Bhaakon's Brinewall Legacy IC

[North_Ranger]

Eirik Evensong

"If that is so, then whoever lived here must have packed the explosives in such a way that they were preserved in this musty environment", Eirik answered with a shake of his head. "I remember the ship's name. If memory serves, it was part of a modest merchant fleet led by Ameiko's father Lonjiku - a fleet that sunk with all hands dead, save for Lonjiku himself."

"I say we should take a closer look. With any luck, the goblins didn't ransack the place too thoroughly, and left some clues as to who or what lived here - maybe even supplies we could use. Or at least a journal or something... You know how the goblins react to written word."

[Bad Situation]

Kasuka's typically narrow eyes widen slightly at the revelation and for a brief instance, he turns around to take in the sight of the vessel. "No other survivors...save mother and uncle..." Staring at the bell in his hands with a look of consternation, he looks into the Ulfen's eyes and nods, speaking out loud in spite of himself. "...I agree with Eirik. There could be clues...relevant to the goblins and their goods amongst the wreckage that we may not yet know." Then, swiveling his head slightly he stares at Lethos, challenging him with the events occurring the day previous. "It would be remiss to overlook what is before us simply because you believe that you already know what is best."

[stack]

Lethos scowls, a familiar sight. "I am loathe to lose time when they may choose to employ their findings soon, but I have no objection to taking a moment to search or useful information. I just ask that we be quick about it." He sheathes his blade and strides to the ruined ship, eyes peeled for anything of use.

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perception (1d20)[11], searching the hulk

[North_Ranger]

Eirik Evensong

"Only Iomedae knows how many battles have been lost due to poor intelligence. Her or maybe Gorum, but I don't think He really gives a damn", Eirik shrugged as he followed Lethos into the wreck, keeping his weapons ready as he began to look for anything useful. Supplies, hidden caches, journals... or at the very least, any hint on who or what was dwelling in the wreck of the once-proud Kaijitsu Star. If he could find some nice Tian-Min keepsake to bring back to his fair Ameiko, that would be just dandy.

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Rolling Perception (1d20+5)[8]
And maybe Bardic knowledge to find anything of particular interest, vis-á-vis on the identity of the witch - or something Ameiko might like. (1d20+2)[17] (+4 if it's Knowledge (History)).

[Bhaakon]

You search the burnt out wreck completely, even raking through the coals for clues, but the fire has left little, and none of it whole. You find blackend bits of bones, a small collection of teeth that might be canine, a few metal utensils twisted and ruined by the fire, and hundreds of pottery shards, many of them the bone-white typical of fine Tian service pieces.

The dead horse, though rank and bursting with carrion-eating worms, bears more fruit. Most of its injuries are concentrated around the belly and legs, suggesting a foe far shorter than the horse. That analysis is confirmed by a single arrow, sized for a creature the size of a halfling or goblin, wedged deep in the carcass's empty eye socket.

[Bad Situation]

Kasuka bends down in the midst of the junk and carefully sifts through the trash with a thief's delicate touch, pocketing the fine pieces of pottery and carefully fitting them into his bag. They were dirty, fragmented remnants of the designs they once were but there was tragic bought in their frailty. If nothing else, they would serve as evidence of the ship's existence in case Ameiko thought to ask.

Dusting his hands off on his trousers, Kasuka turns his attention onto the remains of the dead horse. Examining the wounds on the equine's legs and underbelly he sniffs derisively. "Goblin work, no doubt..." Stalking closer to the corpse, Kasuka gingerly grips the arrow and begins carefully prying the thing out. Bows, as a rule of thumb, were generally expensive weapons. The means of purchasing, much less producing such weapons were surely beyond their means. It was a curious thing indeed.

With nothing left in the wreckage, Kasuka quickly climbs out and returns to the bank, watching and waiting to see if the others follow. If and when Lethos leaves, however he nods his head deferentially and says, "It seems you were correct. To the goblins, then?"

[Thattaman]

Theodric watches the scenario with the boat with curiosity and a hint of shock but when they see a dead horse there, he shivers and decides to go, "Come on, let's kill some goblins rather than spending days looking for help. First two guides gave us very little and this one sounds more dangerous than the other two, so lets not go there, why should we need to, just kill the scouts first, then slowly work your way inside, silently killing every gobbo you see. How's that for a plan?"

