(for the in-character postings of the Pathfinder game)
Murni thought that he was having those dreams again, the ones about being a slave to the Dead Moon tribe of hobgoblins and goblins. However, in that hazy moment between delusion and clarity, he instantly realizes that the voices were no apparitions of the dream world. In a flash his eyes are open and assessing his opponents. By the time his muscles respond to their call of action, Murni had already killed all five goblins in his mind's eye.
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OOC: Murni's Initiative check = 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2480237/). Is his crossbow still near him and loaded?
(Goblins act first, you are considered flat-footed for round one, but not "surprised" by the definition of the word, so you can act.)
As your mind springs fully alert, you grasp the situation almost at once - two of the vile creatures were going through your gear, while the other three stood watch. Almost instantly, the two closest to you scream and leap, grappling with you and trying to keep you on the ground.
(Flat-footed CMD for you is 16. Goblins roll 18 and 14; one successful grapple)
You find yourself pinned by one of the goblins, his fetid, hot breath filling your nostrils. The other three, alert to the danger, move in for the kill...
(Goblin AC is 16. Fair warning, these are not the 1/3 CR "foot-soldier" goblins, they are somewhat tougher as is befitting your levels and abilities.)
OOC: do I get an AoO? Do the goblins have the Improved Grapple feat?
((No AoO - you were prone to start with, so I'm making a judgement call. Technically, you don't know what the goblins have, but in this case they don't have Improved Grapple))
Murni struggles with the hateful creature and tries to break the hold of the goblin.
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OOC: I only wanted to know if they provoked an AoO in trying to grapple Murni. A prone character is not restricted from making an AoO by the RAW, but it's fine if that's your call. Also, was the goblin able to grab and pin me in the same round? As I understand it, that would require two attacks in a round.
Murni's grapple check to escape = 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2482081/).
((You are correct, normally there would be an AoO, but being prone, just awakened, and unequipped it seemed to make more sense to forego that, seeing as how the goblins were essentially standing next to you already, rummaging through your pack. Also, you are not "pinned" per se, even though you (and the goblins) are now prone (them from essentially jumping on top of you), that was more of a descriptive than technical term. :) You will be next round if you don't break the hold.))
You manage to struggle out from under the goblins who were trying to pin you (grapple broken) as their comrades slash at you with their cleaver-like weapons. One stikes true, drawing blood! (4 points dmg - you're damn hard to hit...your turn. Goblins are AC16, two are prone and adjacent, the rest are adjacent and clustered around you)
Murni rolls out from under the fetid goblin, grabbing his hookhammer in the process. He quickly jumps to his feet, twirls his hookhammer in his hands, and stands ready to defend his life and liberty.
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OOC: Murni picks up his weapon and stands up.
Move Action: Pick up weapon.
Standard Action: Substitute for a second Move Action and stand up from prone, provoking AoOs.
Following suit, the goblins on the ground scramble to their feet as well. One unslings his cleaver while the other digs in a pouch on his belt. Meanwhile, the three facing you flail at you but score nothing but glancing blows.
(No hits this round.)
Holding his hookhammer in both hands, Murni becomes a whirling dervish of gnome fury as he slams the hammer end of his weapon into the chest of a goblin, and, using the momentum of his first attack, he sidesteps and swings the hook end of his weapon into the thigh of another goblin.
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Full-Round Action: Murni attacks with his double weapon; the hammer hit AC 25 and the hook hit AC 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2485704/). Both attacks dealt 9 points of damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2485705/).
Free Action: Between the hammer and hook attacks, Murni takes a 5-foot step.
The two stricken goblins stagger back, bleeding profusely and on the brink of death! Their fellows, enraged by the damage done, redouble their efforts (and consequently miss)!
However... the one who was digging in the pouch has pulled out a potion which he gulps down quickly. You can scarcely believe your eyes as it begins to change, growing quickly to nearly four times its size! Thankfully, the stench isn't quadrupled...
He roars, a deep and intimidating sound... and in the distance....
(That's your cue, Sigmund)
Eagle Grimrock twitches his feathers to bring him down closer to the goblins he's been following for the last hour, as it seems they have found something that interests them. He sees the goblins pounce on what looks like a gnome on the ground. Certain that the goblins are up to no good, Grimrock dives towards a nearby tree (30ft. up, 20ft away) as he sees one of the goblins grow after drinking something. Reaching out with his mind, Grimrock attunes himself to the local air currents and tugs on some thermals to Call Lightning down on the giant goblin.
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Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-04-20 10:37:16.315451
1d20+5 → [15,5] = (20)
Fly Skill (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2487055/)
Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-04-20 10:40:32.715451
3d6 → [5,5,2] = (12)
Call Lightning damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2487066/)
A blast of lightning, seemingly from nowhere, sears the enlarged goblin, who screeches in pain and rage!
(Nice rolls, Sig. Yer up, Dro).
Murni looks around quickly when the lightning bolt comes out of the sky and blasts the large goblin before him, but, reflexively, he seizes this unexpected turn of events and steps right up on the large goblin and attacks him viciously.
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Full-Round Action: Murni attacks with his double weapon using Power Attack; the hammer hit AC 11 and the hook hit AC 24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2487211/). Both the hammer (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2487214/) and hook (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2487217/) deal 10 points of damage.
Free Action: Before his hammer and hook attacks, Murni takes a 5-foot step closer to the giant goblin if necessary.
Your hook spears into the giant goblin - he squeals and swipes at you with a hand as big as you are! From behind, you feel cleavers dig into you as you are swatted across the clearing.
((Rolled a 20 but no crit for one goblin, another had a "regular" hit, and the giant hit as well - total damage 19 points, if you can make a DC15 Dex check, you can remain on your feet, but about 15' from the giant next round. If not, you are prone again. Sigmund on deck.))
Dismayed at the resilience of the giant goblin, Grimrock calls down another lightning stroke from the air above the creature.
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Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-04-20 15:46:12.402199
3d6 → [3,2,6] = (11)
Call Lightning damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2487430/)
P.S. A reflex save gets half damage
The giant goblin staggers under the second blow of electrical vengeance, falling to one knee!
Quote from: Sigmund;375182P.S. A reflex save gets half damage
((Reflexes are something that happen to other people - this is a giant goblin.. :) Drohem, your turn.))
OOC: Did the giant goblin hit Murni with his +4 AC bonus?
Murni tucks into a tight ball and rolls with the powerful blow by the giant-sized goblin. As his rolling slows down, Murni uses the energy to roll himself onto his feet, crouched and ready to fight still. He chokes up on his weapon and, using the hammer end, he tries to crush the skull of the nearest goblin to him.
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OOC: Murni fails his Dexterity check (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2488474/).
