongst some low brush to provide added cover from the glow. They eat the last of their foodstuffs as a quiet morning meal, and keep a constant watch on the goblin entrances for activity.
As they finish their breakfast, the main entrance is suddenly a flurry of activity. A dozen or so goblins carrying buckets and chittering in their foul tongue exit, dumping the sewage on the stones a few yards away from the door. The stench reaches the party a few minutes later, as the goblins return into their hovel. A second party of six exits, armed with short throwing spears and nets. They head off rimward, away from the Olic’s crew towards a small stand of trees where you can hear skylers roosting.
No activity is noted at the smaller, shuttered entrance, and a thin wisp of smoke is exiting through the chimney.
“Seems someone should keep an eye out here, in case that hunting party returns. I am of the most use here in the embrace of the Void. I say the farmer and I hold here, with the boy.” Fairfield grimaces at the Orange Man’s words, and looks to the captain for confirmation of his ‘orders’.
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Harmony, her hat pulled low for maximum shade from the Glow, pipes up quickly. "I'll go inside. I could scout it out before everyone else follows. They won't see me." She, too, looks to Gardner for approval.
ReplyDeleteDo goblins have low-light vision like dwarves, or will their burrow be likely to be decently-lit enough for humans and wildlings to see by? If so, maybe Blendin and Harmony can scout it before everyone goes in. Harmony would be willing to scout it alone, also. Alternatively, Blendin could go first, stealthily scouting each bend or branch while everyone else follows to support him if he's noticed.
As a reminder, Harmony is not wearing the new armor because it gets in the way too much until it's fitted.
"He's right, you should stay here," Gardner says to Fairfield. He turns to Harmony. "I'd rather us all go in as a group. You and Blendin can scout ahead of the rest of us but we'll be in trouble if you two get captured or worse while the rest of us are still out here."
ReplyDeleteHarmony's experience with goblin warrens is limited. She is unsure as to their lighting habits.
ReplyDeleteIf there are no more suggestions I will move the party in, but by which entrance?
"It appears that the main entrance is quite busy. Might I recommend we try the small door over there?"
ReplyDeleteSuddenly, an idea occurs to Blendin.
"Does anyone have a spare pouch or wallet? I may have enough powder and ball to make a decent sized explosive that I can drop down that chimney. That'll catch them off guard."
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ooc: Sorry, I've completely forgotten why our band of merry men have come here. Are we here to kill everyone or find something?
Harmony grimaces at the wildling's suggestion. "Besides killing a cook or two, I doubt bombing their fireplace will do anything but let them know we're here. We should try to be quiet, if possible."
ReplyDelete@BR What about her knowledge of goblins' vision? Not that it matters if we're going in a group.
@LR: We're here to "stop the goblin threat" or something, to paraphrase our heroic captain. The goblins have been attacking rather aggressively, so there's a chance they're being influenced by something, like an evil leader or, say, an evil rock with a chain on it.
"The side door is a good idea. Let's try to keep it quiet as long as possible so no explosives."
ReplyDeleteI'd like to point out that the main entrance, we can see into before we go in, while the side door could conceal anything and we won't know until we open it. It could open right into a guard room or something. It could even be alarmed or locked.
ReplyDeleteThe crew follows the captains lead along a shallow ditch, towards the smaller door. As they approach, they see it is hinged using tendon and sinew from some creature, tied tightly around stone 'pins' driven into the cracks. The door is about a meter and a half tall, short for the humans but the small woman and the wildling should fit within just fine. In place of a handle, there is a wooden toggle dangling on another piece of sinew that goes through a rough hole to the other side; you cannot see to what is beyond through the many cracks between the planks, as it appears dark within.
ReplyDeleteharmony doesn't have enough experience with goblinkind to say for certain how good their vision is in the dark.
Harmony stands to the side of the door, looking doubtful about something--though if it's the plan, the door, what she should be doing, or the whole mission--is unclear.
ReplyDeleteAfter a moment of hesitation, Harmony says quietly, "Let me look at the door, maybe I can get us in quietly." She examines the door and latch closely. "The latch is a trap," she whispers. "It's attached to something I can't see well, but we do not want to pull it. If I can detach it, though, we should be able to open the door." She looks around for approval. "Unless we want to go in another way."
ReplyDelete------------
Unless someone has a different idea, Harmony will take out her toolkit and carefully detach the latch from the door
"Sounds good. Go for it," Blendin says.
ReplyDeleteHarmony unties the handle, and gently opens the door. The entrance beyond is extremely dim, but you can see the other end of the sinew line wrapped around a rickety pole, holding up the ceiling of the shaft. As the path is narrow, you will have to be careful passing by to not disturb the rather unglamourous trap set by the goblins. Beyond the sitck, the passage turns down and to the left, out of sight.
ReplyDeleteHarmony smiles crookedly. "After you..."
ReplyDelete"Xisco, can you give us a little light?"