[stack]

Lethos nods to Kasuka. Replying to Theodric, "If they post sentries. Hard to predict goblins. But I agree, onward. There is blade-work to be done before the sun falls again."

[Bhaakon]

The game trail with the drag marks is narrow and shrouded in low-hanged vines and branches, but relatively clear near the ground. You make good time, only occasionally resorting to your blades to clear the way.

Without much warning the twisting track spits you out on a much wider, more established pathway. Considering that you've been heading more or less east and you haven't crossed any water, you can only assume that this is the Old Fish Trail, the one leading directly to the goblin village.

The drag mars gouged in the earth continue on this new path, heading to your right, though they're harder to make out under scores of more recent goblin-sized foot prints.

[ProudGrognard]

Caleban

Caleban reflexively gazes at the sky, after their treck around the witch 's wreck.

"It seems that we are very close to the village now. Some strange things are happening. Why did the goblins become so aggressive now? What happened?
In any case, we need information. Is any one us good enough with silence? I am not."

[North_Ranger]

Eirik Evensong

"I'll go", Eirik volunteered, holding his bow and arrow at a low-ready position. He had been quite jumpy ever since they left the Kaijitsu Star; something about this whole swamp was unsettling to him. Not to mention their situation... so many questions, so few answers. Who had been living in the Star's wreck? And why? What had the goblins taken from the wreck? And for the love of the gods, what was that smell? "If I can get past Vem Vinder, I think I can manage some goblins", he added with a smirk.

[stack]

"Is it that much of a mystery? There are reports, per the posted notice, of the goblins having fireworks or explosives of some sort. They drug a crate of something from the wreck of a ship that traded with Tian. Tian, which, for those of you who have lived in this little corner of the world for your entire short lives, is known for fireworks. And as everyone who lives anywhere near goblins knows, the little beasts love fire. So now the greatest questions are whether they will blow themselves up before attacking and if not, if we can stop them before the village is in flames. You can scout about if you wish, but I would as soon hit them quickly, not giving them a chance to form a defense."

[Bhaakon]

The village isn't far. About eighty paces and a couple curves down the snaking path brings Eirik within sight of the crude wooden palisade surrounding the goblin's fortified settlement. A wooden gate where the path intersects the wall lies in shambles on the ground. Nearby, a large, algae-filled pool on the northeastern side breaks the palisade and allows a clearer view into the village’s interior, which consists of a collection of ramshackle huts connected by wooden walkways, all built on thick wooden stilts. The entire village is blanketed in a haze of smoke, spawned by a large pit of smouldering coals just inside the shattered gate.

What Eirik does not see is a single goblin.

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If you want to approach closer, I'll need a stealth check

[North_Ranger]

Eirik Evensong

There's only one thing more disturbing than singing goblins: goblins who aren't singing, Eirik thought to himself as he steeled his nerves. Keeping his bow ready to fire at anyone who noticed his presence, he sneaked closer, trying to see if there was anyone still in the encampment - or whether something worse than goblins had moved in. He did his best to stay hidden, using the undergrowth and the hanging smoke to his advantage.

There oughta be women and children here at the very least... Never heard goblins breeding out of muck...

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Stealth check (1d20+5)[18]

EDIT: Ah, sorry, mistyped... Eirik's stealth is +6, not +5, so that's... 19.

[Bad Situation]

Kasuka scoffs at the Ulfen's offer to scout ahead but says nothing, simply drawing his new dagger and gesturing for Eirik to go ahead. Whatever skill the bard professes it was undoubtedly overshadowed by his own talents in stealth. Still, with the goblins so near to them it was undoubtedly safer if they roamed in pairs rather than apart from one another. Cracking his neck slightly, Kasuka silently flits in beside Eirik, eyes wary for any signs of danger.

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Kasuka takes 10 for his Stealth check to get a result of 20.

[Bhaakon]

Eirik and Kasuka dart between shadows, sneaking right up to the wall without drawing attention. Between the broken gate and the numerous chinks in the palisade, it's easy for the pair to get an overview of the village.