Move Action: Stand up from prone.
Free Action: Take a 5-foot step if necessary to attack nearest goblin.
Standard Action: Hammer attack using Power Attack hit AC 11 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2488474/) for 15 damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2488656/).
Murni swings a might blow, but is still dazed from his unscheduled flight and misses (AC16 on these guys).
The giant goblin shakes his head and stands, seemling dazed for a moment, before he locks eyes again with Murni! The smaller goblins are scattered but turn and charge at him, flailing wildly (and missing)! Even the two that are near death seem desperate to score a blow on the gnome!
((Sig...))
Setting his eagle jaw, Grimrock calls down another stroke of lightning on the giant goblin, and then prepares to fly down closer to the battle.
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Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-04-22 05:21:47.190189
3d6 → [3,4,5] = (12)
Forgot to include in the die roller notes that this is for the lightning damage :D
Then Grimrock flies down to a position in a tree behind Murni, but not far, maybe 10ft up.
*boom* - another flash of lightning! The giant goblin stiffens, sighs, and falls over with a deep-felt *thud*... and reverts to normal goblin size.
((Dro..))
Murni gives in to instinct and moves and attacks as he weapon commands. He swings the hammer head down on a goblin, but the spiteful creatures easily dodges the blow. Undaunted, Murni follows through with the hook head and sinks it deep into the flesh of another goblin.
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Full-Round Action: Murni attacks with his double weapon and the hammer hit AC 12 and the hook hit AC 27 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2489864/). The hook deals 7 points of damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2489865/).
Free Action: Between his hammer and hook attacks, Murni takes a 5-foot step.
One of the goblins (pre-injured, rolled 50/50) falls under the spike of your hammer, as the others pummel you from all sides! You feel a sting in your shoulder as one hits (3 points)!
((Sig))
Eagle Grimrock calls another lightning bolt from the air upon one of the remaining goblins, and then descends to the ground behind Murni, landing lightly a couple feet away.
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Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-04-22 17:28:04.886648
3d6 → [4,6,5] = (15)
Lightning damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2490718/)
*pop* - not even a doubt this time, the little scamp goes to meet his maker in short order.
Total so far: PCs 3, Goblins 0 (3 goblins left, and they're looking nervous)
((Dro))
Murni is surprised at seeing a large eagle fly out of the night sky and land behind him. Since it didn't attack him on his decent, Murni assumes that it means him no harm and probably is the source of the lightning bolts. However, all of that flashes through Murni's mind because he is intimately concerned with the goblins trying to hack him to pieces. Murni slams his hammer into a goblin and then sidesteps and misses another goblin with the hook end of his weapon.
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Full-Round Action: Murni attacks with his double weapon and the hammer hit AC 27 and the hook hit AC 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2491628/). The hammer deals 10 points of damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2491629/).
Free Action: Between his hammer and hook attacks, Murni takes a 5-foot step.
The goblin slumps to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut and, upon seeing the eagle fly into the clearing, the remaining two goblins turn tail and flee.
((You can pursue if you like, or ranged attack for one round before they reach the treeline and become lost in the darkness - either way, Sigmund is up))
Eagle Grimrock tries to chuckle, ends up accomplishing nothing but a strange choking sound, sighs in eagle, then reaches out with his mind and taps the nearby life energy of the forest and channels it through his beak as he pecks Murni in the leg.
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Cure Light Wounds
Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-04-23 14:15:58.501654
1d8+5 → [7,5] = (12)
damage cured (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2491778/)
Murni quickly turns as he feels the peck and flow of healing magic, and sees the eagle there.
For a brief moment, it looks like Murni was going to smash the bird, but a smile crosses his face as he says, "What in the Abyss?! Well, at least you ain't no Raven!"
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OOC: Does Murni get an AoO as they turn to run? Does he have a clear path to charge one of them?
((You can take an AoO if you like))
Seeing the two goblins try to flee, Murni slams his hammer into one of the them as it turns to run. A moment after striking that goblin, Murni starts running full-tilt after the other retreating goblin.
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Free Action: AoO on one of the fleeing goblins hit AC 31 (natural 20) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2492120/) for 7 damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2492121/).
Full-Round Action: Murni runs after the goblin(s).
The goblin tumbles to the ground as you run past him, but his companion is outdistancing you... (your speed=20, goblin=30)
Eagle Grimrock calls the last lightning bolt down on the fleeing goblin, flying after it if he has to.
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Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-04-24 08:37:01.796720
3d6 → [2,1,5] = (8)
Lightning (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2492556/)
The goblin staggers under the blow but, if anything, runs harder than before into the treeline.
Pacing the goblin from above, Eagle Grimrock attunes his mind to the life force of the plantlife ahead of the goblin and asks the foliage to stir itself and aid him in restraining the fleeing goblin.
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Grimrock casts Entangle on the area just in front of the fleeing goblin.
The goblin dashes head-long into a grasping and weaving mass of plant life, and falls, entangled in their grasp!
Murni comes running up to the entangled goblin and stops, and hunches his shoulders and puts his hands on his thighs as he tries to catch his breath. After a moment or two, but which seems longer to Murni, he straightens up and takes off his leather belt.
He holds up the belt in one hand and his hookhammer in the other so that the goblin can see, and says in goblin with a hard tone, "you're choice, goblin. Become my prisoner or my next kill. Either way is fine by me."
The goblin struggles, sputters, then lies still.
"Yeah, you no kill, that sounds better."
Murni binds the goblin's hand wrists with the leather belt, and starts marching him back to Murni's camp. As he's walking back to his camp, Murni steals looks away from his prisoner to scan the night sky looking for the mysteriously large eagle benefactor. Once Murni makes it back to his campsite, he pushes the goblin down to the ground and digs his rope out of his backpack with half an eye on the goblin. Murni then properly binds the goblin's hands behind his back and his legs. Once he's satisfied with the knots and binding, he sits down on his bedroll and takes a moment or two to let go of the adrenaline rush pumping through his system.
((XP: 800 each; Loot: a total of 150 gp, three small gems (turquoise, 25gp each), a potion of Giant Strength (the other potion of (whatever) was consumed already), and assorted ragged clothing.)
One thing you do notice, as you are binding the goblin - he has a design marked on his palm, four interlocking circles, with the "diamond" in the middle where they don't quite meet filled in black. The same design is stamped on the blade of his cleaver, the markings a bright silver that stand out against the otherwise dull metal.
Eagle Grimrock circles around and approaches the camp as the gnome sits on a bedroll. Landing a short distance from the camp Grimrock transforms back into his natural form for the day and walks into the camp, using his cudgel as a walking stick and slinging his shield over his shoulder. "Got the bugger I see. " Grimrock says, "Grimrock's the name, you still hurt?" After reaching the fire's edge Grimrock drops his shield and pack on the ground and glares at the gnome and goblin while scratching his long, black beard.