ReplyDelete"Harmony, what about bracing the ceiling with something else in case we bump the pole?" Gardner will look around outside the entrance for anything suitable. [Notice = 4]
there is a pile of stones near the entrance that can be used to reinforce the base of the pole.
ReplyDeleteHarmony nods at the stones, but adds "If anyone comes along they could knock it over and cut us off." She furrows her brow and adds, "Won't the light give us away? I mean, they'll see us coming, won't they?"
ReplyDelete"The party that's staying behind can watch the door. Perhaps Xisco can keep the light dim. We'll need to be able see at least a little."
ReplyDeleteXisco will snap his fingers until he can get three dim orbs to appear.
ReplyDelete"So whose staying behind?" Blendin asks as he peers down the hall way.
ReplyDeleteI believe the captain was referring to the farmer, the void mage, and the kid staying in the trees. I'll update after work today.
ReplyDeleteXisco recalls his instructor of the arcane arts favorite phrase for poor pupils: "blind like a goblin in a forest" and knows this refers to the lack of the goblin vision to properly see green hues. His small green orbs are dim, however, just in case. They flit down the hallway in front of the party as it advances into the pseudo dark; harmony sends a longing look at the exit as they round the corner.
ReplyDeleteThe path down is well worn stone, not smooth, but safe and passable with relatively little noise. They come to a 'Y' in the passage: on the left is a slightly larger passage that remains level, with a number of corridors breaking off it as they look down it. To the right, the passage descends, turning sharply, not unlike a stair. There is a foul smell from this direction that reaches all of the party members' nostrils and curls their lips.
the dim lights will last significantly longer than the larger ones, but provide only dim light - attacks and such will be at a disadvantage, most likely.
Harmony still feels uneasy about the possibility of being trapped--the villager and young boy are no warriors, and the Orange Man is crazy. Still, she feels as if a massive weight has been lifted as she lets her hat hang on her back by its neck strap and takes in the lack of Glow. The goblin warren is foul and crude, but at least it's dark.
ReplyDeleteWhen the party arrives at the fork, she looks at the captain and points to herself and down the larger passage with a questioning look.
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Seems like our goal--whatever it is--is more likely to be down, but Harmony isn't fond of the smell. Besides, it might be good to check the other way to avoid being cut off.
Regardless, Harmony or Blendin should scout ahead. Blendin is more naturally stealthy and has better armor, but he can also cover Harmony better if she goes first.
Probably the latrine, Gardner thinks as he contemplates the smelly passage. He nods to Harmony and motions to Blendin as well to scout ahead. He keeps his crossbow ready to cover them.
ReplyDeleteSword out, Xisco follows with soft steps learned from years of slipping out of bed away from sleeping lovers and past awake parents or husbands. He still occasionally tries to mimic Blendin for a step or two, as if to determine whether or not that approach is better. He occasionally uses some chalk to draw an arrow pointing back the way they came, up on the ceiling when in reach, high on the wall when not.
ReplyDeleteHarmony sets off down the corridor, hammer over her left shoulder and right hand free with the red stone concealed in her palm. She quickly silences her footsteps as she learns the right way to walk (stealth 7-2=5, lucky). Partway down, she stops and looks at Blendin and Xisco. She motions to Xisco to stay back, pointing to the lights and down at the floor, saying to keep them here. She motions Blendin to stay in place and cover her, and slips up to the first passageway, peeking around the corner.
ReplyDelete------------
Harmony won't object if Blendin stays with her rather than staying a little behind, but she will if the lights follow her.
Blendin draws his ironwood dagger and follows Harmony at her request, moving as quietly as possible. (stealth = 15, no mods)
ReplyDeleteOOC: It's funny I never thought about this, but what happens if Harmony tries using the hammer as a melee weapon with her own muscles? A -1 or -2 penalty, or something more hilarious?
ReplyDeletepenalties galore, bphage, but like your stealth roll, probably wont matter, right? update this evening. apologies for the delay. still calibrating against new work schedule.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you need to call me and tell me about the new job sometime, too.
ReplyDeleteapologies, work schedule is still crazy. will update tonight, no ifs ands or buts (or butts).
ReplyDeleteSUCCESS! I now know how to write updates... on the muthafutha train, yo!"
ReplyDeleteBlendin and Harmony lead the way down the wider hall, stopping to peer carefully into each room. The findings are odd: the rooms are littered with debris, but not the usual sort of decay. These rooms appear to have been in use until recently. The furniture within is crude, but carefully built using twine still green from the treebark outside. Stone tools lay unused in the middle of the floor, again crude and sized for goblin hands, but not weapons of war. The last room on the corridor has a half opened door, battered and destroyed along the bottom. Fang whimpers. Blendin’s stealth and size, coupled with the careful lighting from the crew’s ‘wizard’ allow him to be the first to see within. Rows of open baskets, at about knee height for the humans, with aisles inbetween. Foodpots lay broken, and there are the bodies of a half-dozen goblins within. Harmony’s quick eye determines they’ve been dead a few weeks. Gardner sees the basket’s contents: goblin spawn, killed in the crib.