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The smoke isn't thick, but nearly gags them with the unmistakable stench of burned flesh. From up close, it's easy to see the score of blackened goblin skulls grinning out at you from the smouldering circle of coals. The village remains eerily quiet. Even the buzzing insects have abandoned the site.

[Bad Situation]

Kasuka scans over the village with curiosity, grateful again for the veil obscuring his slightly dropped jaw. Tapping Eirik on the shoulder he whispers, "Ghost town. Goblins may be lying in wait. Get the others while I remain to watch over the surroundings. Comb over village on return." There was a battle, or at the very least an invasion, given the broken wall. Even creatures as stupid as the goblins knew better than to allow their gates to fall into disrepair. The scorching implied some sort of fiery assault. That was a given at least.

[North_Ranger]

Eirik Evensong

"Very well", Eirik whispered and turned. Before sneaking out, he nudged Kasuka's side a little. "Don't try and be a hero", he whispered. "If you see trouble, you run and lead them to us. I'd rather buy you a drink than drink to your memory once all this is over", he whispered with a small smile before rushing to get the others.

[stack]

Upon receiving the Eirik's report, Lethos readies to head in. "Then let us make a sweep. Whatever caused the fire aided us, I suspect, though it may have just been their carelessness. If they have other foes we may have to deal with them as well, but that will have to wait."

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when he gets to the gate, Lethos will cast shield and enchant his sword to +1

[ProudGrognard]

Caleban

"It seems that someone is intent on doing our job for us", Caleban frowningly says. "And I don't see how we are going to collect goblin ears if they have been burned to a crisp."

"But yes, let's do a sweep. All together, I propose, do not get split"

He shifts his axe in his hands, his eyes and ears straining to hear anything.

[Thattaman]

Theodric whispers to Lethos, "If we want to get these goblins out, there's two things we need to do, set everything one fire and they'll go crazy, then start writing on the walls. They'll be so scared of losing words out of their brain, they'll attack us in a crazed sort of a way that is easy to kill. Theodric then gets his bow out and aims it around. "Listen up gobbos! If you guys don't com out here and cut your ears off, we'll burn everything you own, take your food and kill you! What do you think?"

[Bad Situation]

Kasuka is forced to look away from his village-wide examination to stare at the idiotic man-child yelling at the, hopefully, empty village. He buries his face in his hands and wonders how the belligerent psychopath managed to work his way into the group. There was bravado and then there was idiocy. But then, idiocy implied a sort of ignorance. The ranger currently screaming out in the middle of the goblin village was not ignorant of his actions, just insane and inordinately cantankerous.

He was beginning to see why Shalelu acted the way she did around him. Anybody forced to deal with him with any frequency likely did the same.

[Bhaakon]

Theodore's challenge rings through the village, garnering cringes and reproachful stares from his more cautious companions. For a moment it seems like there won't be an answer, but finally the weedy voice of a female goblin squeaks forth from the building adjacent to the broken gate.

"Too late longshanks, deaders tooked the treasure and killed all the Licktoads. No one here. Go away before ghosts kill you." Says the voice through the porous walls of the tumbledown shanty.

[stack]

Lethos chants a dweomer before striding forward, pointing his blade toward the huts. "At the risk of stating the obvious, they are not all dead. May be the truth, may be a trap, but if goblins remain we must deal with them."

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casting shield, enchanting sword

Lethos Far-wanderer
M N Elf magus (black blade), Level 1, Init +6, HP 8/10, Speed 30
AC 21, Touch 14, Flat-footed 17, Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Black Blade (not yet awakened) Elven dueling saber (rapier w/ Slashing) +5 (1d6+2, 18-20x2)
studded leather, shield spell (+3 Armor, +4 Shield, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8
Condition +1 weapon for 10 rnds
+4 shield bonus for 10 rnds

[North_Ranger]

Eirik Evensong

Eirik had visibly cringed when the Taldan ranger had issued his challenge. Gods, had this one been dropped on his head when he was a baby? the Ulfen thought to himself - but his musings were cut short by the female goblin voice, his bow immediately rising.

"If that is so, then show yourself. I don't take kindly to people who speak out from hiding!" Eirik called out, trying to figure out if the lone voice had been speaking the truth - or was pulling their proverbial leg.