Murni stands up when he sees the dwarf walking into camp, holding his hookhammer loosely in his hand.
In the Dwarven tongue, Murni says, "only with your help, I reckon. Thank you, friend, for helping me."
Murni gestures towards the goblin with a nod of his head, and then continues in Dwarven, "I was just about ask this whelp some serious questions. My name is Murni Nacklewick from Waynottin. They cut me up pretty good, but I'm alright."
However, it was fairly evident to Grimlock that Murni was indeed still injured with several nasty cuts.
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OOC: Murni is -14/60 hit points. XP is on the sheet!
Narrowing his eyes, Grimrock stumps over to Murni, reaching out with his hand. Reaching out to the surrounding forest with his mind, the dwarf draws energy from the lifeforce all around and sends back a feeling of gratitude. Laying his hand on Murni's shoulder, Grimrock channels the healing energy into the gnome's body and directs it to the spots of pain and injury.
"That'll have ta do for this day Murni, but perhaps if you're still feeling some pain in the morning we can see about further healing," Grimrock murmurs, "That is if ya don't mind some company for the night."
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Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-04-26 11:28:07.310403
2d8+5 → [5,7,5] = (17)
Points of damage cured, Cure Moderate (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2494849/)
Murni feels the healing magic permeate his body, which has an odd tingly feel to him. He feels his wounds miraculously heal, and can see them actually close before his eyes.
Looking up to Grimlock, he says in Dwarven, "thank you again. Sure, I could use the company especially with these rats scurrying about in the dark. Although, I must inform you that I about grim work here. A band of goblins of the Black Claw tribe, I believe, burned Weel Longfurrow's farm. They killed him, burned the farmhouse, and took is two sons captive. Mina, his daughter, escaped with a grievous injury. By happenstance, I came across her lying under a log. I did what I could to stop the bleeding and carried her to a neighbors farm. Her neighbor and I went back to the Longfurrow farm the next morning and buried Weel, and then I picked up the goblins trail. I mean to do what I can by those boys while there's still time."
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OOC: Murni is fully healed. Gratzie!
"Humph... always up to no good, these goblins," mutters Grimrock while eying the goblin captive darkly, "killin' and burnin' and takin', never givin' back. If ya might need some help, I'd be willing to aid ya to get your people back and maybe teach these goblins to take only what they need and leave other folks to themselves." The dwarf settles himself down next to his pack and picks some dirt up from the ground and starts rubbing it between his hands.
Murni nods to Grimlock and says in Dwarven, "aye, I could use the help. I don't know how many Black Claws there are in their group, or where they are located at currently. Let's ask this whelp some questions, shall we?"
Turning to the goblin, Murni bends down to his level and looks him in the eyes as he says in Goblin and a coldly authoritative tone, "answer my questions truthfully, and I'll let you live. Lie to me and you'll suffer horribly under my knife before I finally kill you."
Murni pauses for a moment and lets the weight of his words hang in the air palpably, and then continues in Goblin, "now, are you Black Claw? Where are the two gnomes males taken from the looted farmhouse? How many are in group and where are they now?"
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OOC: Murni will try to discern if he's lying when he answers. Sense Motive check = 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2495270/).
The goblin shifts uncomfortably under your threats.
"Er, yeah, listen fwiend, we sent back to look for somefing, lost it at the other place, a little bit of cloth wif a claw... ya see? We, uh, well, the new boss, 'es a bit of a hard-ass, right? He want to, um, not have no tracks, yeah? 'course, that's all in the tank now, I reckon."
He pauses, looking at the bodies scattered around the clearing.
"Ok, so, look - he wants them gnomies for somefing, but he not exactly forthcoming wif the info, yeah? He tells us to do it, we does it, that's how the new boss is. We, uh, we got the gnomies and took 'em back to the mountains, yeah? I don't know why."
"Good, you're doing good," Murni says with a deadpan tone, "now, what is the new boss? A hobgoblin? What's its name? What is does the mark on your hand mean or represent?"
He shifts again, and avoids making eye contact.
"Nah, the Hobbo isn't the new boss, he's just one of his enforcers. Sent one of 'um wif us to the job. Think he hit us mren' that farmer he killed."
He looks up quickly, then back down.
"Yeah, well, see, the new boss, I've only seen 'im once, that's when he put this mark on me hand. doan't know 'is name, he didn't seem like the chatty sort tho. He had a big skull of some kind, upside-down like, and a shiney feather, an' he wrote on me hand in the ink, and now it won't come off. The Hobbos said that the mark on our blades makes 'em magic, but only if we're holdin' 'em, yeah? I din' see a lot of difference, but they did feel lighter now that I think of it."
Murni stares at the goblin for several uncomfortable moments before finally saying, "your life is still mine for a little while more. Try to get some sleep. In the morning, you're going to show us the way to where the boys were taken. Once you've done that, I'll let you go."
Murni stands up and moves away from the goblin and sits down next to Grimlock.
He sighs heavily and then says in Dwarven, "something ain't right here, ain't right at all. I found that patch that they were sent back to find, that's why I thought it was the Black Claw tribe raiding the farmsteads around here. I've never encountered the Black Claw tribe before, and at first I didn't know what it meant. When I took Mina Longfurrow to her neighbors farm, Farel, her neighbor, told me it was the Black Claw symbol when I showed it to him. But, he said that the Black Claw hasn't been active in these parts for the about the last fifteen years. He said that once their chief Gobsmack was killed that they stopped raiding and such."
He pauses for a moment, listening to the quiet of the night and feeling the gentle breeze on his skin, and continues, "Farel was gathering men from the other farms in the area and was going to follow me. In the morning, do you think you could fly overhead, find them, and bring them to me and our new friend?"
Grimrock grunts and takes a swig from his water skin. Lowering the skin, the dwarf glares at the goblin for a second, then says, "Mmm, could do I suppose."
The goblin is watching your conversation nervously.
"Can ya write? If ya can write a note to the farmer.. huh, wonder if he can read... anyway, I wouldn't hafta change from my falcon form, simply deliver the message and then lead 'em back here, " Grimrock says.
He shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head.
"Nah, ain't never needed to learn."
Murni looks over at the goblin with a quizzical look, then turns to Grimlock and shrugs his shoulders as he says in Dwarven, "yes, but I don't have any writing utensils."
Looking over at the goblin, Murni asks him in Goblin, "what's your name?"
He actually seems to perk up a bit.
"Mok. I am Mok."
