The Lost Tribe (Goblin Gestalt)

[Methates]

Gorm

Gorm happily continues munching on the human, managing to rip one of its arms off.

"You can get your own arm!" he says, punctuating it with a loud belch.

"Are we going to kill more humans or is it time to sleep?"

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Keep in mind, guys. I'm not going to always jump in and tell you what to do. Go ahead, Roleplay amongst yourselves, let me know what you're going to do.

To recap the situation:

It's about an hour after dark. Lank has calmed down the mule, you have an entire campsite you have yet to ransack, and you still don't know what is in the bags and chest on the mule's saddle pack. You have several people who are seriously injured. The Human Cleric is stable, but unconcious still, the Barbarian ran away in fear. All the other humans are dead.

So, what do you do now?

[Derwood]

Gribbus

Wandering around the camp using the human's longspear as a walking stick, Gribbus starts poking around looking through the humans belongings.

Poking the unconcious cleric with the blunt end of the spear, Gribbus plops down next to him, "I think we need to tie up this human holy man and call this a night. The big man with an axe did me some bad, and I don't think he's coming back any time soon, so... why don't we tear through what they left behind and camp out. Then in the morning- we wake up the Human and get the truth out of him."

[Jael_Darkwood]

Malar

"Let's stake him out and beat him a little... just for fun. In the morning we can get some information out of him."

Malar begins to prepare the stakes... Hopefully, someone has rope use, or I might just settle for breaking the cleric's knees and elbows before I tie him...

[Chineselegolas]

Shad'roh

Reaching into his pack and pulling out some rope, Shad'roh stepped over to Malar and the cleric. "Beating is so ineffective. A few slivers of skin taken from the chest brings much more pain and loosens the tongue."

[Jael_Darkwood]

Malar

"Effective, perhaps... but there is something so satisfying in clubbing a helpless human into a bloody pulp..." He leers evilly. Assuming that Shadroh has the situation in hand (tying up the cleric), Malar will roam the camp, looting valuables and stacking them in piles.

[Derwood]

Gribbus

"You know... There are more effective ways of getting the truth out of someone than torture and pain- and I just so happen to control them all. Now don't get me wrong- I like to stab, stab as much as the next angry goblin, but.. sometimes there are more effective means..."

[Methates]

Gorm

Gorm seems entirely uninterested in the discussion going on, until he hears something about clubbing the unconscious cleric. He walks over still chewing on the arm, then decides to whack the cleric a few times with it.

"Wake up human so I can beat you!" he says.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Okay, ransacking the area, you find the following:

In the first tent
A travel alter, 2 inscense sconces, 1 candle holder in the shape of a pelor-sun, a sack containing 43 gold and assorted silver and coppers, extra sun-in-glory Pelor holy symbols, a leatherbound book of prayers with the Pelor sun emblazoned on the front, three flasks which seem to contain wine, and two flasks which contain what seems to be water.

In the next tent:

Two shortswords, one longsword, one large metal shield, two large wooden shields, a Guisarme, a much battered and well-worn copy of a book entitled 'Art of War' by Sun Tzu, A bag containing 58 gold and another containing assorted silver and copper, and under the pillow of the cot was a copy of PlayElf: Swimsuit Edition.

The next tent contains:

Various hides and scalps hanging up and scattered about, a whetstone, a jar labeled Beard Grease: Braiding Made Easy, another suit of medium studded leather which is rather soiled and smells horridly of human, three throwing axes, a Battleaxe, a beaten and abused Large Steel Shield, and a big bear rug, claws and head included, under a pallet and used as padding.

The next tent contains:

An unstrung longbow, a pouch of bowstrings, a square of Resin, A quiver full of arrows which still smell faintly of glue, an extra bottle of fletching glue, various packets of herbs and spices, with dried Holly and Mistletoe hanging over the enterance

The next one appears to be empty and neat, however opening the actual mattress reveals a small pouch containing 83 gold, no silver or copper, and a second pouch containing two gems. A spell component pouch is found, but upon inspection, instead of spell components, various infiltration tools are stored in the waterproof compartments instead. There are also two scrolls of Cure Light Wounds, a Potion labeled Cure Disease, and a length of tin which seems to be a wand of some sort.

The final tent in the semicircle contains:

a foldable desk and camp chair, with a bulls-eye lantern that is currently lit. There are multiple papers on the desk itself, written in various languages, as well as an Ink Blotter and Quill pen. Several bottles of dubious looking substances of varying liquidity from watery to ooze to goo to gelatenous are stacked up neatly in a row on a rickedy collapsable shelf. There is a large leatherbound tome with a bronze lock holding it shut and some kind of rune or glyph on the book itself, which faintly glows a neon pink. The tome itself sits on the partially made cot.