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Sense Motive (1d20+5)[22]

[Bhaakon]

@Eirik

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The part about all the licktoads being dead and their ghosts coming back to kill you is an obvious lie, but the "deaders tooked the treasure" part of the goblin's story carries the ring of truth.

"Try to warn stupid longshanks," the female goblin responds to Eirik's demand, "now ghosts of Licktoad past going to kill you!"

A female goblin in a grubby wedding veil and the tattered remains of a human-sized dress (perhaps white at some point in the distant past, but now a collage of mud, blood, and grass stains) bursts from the shack besides the gate and clambers along the raised walkway looking for clear shot with her long bow. She's quickly followed by two more goblins, each sporting smoldering slow matches and gayly colored bamboo tubes.

Map, etc.

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Round 1: Kasuka and Theodoric are up, no one else should post yet. Full round actions.



Raised Walkways: The walkways are at about chest-height to an adult human. It takes a move action to climb onto the walkways at a ladder, or a DC 10 climb check and a move action to climb where there isn't one (failure means that your move ends at the last spot before attempting to mount the walkway). Either provokes AoOs. Jumping off the walkways is a DC 10 acrobatics check to avoid falling prone on the muddy ground, but doesn't cost anything extra in terms of actions or move distance.

Fire pit: The fire pit is the circular blob between Theodoric and Lethos. If you want to cross through squares G,H;4,5,6, or I,5 roll a DC 15 reflex save or take 1d6 fire damage (or substitute an acrobatics check for the appropriate distance if you want to jump the coals, failure means 1d6 fire damage, no save). If you end your move in any of those squares, you take the damage with no save.

[Bad Situation]

Kasuka's eyes widen at the sight of the goblins but what catches his attention are the creatures themselves but the bamboo implements they seemed to be holding. "The fireworks...surely they do not mean to fire them weapons...!" Dashing alongside the raised walkway, he hurls a shuriken at the closest firework-wielding goblin while waiting for his party to follow up on his assault.

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Dash to E5 and throw a shuriken at Goblin C4.
Attack: (1d20+4)[15] vs Flatfooted AC
-- Damage Roll: (1d2)[1]
-- Sneak Attack: (1d6)[3]

[Thattaman]

"Hmm, it usually works better than this. That may have looked slightly stupid, sorry but I've tried it before and it worked amazingly. Goblins are drawn to idiots, and then I can just pick them off one by one and collect the ears. Oh well, it managed to draw there attention and not kill us, so I think it actually worked." As he says this, an arrow flies at the goblin with a firework that is not being attacked by Kasuka. "Trust me, I'm a professional!" He shouts back at his companions while the arrow is in the air.

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Attack (1d20+3)[14] Damage (1d8+1)[8]

[Bhaakon]

Kasuka is on the move before the first goblin is even out of the door, and in position to throw his sherukin while Theodoric is in mid-bluster. The wickedly sharp throwing star darts across the distance, embedding itself in the target's jaundiced eye. The half-blind goblin gropes madly at the star, forgetting his Desnan candle entirely as it claw the steal disc from the hideous wound.

It's neighbor, in typical goblin fashion, laughs and points at its injured comrad, but only for the fraction of a second it takes for Theodoric's arrow to leap from the Taldan's bow to the cruel little creature's forehead. The laughing corpse sways on its feet for a moment before realizing it's dead, then tumbles down into the mud below the walkway.

The goblin in the shredded wedding dress at least has the sense to focus on the battle. She yanks crude arrow from the skunk-fur quiver slung across her back and returns fire against Theodoric, though to much less effect. The shaft flies wide, burying itself in the coals.

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Everyone is up. No new map, since not much has happened.

Kasuka is now at E5

Goblin B5 is dead

[North_Ranger]

Eirik Evensong

"Less talking, more fighting, if you please!" Eirik called out as he stepped away from Caleban. He was afraid the goblins would start throwing fireworks at them, and he had no intention to make their job easier by giving them a nice, big group to toss their munitions at.

As he danced aside, he began to sing once more, bolstering the spirits of his comrades with a Magnimarian ditty. One that involved three goblins trying to steal a chicken, using a bucket of tar and a lampshade...

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Move to J3.

Inspire courage! +1 to everyone's attack and damage rolls, and +1 morale bonus against fear and charm effects.