Grimrock chuckles to himself as he grabs his pack and digs his inkpen, ink, and paper out of it. He pulls a sheet of paper out of the case and hands it to Murni along with the inkpen and vial. The dwarf puts the case back in his pack as he says, "After you're done roll it up. In the morning I can carry it in falcon form to the farmer. Which direction they comin' from?"
Murni takes the writing equipment offered and starts writing a letter to Farel. He takes his time to make sure that his words are legible and written well.
Farel,
As you know, time is the enemy here. The longer those boys are in the goblins' hands, the more likely they'll meet a fate you can't even conceive. This eagle is actually a dwarf ally named Grimlock. Follow him to me. It's far worse than we imagined and you need to know what I know.
Murni Nacklewick
Once he's finished he gently blows on the paper to dry the ink properly, and then reads it one last time before he carefully rolls it up. He carefully puts away Grimlock's writing utensils, making sure that they are all properly cleaned.
He then hands the writing kit and letter to Grimlock as he says in Dwarven, "thank you very much."
Grimrock takes the tools and letter from Murni and puts the vial and pen away in his pack. The rolled letter he places on top of his pack and then lays down on the ground next to it and crosses his feet as he relaxes, reaching out with his mind to the life all around the camp. In his mind's eye he sees the nocturnal creatures emerge and go about their business. Settling in both physically and spiritually, he continues communing with the natural world around him in order to reconstruct the magical power he used during the day.
The next day dawns cool, bright and clear, with dew on the grass sparkling like gems. Mok is still sitting where you left him, looking quite a bit worse for the wear, and the pile of goblin bodies looks dark and sickly in the morning light.
Standing on a nearby rock, Grimrock secures his gear and in a flash, he is off. It isn't hard to follow the trail back towards the farmsteads - almost immediately, you can see the smoke from morning cookfires, and you are soon circling above an open farmyard. Below, you see a small gathering of gnomes, five or six who clearly stayed outdoors and are taking down their tents, along with some children and females who are packing food into sacks and backpacks. One gnome looks up at you and says something to the others, who drop their tents and grab bows or swords.
In peregrin falcon form, Grimrock folds his wings and dives for the ground in front of the gnomes, pulling up at the last moment and coming to a landing about 20 feet from the nearest gnome, rolled-up parchment dangling from his beak.
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Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-05-03 12:05:15.383662
1d20+5 → [12,5] = (17)
Fly Skill (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2504310/)
The gnomes look at each other out of the corner of their eyes, and the obvious leader of the group, an older gnome, walks over cautiously and takes the note from your beak. He takes a few steps back, opens it, and reads. He nods once, and rolls the letter up.
"Okay, boys, we've got to make some time. This here bird is going to show us the way. Mr. Nacklewick is a good day ahead."
The other gnomes, five in all, begin hastily gathering their gear, leaving their half-stowed tents behind. In less than 30 minutes, they are geared up and ready.
"Ok, Mr. Grimrock, we're ready."
Falcon Grimrock nods his head once, then takes off, flying to perch on branches and circle in the air ahead of the group of gnomes, watching out for any other creatures in the area and making sure the gnomes can see him and stay headed in the proper direction.
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Grimrock can stay in falcon form for 5 hours, at which time, assuming nothing else occurs, he will land ahead of the gnomes and assume his natural form and travel the remainder on foot with the group.
Quote from: Werekoala;378310The next day dawns cool, bright and clear, with dew on the grass sparkling like gems. Mok is still sitting where you left him, looking quite a bit worse for the wear, and the pile of goblin bodies looks dark and sickly in the morning light.
After he watches Grimlock take off, Murni starts packing his belongings and getting ready to move out. He makes Mok watch while he eats some rations.
Finally, when he's finished eating, he digs out a chuck of bread and cuts off a piece of cheese. He walks over to Mok and sits down in front of him.
Holding the food in his hands, he looks Mok in the eyes and says,
"you're smart, Mok. As a reward, you get to eat something. Don't bite."Murni then begins to feed Mok the food since he hands are tied behind his back, letting Mok chew it done before giving him another bite. Once Mok has finished eating the food, Murni holds his waterskin high, so that Mok's lips won't touch it, and pours some water into the goblin's mouth. He gives Mok several good drinks.
Once he's done with that, he stands Mok up and says to him,
"now, take me to those gnome boys. Stay smart and you'll live another day. Move out!"
Quote from: Sigmund;378369Grimrock can stay in falcon form for 5 hours, at which time, assuming nothing else occurs, he will land ahead of the gnomes and assume his natural form and travel the remainder on foot with the group.
There seems to be a bit of surprise among the gnomes when you assume dwarven form - they had suspected maybe a druid was involved, but they assumed an elf or something similar. Still, they are polite and continue to follow. Nothing of consequence happens during the first day, except that when you arrive at the scene of the battle, just before dusk, you find that the goblin and Murni are gone.
Quote from: Drohem;378415After he watches Grimlock take off, Murni starts packing his belongings and getting ready to move out. He makes Mok watch while he eats some rations.
Finally, when he's finished eating, he digs out a chuck of bread and cuts off a piece of cheese. He walks over to Mok and sits down in front of him.
Holding the food in his hands, he looks Mok in the eyes and says, "you're smart, Mok. As a reward, you get to eat something. Don't bite."
Murni then begins to feed Mok the food since he hands are tied behind his back, letting Mok chew it done before giving him another bite. Once Mok has finished eating the food, Murni holds his waterskin high, so that Mok's lips won't touch it, and pours some water into the goblin's mouth. He gives Mok several good drinks.
Once he's done with that, he stands Mok up and says to him, "now, take me to those gnome boys. Stay smart and you'll live another day. Move out!"
Mok seems genuinely shocked when you offer him food, and quite suspicious when you hand-feed it to him, but after the first couple of bites he is quite eager.
"Well, sir, ya see, them boys could be anywhere once they get into the tunnels, and I'll do my best, I promise, sir."
Quote from: Werekoala;378786"Well, sir, ya see, them boys could be anywhere once they get into the tunnels, and I'll do my best, I promise, sir."
"Good. Get me to the tunnels and I'll set you free," Murni says as they start walking,
"I promise, Mok."Murni digs into his belt pouch and pulls out a piece of chalk. At regular intervals of about ten yards, he makes an arrow mark on a tree indicating the direction that they are traveling.
Based on the occasional chalk marks on rocks and trees, the small band of gnomes, led by Grimlock, find themselves on day two of their trek gaining a bit of ground (Mok is trying his best to make decent time, but the terrain grows rockier as you approach the foothills of the mountain range). On the evening of day three, as the trees begin their steep ascent of the mountains, the parties finally meet, in a clearing by a fast-running mountain stream.