There is also a pot of stew over the fire that smells like it also has some of the pig meat in it as well as various local tubers, roots, and vegetables.

On the Mule:

Once Lank gets it calmed down, it lets you examine the contents.

The Saddle Pack itself is clearly a 'deluxe' version. It has spaces for four saddlebags on each side (total eight), and three compartments on the mule's back for chests or sacks to rest in. Each corner also has a small post sticking up with a hook and ring setup which could hold a lantern of some kind. On this pack are eight saddlebags, on top is one chest and two sacks which seem full. Four lanterns (unlit) are hung, two bulls eye in front and two regular in back, none are lit. There are also various flasks hanging from the rope which has been tied to the lantern posts.

Most of the saddlebags contain mundane necessities.

1) Contains travel rations and consumables including dried or salted cow or pig meat, cheese, unleavened flatbread, and such. Also contains 'iron rations', which in this case means oats, peanuts, dried fruits, all stuck together with honey. The saddlebag is just about half full, should last a while.

2) Contains supplies to make consumables, including a container of flour, another of dried beans, one of lard, a container of dried berries, and a cast iron skillet.

3-8) all contain clothes and such, nothing really worth much of value. Looks like each human had their own pouch for their 'necessities'.

The chest on the back of the mule contains:

Well, you recognise the chest, it's from your tribe, the one that sat under the Chief's bed and brought out only for trading with other tribes. It contains the sum and total of all monatary wealth of your clan... 102 gold, 54 silver, and 87 copper. It also contains several scrolls written by the wise woman, and her large book, which appears to remain undisturbed. You know that she guards her book with arcane as well as mundane measures. The last goblin kid who was dared to read from her book ended up as still as a statue in the middle of the clan for over a week, and she said that she would make the next one even worse.

In the middle bag are all the clan's trade goods which were of value that were not destroyed. Bone carvings, certain spices which other clans pay good value for, a couple of the tapestries which were marked for trade to another clan, and a polished amber globe with an insect imbedded in it.

In the front bag, is... not much, actually. You figure some of the stuff currently out goes in here. There is a coil of hemp rope in the bottom, though.

Ransacking the area took you two hours, it is now three hours past dusk, well into night. The moon has risen high in the air, blood red this night, a Blood Moon as your wise-woman called it, which is the harbinger of great things.

Gorm whacks at the cleric a few times, who groans, still not quite concious.

If anyone is actually going to tie up the cleric, make a Use Rope check (Default, if necessary). Otherwise, let me know what you're going to do with him.

The Barbarian hasn't returned, so he's probably not going to be back.

[Chineselegolas]

Shad'roh

Seeing no-one else offering to tie the cleric up, Shad'roh knelt down with his rope and hog tied the cleric.
use rope - (1d20+6)[13]
"He is all yours if you want Gribbus, I'm more interested in the wise woman's book." Shad'roh said walking over to it. "If she knew this was coming she may have left more instructions in it." Reaching out for it and pausing just short of grabbing it, he turned to look at Malar, then at Gribbus "Uhh, can either of you guys tell if the magic protections are still around it"

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Okay, the cleric is a bit tied up at the moment, he's still unconcious.

I'll also want to know if anyone touches or disturbs the sorcerer's book on his bed, otherwise I will assume it was left behind.

[Methates]

Gorm

After hitting the cleric a few more times for fun, Gorm looks around and observes the others ransacking the camp. Then he yawns, lays down, and starts to take a short nap in front of the cleric.

[Derwood]

Gribbus

Rummaging through the tents, Gribbus eventually comes to the Sorcerers with its various ews, goos, and brews. Sloshing a few of the jars around, the tomb on the cot eventually catches his attention. Looking at it dubiously, Gribbus closes his eyes and mutters under his breath while waving his hand inches over the top of the book [casting detect magic].

Spoiler

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If the detect magic comes back clear:

With the lack of magical protections on the book, Gribbus examines the lock [search (d20+7)[14] and attempts to open the clasp.

disable device (if trapped): (d20+7)[15]
open lock: (d20+8)[9]

[quiet1mi]

Lank

after calming down the mule, lank will find a place to sit, facing the moon, and pray to Maglubiyet.