So I'm assuming we're all gathered in or outside the corpse-room at this point. If not, Harmony will gesture to Xisco and Gardner to join her and Blendin.
ReplyDeleteThe green light on her pale skin gives Harmony a color that seems to fit her expression as she surveys the carnage. "The goblins have gone mad," she says in a small voice. "or something is making them act like it. Do you think something's controlling them, making the warriors kill the women and children?"
ooc: This looks like a player response moment to me. anyone have a suggestion on what they'd like to do next?
ReplyDelete"I think I have a good idea of hat is causing this. What do you say Captain? Where do you think they've hidden the blasted thing?" Blendin asks, looking at Gardner.
ReplyDelete"Xisco, any ideas on some sort of magical control or explanation?" Gardner steels himself to the task and examines the cribs and bodies more carefully to see the cause of death. [Notice 11]
ReplyDeleteXisco will take a peek at the arcane threads of the universe. If nothing is apparent he will rack his brain for other explanations, magical or natural (are goblins like rabbits?..).
ReplyDeleterolled a 13 on that, way to go sam
ReplyDeleteThe captain sees only dried blood, discarded tools, and lifeless remains among the litter of the nursery. His time among the higher altitudes in his youth remind him that goblins, left to their own devices, will often congregate into family units, and tend to be troublesome but not a great danger compared to other things in the skies. This hovel is not unlike those he had come across before although larger than most; but the carnage is unlike any he had seen.
Xisco glances around, his companions blurring as his eyes peer beyond the veil... and sees very little. That is, until he looks at his feet. Below him, somewhere through the rocks, is a web of purple strands, dark and strange, but not unfamiliar. and something twisted and changing stands among the strands, staring back up at him... he pulls his vision away, and is gripped by icy fear.
The others see Xisco stumble as he looks down at his feet, attempting to catch himself as if struck by a blow. He utters, "the eighth!" but in a voice not his own.
ooc: sam, I'll need a guts check. you need a 4 or better to avoid a fear roll, which will be a nasty one at -2. You've got 5 bennies, by the by.
Rolled a 4 on the die
ReplyDeleteHarmony steadies the staggering scholar-mage with practiced ease. "What? What is it?" Here eyes are wide, like a startled rabbit, but her darting glances show more alertness than fear. When no immediate threat presents, she looks at her companions questioningly.
ReplyDeletexisco shakes off his fears unaffected, and can, if he wishes, inform the group of what dreadful thing is below them in the tunnels.
ReplyDeleteGardner calms Fang, who had begun to growl at Xisco's sudden outburst. He looks to Xisco, "what happened, man?"
ReplyDelete"Umm.. I'm sure Blendin is right." Xisco swallows before continuing, "It looks like an artifact from that dungeon island is directly beneath us." When his crewmates, sans Harmony, jump back from where they are standing, attempting to move up or away from where they were standing Xisco will continue again, "No, no, it's further down..." and attempt to give an estimate for the distance.
ReplyDelete"Oh, and it knows where we are now..."
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Don't expect the estimate to be accurate.
This spell is a bit harder to maintain, so not maintaining it. As we travel through this dungeon, whenever we lose our bearings or come to a fork\crossroads, Xisco will take another peak and try to point the group in the right direction
Xisco estimates a distance of roughly 100 yards below. As if to verify his statement, there is an echoing of howls and unnatural rumbling of footfalls on stone that comes up the downward passageway you passed a few moments before.
ReplyDeleteHarmony will try to estimate the distance through the tunnels to the ominous sounds. If they seem far enough away that the crew can make it to the fork before them (assuming they're coming), she'll start heading back at a fast walk and try to bring everyone with her, not wanting to be cut off in this dead end. If they seem closer than that, she'll run toward the fork, ready to activate her headband if she hears or sees anything close.
ReplyDeleteGardner motions back the way they came. "Let's try to make it to the exit." He starts to hobble along, hoping they make it before being cut off by whatever is coming up.
ReplyDeleteThe echoes tell Harmony they are likely to make it to the junction in time, as its only about 20 yards away.
ReplyDeleteThey take off in that direction
full update tonight. big test today at work, or I'd do it now
Man, you FINALLY get out of school and you still have tests at work?
ReplyDeleteKidding.
ooc: yeah, well, some days it doesn't feel that different.
ReplyDeleteDelayed to late tonight. I'm working on a map...
map still in progress. may need to scrap it and try again. perfectionism is a curse. I'll update by tomorrow night. apologies to my sky-farers.
ReplyDeleteI have this image of all our characters running frantically to the intersection and tgaking up defensive positions, weapons poised...and waiting. After a while, grumbling and muttering sounds make their way up the tunnel, amidst bumping and clanking noises, and voices in a strange language that seem to be saying, "Bring the light over! Wait, where are we? Who has the map? NO ONE HAS A MAP!?"
ReplyDeleteOur characters exchange bemused looks.
closing thread.
ReplyDelete