Farel steps up to Murni and grasps his forearms. "Good to see you again, Nacklewick. I see you have a new pet?" A couple of chuckles from his associates, but there is little mirth in the sound.
"Mr. Grimlock here gave us a bit of a start at first - haven't seen many of the dwarven folk who have a knowing of the ways of the forest, but there is a first time for everything."
He motions over the rest of his team.
"Well, we may not look like much, but there is a fair bit of experience and a whole lot of motivation standing here. We have Cecil and Wren Shredstraw. They're young and eager, and have a bit of a talent for mischief. Comes from many years of misspent youth sneaking a few extra vegetables or eggs for their expeditions in the woods." A few laughs, and some blushing from the young gnomes. (two almost identical gnomes who step forward and nod - rogues?)
"Next, this old fart - looks like a snapping turtle, tough as an old stump, and cries every time a baby calf is born. Gabe Splitrail." The craggy old gnome nods quickly - you notice he hasn't taken his eyes off Mok since they arrived. (Warrior, judging by the large axe strapped across his back and the chain mail peeking out from under his tunic)
Next up is a very oddly dressed middle-aged gnome. Vertically striped black and white stockings, fly-away black hair, bright gold, purple and red coat and bleached-white knee breeches. He seems to always be smiling, and fiddles with a belt full of pouches in a distracted fashion. He reeks of magic. "This one - well, he's a "special case"" - everyone, even him, laughs - "Vance the Magnificent. He is a bit of a wanderer, this one, who just happened to be sitting on a fence-post as we were assembling the rest of the party. I think he invited himself to the group, as usual."
Vance grins almost impossibly broadly. "Only way I get invoited anywhere!" More laughter.
Farel shrugs and rolls his eyes a bit. "And, last but not most assuredly not least..." a very short female gnome steps forward "...Maggan Dell."
She curtsies low, her rapier scraping on the rocks. "Charmed, I'm sure." Her voice is low and sultry, not gnomish at all. Nervous laughter from the male-folk. (Not sure what she is...except very captivating)
Farel takes a red rag from his pocket and wipes his forehead. "Well, Sir Murni and Sir Grimrock, here we are - the best our little farming communities have to offer."
Grimrock chuckles and sits down on a rock and refills his water supply from the stream, splashing a bit of the cold water on his face.
Murni grasps Farel's arm with genuine happiness. He nods at each of the men as Farel introduces them with a smile.
"Ma'am," Murni nods his head and says respectfully as Farel introduces Maggen Dell.
His face and tone become serious as he says to Farel, "it worse than we thought. There's a darker hand at work here than the Black Claw tribe."
The looks at Mok did not go unnoticed by Murni, and he motions to Mok as he says, "Mok here and four of his friends surprised me at night. It was touch and go for a moment, but Grimlock happened upon the fight and undoubtedly saved my life. Mok here was the only survivor. Mok says that his group was sent back to the Longfurrow farm to retrieve the Black Claw patch that I found there. Apparently, it wasn't meant to be discovered. Mok says that a non-goblinoid has taken over his tribe and has commanded the Longfurrow boys be taken."
Murni sighs wearily and continues, "this new leader has somehow inscribed magic onto the goblins' hands, making their weapons magical in their hands. This new leader is no hobgoblin, and Mok says that he hobgoblins are his enforcers."
Looking up towards Vance, he says to him, "your skills are most welcome, as I fear that we'll facing a creature powerful in the arcane arts. Perhaps you can make sense out of the inscription on Mok's hand."
Addressing everyone, Murni says, "I promised to spare Mok's life in exchange for leading us to the tunnels where the Longfurrow boys have been taken. He's been cooperative, and I mean to keep that promise."
At your mention of magic, Vance perks up "Oooo... let's see, let's see..." and begins mumbling to himself as he goes to examine Mok. The goblin squirms uncomfortably - you probably would too, if you were tied up and someone like Vance took an interest in you...
Farel advises "I will abide by your decision to spare the creature's life, and I believe..." (he says, looking around at the others) "...I speak for the rest of us." There are some muttered words of assent. Gabe says nothing, but eases his stance a bit.
"Right." Farel lowers his pack and begins to prepare for the night, and the others follow his lead. "I don't much like the idea of heading into the tunnels of our enemies, but we can't let those boys perish - or worse - at the hands of this new "master" of the goblins. We'll set out at first light. Hopefully there is a way we can get in without raising too much of a fuss. I think stealth will serve us better, initially at least."
Whew! Murni thinks to himself with relief as he sees Gabe visibly relax a bit.
He nods to Farel and says, "aye. Once Vance is done examining Mok, I have a few questions to ask him about his tribe's strength and warrens."
Grimrock pulls a hunk of jerky from his pack and gnaws on it thoughtfully as he watches the gnomes.
About about half an hour of poking, prodding, "Hmmm"-ing and "Ahhh"-ing, Vance seems to be done with the goblin, and Mok seems quite pleased by this. The other gnomes have their small campsite well prepared for the evening, and some chicken and vegetables are roasting over the fire for dinner.
"Wellllll... Murni Wicklenack, that goblin of yours is about as bog-standard as they come." Vance advises you as he nibbles on his fingernails. "Maybe a touch smarter than most, not that's saying much. The mark on his hand is undeniably magic - both the ink and the pattern. Its a variant of a sigil or Wizard's Mark. Basically it binds him to a person or objects similarly marked. Explains the swords, I suppose. Also means that for all we know, every move we make is being scry'd upon..."
Vance gazes at you from beneath a lowered brow. He smiles, a disturbing sight. You get the distinct impression he might not be all here, as it were.
Murni nods knowingly at Vance's pronouncement about scrying.
Poor fellow, Murni thinks to himself as he comes to realize that Vance may be slightly off compared to others.
Murni waits until everyone has eaten their fill of evening meal, and then goes over to the spit and makes a plate of scraps for Mok. He walks over to Mok and puts the plate down in front of him.
Murni walks around behind Mok and says in Goblin, "I'm going to untie your hands so you can eat. Please don't make me kill you over some stupid move, eh?"
He unties the binds holding Mok's hands behind his back, and walks back in front of Mok and sits down opposite the goblin cross-legged. He rests his hookhammer across his knees and then motions for Mok to start eating with a nod and movement of his hand.
After Mok starts eating, Murni asks him in the Goblin tongue, "Mok, what type of creature is the new Boss? Is he human, orc, elf, or something else? How many warriors are in your warrens at any one time?"
Mok does as he's told, both surprised and pleased at the treatment. You feel several pairs of eyes boring into your back (not literally of course, eww) as you treat Mok like something more than a vermin, but nobody says anything.
"Mm, yes... wow, chicken? You cook it? Hmm..." Its a somewhat disturbing sight, between the savoring and the wolfing down. Goblins have quite a lot of teeth.
"Well the new Boss, he was wearing a hood and robes and whatnot, ya see, all magic-like, but his hands were sorta, boney-like and purplish and leathery. And I think I saw some tentacles where his face oughtta be, but I didn't look too close, yeah? Favor me health and whatnot..."
*smack, gulp*
"Now, see, about our warrens ... heh, well, sir, I don't know if you've been in the deeps of these mountains, yeah, but we've got a lot of warrens an' tunnels an' whatnot. Veritable city, like what humans have, yeah? But, now, my folks, well.. we've been out of favor of late, yeah? So we tends ta keep to ourselves, and like it. Of course, that was until HE showed up."
*gobble, slurp*
"Not countin' the boys you took out the other day, we's got about ... ooh, I dunno?" He seems to be counting in his head. "Way more'n fifty? Not sure, boss, countin' was never my strong suit, yeah? An' then there's the hobbos - prolly 15 of them, and Garr, their boss-man. He's one ta watch out for."
Murni waits patiently for Mok to finish eating, and then says, "good, Mok, you did good again."
He then ties Mok hands back up behind his back. He doubles checks the bindings to make sure that they're sturdy and tight. He then walks back over to where the others were sitting around the campfire and sits down.
===========================
OOC: Can Murni make a Knowledge (Dungeoneering) check to know what creature Mok described as the Boss?
((Yes, that's fine on the Dungeoneering check))
Grimrock furrows his brow as Mok speaks, but otherwise continues gnawing on jerky and sipping water.
Murni sighs heavily as he looks over to Farel and the others and says in Gnomish, "it's much worse than I had originally thought. Mok says that there are least fifty goblin warrior with about a dozen hobgoblins as the new Boss' elite guard. I asked Mok to describe what the new Boss looks like, and I've heard of the creature he described before. It's a horror from deep in the underworld. I believe that he described a mind flayer, a creature that enslaves and dominates others with the power of its mind."
He pauses for a moment to let that sink in a bit, and then continues, "given this new information, I think that you all should go back home to your families and farms. Prepare yourselves and organize a militia to watch for further slave raids."
===================================
OOC: Murni's Knowledge (dungeoneering) check = 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2519901/).
Farel considers you for a moment. Vance starts nervously twiddling with his hair, and the twins go a bit pale but say nothing. Maggen and Gabe glance at each other, then look back at you. Farel clears his through.
"Young Mr. Nacklewick, there's nothing in those tunnels we're not ready to face, especially when it comes to protecting our own - and that includes the Longfurrow boys. Now, believe it or not, we've not been farmers our whole life (a couple of chuckles) but if you feel there is a theat out here, then you'd be right - we must prepare a defense for the homesteads."
He pulls out his pipe, loads and lights it, then looks back at his companions.
"We'll send the boys back to warn those who remain, and see about setting up some surprises should any more goblins poke about. I suppose I'll need to go as well, to make sure they make it in one piece. I think Maggen and Gabe here are more suited to taking the fight to the enemy. And you'll no doubt find Vance useful - somehow." More chuckles at Vance's indignant posture.
"Now, of course, if you insist, then I'm sure we can find some use for them back home, but I'm not sure that reducing your numbers would improve your odds, unless you know something we don't, Mr. Nacklewick."
Murni puts up his hands in front of himself with the palms outward as he says, "now, Farel, I meant no disrespect to any gnome, or dwarf, here, especially you. You've all come at a moments notice to your neighbors defense, and you've all got sand a plenty as far as I am concerned. I would be proud to stand tall with any of you."
He trails off slightly for a moment before continuing in a somber tone, "it's just that, well you see, as I told you before Farel, I've survived the horrors we're about to enter. I wouldn't be right with myself if I didn't give anyone fair warning as to what might be ahead of us. That's all. Honestly, I'll take any help I can get."
Murni shrugs his shoulders at the end of it and looks into the fire, watching the embers escape into the night air and dance before they wink out of existence.
More quiet contemplation ensues, broken only by an occasional whimper from Vance. A quick huddle of Farel, Maggan, and Gabe ensues, which lasts for several moments. At one point, Maggan takes Vance by the hand and drags him into the circle as well. Some type of agreement is reached, apparently. As Vance begins searching the ground for... something... and Maggan and Gabe have a heated, but whispered discussion, Farel returns to you.
"Ok, Mr. Nacklewick, since you'll be going into some fairly confined spaces, and with who knos how many goblins in the way, a larger group would be more conspicuous. It may well be better for you and Mr. Grimrock to try to keep it low-key, at least for now. Vance here is going to craft a sigli-stone for you by morning. All you'll need to do is hold it and concentrate on any one of us, mentally, and it'll call to us. We'll come running, and do what we can. In the meantime, you two will be on your own, and we'll be prayin' for ya."
Murni nods solemnly at Farel and says, "it's fer the best for your community."
Looking down he says in a soft tone, "save yer prayers for those boyos, don't be wastin' em on me."
He goes over to his bedroll and lays down to get some sleep before his watch.
Grimrock pokes at a blade of grass and says, "You hush." He then settles down with his water and chuckles softly.
The next morning dawns bright and clear - being out from under the worst of the tree canopy makes for a brighter tomorrow, as it were. What little packing that needs to be done is done quickly and without much chatter. Vance comes over and hands you a small, smooth stone with a sigil etched on it.
"Yes, well..."
Then he joins the others on the far side of the ashy remains of the campfire. Farel comes around and slaps you on the shoulder.
"Good luck, Mr. Nacklewick. And you, dwarf - don't talk his ear off!"
A few chuckles at that, then the group files past and gives their farewells. Soon, they are gone the way they came. You turn to face the quickly steepening front of the mountain range. Greenish-brown scrub and trees quickly turn to jagged grey rocks, leading up to snowy peaks that tower a few thousand feet above. Barely discernable, at the peaks, you see what must be huge creatures flying to and fro. Those would be griffons, most likely, but you know from stories and some personal experience that they usually keep to themselves.
So, what now, brave adventurers?
Murni smiles and chuckles at Farel's friendly jab at Grimrock. He looks Farel in the eyes and nods, and then waves good-bye to the others. He watches them disappear from view. A few moments after they are no longer in sight, he turns and walks over to Mok.
He helps the goblin stand up as he says, "you're going to need your balance from here on out. Don't make me have to kill you, Mok. Take us to your tribe's lair and you're free, as I promised."
He unties the rope binds on Mok's hands and hands Mok his water skin as he says, "here some water. Go ahead and eat the breakfast leftovers."
As Mok eats his breakfast, Murni turns to Grimlock and says in Dwarven, "is there anything you need or want to do before we move out?"
Taking a moment to survey the rising vista before you, packs are slung and the ascent begins. Mok guides you towards the lowest of the passes above, a steep cleft cut by the fast-running stream you camped near the night before. Fortunately, over the millenia, the water has smoothed the passage somewhat. Animal trails (deer, most likely) are easy to find and follow, and you make good time until around middle-afternoon. You had been noticing for the last few hours that there were an increasing number of shuffled tracks in the dirt of the trails. Mok stops you just short of a sharp bend in the stream, which disappears behind a steep rock face.
"This here, ya see, this is where sometimes we has a patrol. Well, not we, not my clan, but the bigger ones. They've been lettin' us pass lately, see, without much fuss. So, yeah, behind this curve, there might be a few waiting. Bows and such up in the rocks, see."
Grimrock nods and growls, "I'll go take look". He bows his head and mutters softly as he transforms into a falcon and wings into the air in the direction Mok indicated.
Murni nods at Grimlock and says, "we'll wait right here for you."
real party is here may i in?
You fly up and over the rocks at a relatively safe height. From above, it is obvious that there is/were defenders above in the rocks. There is a series of 4 "blinds" (wooden and leaf-covered), two on either side of the pass, about 40' up the rock face. They wouldn't be immediately noticable from below, and would provide a good field of fire. It looks like both are accessed by ladder from the "up-mountain" side of the ravine - pretty noticable, but not until after the people below would have come under fire from the ambush.
Circling the area of the blinds Grimrock looks for a way to either bypass the ambuch area, or sneak up on the ambushers and turn the tables on them.
Lemme know if/what I need to roll.
Perception roll would be appropriate.
(Sorry for the slow pace, been sick all week - Dro, I sent you and "Mirror Kurt" a note in Skype about the game the other night, did you get it?)
((Waiting for Sig's roll on Perception))
Sorry, been working on a special project for work.
Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-06-14 18:16:24.212784
1d20+8 → [15,8] = (23)
Perception roll (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2563008/)
You circle the area and notice almost immediately (thanks to the angle of the sunlight at this time of day (nice roll)) that there is a series of natural rock outcrops that you could climb from your side of the pass that would put you "over" the ambush site on the down-slope side. You could likely either make your way past the ambush and back down onto the path further up-slope, or attack them, your choice. If you choose attack, it would only be on one side of the pass, of course. The up-slope side seems to be inaccessible except via ladder.
((If you need a graphic I can whip up a map when I get home))
Grimrock circles once more to take a good look and fix the details in his memory and then glides back down to Murni's position. After landing he releases the energy tieing him to the falcon's form and chuckles as he bends down and grabs a handful of dirt. "Love doing that.", he growls, "Found a path up and over, past the ambush." He rubs the dirt between his hands and then adjusts his pack and leans on his stick as he eyes the others.
Murni chuckles as well and says, "yeah, that does come in handy. Let's get to climbing then."
He turns to face Mok and says in a more serious tone of voice, "you're free to go, as I promised."
Mok looks at you, then to Grimrock, then back to you. He scratches his head.
Well, see, its like this. I'm not much liking the new boss, right? And his hobbos are pretty mean to us goblins. If I came back all alone, they'd be like "What are ya a coward" and stuff, right? So, yeah, they'd probably do things to me, you know, question me and stuff but not really, so, if you're going to do something to them and their boss, right, I might kinda hang back with you a bit, yeah?"
He smiles, or whatever goblins do that could be called smiling.
Murni looks Mok in the eye for a moment before saying slowly, yet genuinely, "you can come with us. Fight with us and I will see you as an equal."
"What do you think?" Murni asks Grimrock.
Grimrock narrows his eyes as he glares at Mok for a minute, then grunts, "I think he's better off stayin' with us, but I'll be keepin' an eye on him."
Mok seems pleased "Yes sirs, I'll be square with you, right, so no worries!"
Sizing up the cliff, it doesn't appear to be too tricky - you both have some experience climbing, and it looks like maybe this particular route has been used in the past.
((Climb check please, just to keep it official))
Murni smiles and clasps Mok on the shoulder as he says, "good."
Turning his attention to the climb before them, he removes his breastplate and attaches it to his backpack in preparation for the climb.
============================================
OOC: Murni's Climb check = 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2578022/).
Grimrock adjusts his pack, then with a firm grip on his stick starts climbing.
============================================================
Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-06-29 08:36:11.447835
1d20+3 → [20,3] = (23)
Climb check (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2584019/)
Sorry it's taken me so long. I'll try to be more vigilant. Oh, and woot! on my roll :D
The climb goes smoothly for all involved, and within minutes you find youself walking along the slighty rugged shelf of rock above the ambush site. You notice a goblin come out of the blind on the far side of the ravine and relieve himself on a nearby tree, but he doesn't seem to notice you as you slip past. From your vantage, you can see a few small bundles (probably supplies) stacked near the blinds - these guys are here for the duration, it looks like.
((Unless you plan on doing anything at this point, you will make it through with no problems))
Once the goblin returns to the blind, Murni motions silently for Grimrock and Mok to keep watch while he puts his breastplate on. Then he starts walking along the upside of the slope toward the entrance to the mountain.
You continue along the ledge until another bend in the trail takes you out of sight of the blinds. From your perch, you can make out a bluish haze that filters up and over the far end of the canyon - smoke from many underground fires. Mok advises that you should be near the main entrance in a few more minutes.
"Probably not a good idea to just, you know, walk in and stuff. Hobbos always at the door, right? So, yeah, I know another way, back aways in a little side canyon, yeah? 'less, of course, you want to do a frontal assault, boss?"
OOC: Going to be out of town and away from the machine until Monday. Assume Grimrock is following along warily and silently. WK, if action starts and ya'all don't wanna wait again, you can assume control of Grim til I get back :) Safe and happy 4th ya'all.
Murni chuckles and says, "good idea Mok. I'd like to think that I'm not entirely reckless. The sneaky way in is the best way in for us. Lead on."
You make your way carefully up a steep section of the canyone facing, your progress shielded from sight by sparse trees and plentiful boulders. You can feel the air growing colder as the day progresses, and the darkening sky over the western mountain peaks tells you a storm is on the way.
You progress updwards for over an hour before Mok holds up his hand for you to stop. You can't see anything in particular, but he puts his nose to the ground, then into the air, and sniffs deeply.
"Right, y'got a coupla boyos, right, they's up in the hole. It ain't guarded usually, right? So I don't know what the story is. The hole is up ahead behind that big boulder shaped like a sheep. We could get close if you want, an' they probably won't hear us.
What's your play, boss?"
"Let's sneak up on them and try to catch them by surprise," Murni says in a low tone of voice.
He looks down at the path and starts carefully choosing his footfalls in order sneak forward toward the boulder shaped like a sheep.
============================================
OOC: Murni's Stealth check = 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2596998/).
Grimrock peers for a moment in the direction the goblin indicated, then looks down and begins mumbling under his breath while firmly planting his stick in the ground in front of him. He reaches out and touches Murni as the gnome passes, channeling a rush of strength from the surrounding earth into Murni.
=====================================================================
OOC: Cast Bull's Strength on Murni
((Sorry for the hold-up guys; been quite under the weather the last few days, but will get this thing rolling again within 48 hrs.))
Murni feels a quick surge of strength flow though him as he makes his way to the large boulder. Peering cautiously, he sees the entrance to the tunnel - about four feet tall, four feet wide, with a very regular shape. Sitting in the entrance are two goblins, tossing some type of dice and drinking from a wineskin. There are rough iron swords propped next to each of them, and on the blade you can see the interlocking three-rings symbol.
Murni leans back behind the boulder and indicates two guards by holding up two fingers. He readies his hooked hammer, and then nods to Mok and Grimrock. A second later, he silently runs out from behind the boulder at the two guards hoping to catch them off guard.
=========================================
OOC: Murni uses the surprise round to take a Move action to get right up on the two guards.
Murni's Initiative check = 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2613819/).
((You'll easily catch them by surprise and be able to get right up to them for an action - Grimrock can act as well unless you want to hold back and see what happens on the surprise round.))
Grimrock peers around the boulder, watching for an opening to leap out and strike.
=====================================================================
OOC: Holding my action to see what transpires with Murni's attack.
((Dro, you get a free action as you charge the goblins, so you can attack or whatever you choose, then we'll do init.))
Murni runs up silently on the two goblin guards, and, choking up on his hook-hammer, delivers a powerful blow with the hammer end into the sternum of the goblin on the left.
================================
Standard Action: 1-handed hammer Power Attack (with STR buff) hits AC 28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2628016/) for 17 damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2628018/).
The goblin, caught totally unaware, spews a mouthful of ale as your hammer caves in his chest; he falls over dead as his partner yelps in surprise and scrambles for his nearby sword.
((Initiative: 9 for the remaining goblin))
OOC: Murni's Initiative check = 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2613819/).
OOC: Grimrock's Initiative...
Die roll for Grimrock
Rolled on: 2010-07-31 15:04:41.164511
1d20+3 → [19,3] = (22)
(http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2632446/)
On his turn, Grimrock will jump out from behind the rock and cast flare on the goblin. Relevant text...
This cantrip creates a burst of light. If you cause the light to burst
in front of a single creature, that creature is dazzled for 1 minute
unless it makes a successful Fortitude save. Oh, and my save DC for Orisons is 14
The goblin sqwaks yet again and begins swinging his sword wildly trying to hit - he fails miserably.
((You can essentially "coup-de-gracie" this guy if you like))
Murni comes around again and plants the hammer end of his weapon directly into the face of the goblin.
==========================================================
Full-Round Action: Coup de grace damage is 24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2640195/).
The last squwak of the goblin is smothered by the blow of your hammer - he twitches and is still.
Mok chuckles nervously. "Um, yeah, see, that's quite a thing, innit?" as he scrambles up to the bodies and pockets the dice they were throwing.
The entrance to the cave system is craggy and rough on the outside, but as you peer inside you note that the tunnel/shaft is actually well-worked stone, 5'x5'x5', sloping downward slightly as far as you can see (probably 40' or so). The floor of the shaft is etched with parallel grooves, ensuring good footing.
A quick rummage through the goblin's gear finds the two simple swords, two skins of ale, and some stale bread and cheese. Both goblins have the same interlocking ring tattoos on their palm as Mok.
Murni nods to Mok and Grimlock, and motions with his head to go into the cave. Silently, he turns and starts walking into the cave and enters the tunnel sloping downward. He moves quietly and cautiously down the passageway into the darkness of the deep earth.
As you enter the darkening passage, your mind begins to wander - memories of your captivity begin to swim back into your consciousness. The smell of goblins is faint, here, but you know it will only grow thicker the further you progress. ((You will likely, from time to time, have to make a Will save - probably at the most inconvenient time))
Mok scampers ahead to the intersection, looks left and then right, then turns back to you:
"Ok, boss, see, these tunnels will go up and down, and down, I think, is where the boyos will be, yeah? If the New Boss... sorry, the Old New Boss, boss - if he wants 'em, he'll have 'em down in the old cisterns probably. We don't use 'em much anymore, so they make good pits, yeah? But not like I know for sure, see."
With a slight smile, Grimrock adjusts his pack straps and follows the gnome and goblin into the dark passage.
The fetid and concentrated smell of goblin triggers some strong and horrible memories for Murni. After a moment or two, Murni realized that Mok had stopped talking and that Grimrock was ready to move further down into the caverns.
He nods at both Mok and Grimrock, and the motion helped bring back his focus, as he says, "take us to the cisterns, Mok, but take us by the less traveled route to avoid any contact along the way if possible."
You make your way down the gently sloping passage, clearly cut in the mountainside in the far past, and by craftsmen of some skill (though not up to dwarven standards). Smaller side passage prsent themselves from time to time, but Mok continues downward. After almost half an hour, he motions for you to stop, then eases out the end of the passage and into a huge cavern.
You peer out and can see that it stretches for a hundred yards or more, and is almost twice that tall. Ringing the open space, at various levels, are ledges dotted with torches and other light-sources. You are about 20 yards above the floor of the cave, and the ledge at the mouth of your tunnel slopes upward and downward, part of the spiraling rings of ledges around the circumfrence.
There is a general sense of motion in the entire space - goblins, too many to count and difficult to make out in the dim light, and they are all busily working at enlarging the already enormous cavern. The sound of hammers and picks on rock effectively mask any but the most deliberate of sounds.
In the middle of the cave, you see a large and growing central tower; slabs of rock from the face of the cave are being used to reinforce and raise it higher. Larger forms mill around the base of the tower - possibly hobgoblins.
Mok slides back into the tunnel. "Right, so, that's like the Old New Boss' place, yeah? But we don't gotta go there, so that's all good. We need to go down to the floor, and there there's another tunnel we can go to, it'll take us to the old cisterns, right? So, yeah, we should probably be kinda stealthy-like, I'm thinking."
Murni reaches out and claps Mok on the shoulder genuinely, and says with a smile, "good job, Mok. Lead on and we'll try to be quiet."
I should probably take off my breastplate, Murni thinks to himself as the falls in behind Mok and trying to be quiet.
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OOC: Murni's Stealth check = 8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2671351/).