Spoiler

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the desired spells include
0
cure minor wounds x2
mending
1
disguise self - domain
cure light wounds
bless

[Jael_Darkwood]

Malar

"All the money should go into a shared fund... we are too few to start a new tribe, or steal enough women.... we must now gain power and prestige, such that clans gather to us. This fund will be our start down that road." If none dispute, he will gather all the gold, gems, trade goods, etc, and put them in one of the mule's bags. Then, he'll settle down for a few hours of cautious attempts to disarm/discover traps on the wise woman's book. (spellcraft +7, knowledge : arcana +7, all the usual zero level spells, and i'll re-search the wise woman's tent for possible help).

[Chineselegolas]

Shad'roh

Standing back up leaving the book on the floor, Shad'rod said "I have no complaints about pooling funds, the elders always did that, giving us what was needed"

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Gribbus

Rummaging through the tents, Gribbus eventually comes to the Sorcerers with its various ews, goos, and brews. Sloshing a few of the jars around, the tomb on the cot eventually catches his attention. Looking at it dubiously, Gribbus closes his eyes and mutters under his breath while waving his hand inches over the top of the book [casting detect magic].

Spoiler

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If the detect magic comes back clear:

With the lack of magical protections on the book, Gribbus examines the lock [search [roll0] and attempts to open the clasp.

disable device (if trapped): [roll1]
open lock: [roll2]

Most of the ews and goos are nonmagical. Three brews register magical. The rune on the book does as well.

Malar examines the wise woman's book. There are several pages which radiate fairly strong magic. Through your studies, you strongly suspect a combination of Sepia Snake Sigils and Exploding Runes are safeguarding this tome, but that rune on the cover is far more dangerous. It seems to be spent, however, as it no longer radiates magic. The powdered Diamond used in making the symbol on the cover is generally reserved only for powerful protections. You're just grateful you don't have to deal with it.

[Derwood]

Gribbus

Seeing the three bottles light up, Gribbus grabs them and tosses 'em in his pack. Looking at the lit up book and not thinking it a good idea to mess with without knowing what it could do, he leaves the tent. "Weak caster human left his little book behind, it's magic of some kind, but I dunno what it is. Blech."

Heading over to the stewing soup, Gribbus ladles himself out some and starts eating.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

So no one is going to reply to Gribbus's comments?

[ShneekeyTheLost]

By the power of Plot, I fastforward time to morning. The Human doesn't wake up before then unless someone wants to heal him.

Dawn Breaks (CRASH!!) [rimshot]

No, seriously...

The sun begins to peek over the eastern peaks of the Nasty Mountains, shining it's first rays down on the goblin lands. There's a bit of fog this morning, but it seems to be burning off quickly enough, and promises to be a bright and sunny day.

Everyone is considered to get enough sleep to recover their spells for the night.

Whomever is watching the Cleric (I'm assuming there was some kind of watch rotation here) will notice him start to come around at about dawn. He begins struggling, but knows less than nothing about how to escape bonds such as were tied, and does not have the strength to break the bonds.

Now you have a concious prisoner, who is very much helpless, and completely at your mercy... which, considering you're all Evil, and he just got done murdering everyone you ever cared about, isn't a whole hell of a lot. Sucks to be him.

Gentlemen, let the torture begin! Let's play a game, whoever can make the Cleric make the most interesting noise gets 50 bonus xp.

[Chineselegolas]

Shad'roh

Sitting near to the Cleric as he awoke, Shad'roh turned and smiled, holding his hunting knife, running his thumb along the blade. "Morning human. You took our friends and family from us, now we shall take from you. One digit, one limb, one slice of flesh at a time". Grinning evil flame lept over his blade as he ran it down the front of the clerics robs, slicing them open.

Standing and rolling the cleric over with his foot, Shad'roh crouched on the clerics back, taking the blade down to the clerics bound hands slicing the skin between the fingers. "I wish you hadn't of burnt the village down" as he finished slicing one hand and moved onto the other, "There were several much nicer tools there".

Rolling the cleric back over, and crouching putting his face near the clerics, Shad'roh smiled grimly shaking his head. "So, why did you people come visit us?" he said tapping his knife right beneath the clerics eyes, slightly cutting the skin.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

The cleric winces and grimaces in pain at the cuts, but does not make any noise. He glowers fiercely at Shad'roh

Your raids on the mines of our dwarven allies have become intolerable, so we reply in kind. Your species is a blight on these lands, and we will see this land cleansed for proper civilized inhabitation. Kill me if you wish, it matters not. The next group will take care of you, I am certain. And your death will be all the more painful when they realize you committed such atrocities as torture.

[Chineselegolas]

Shad'roh

"Raids on mines, that wasn't us." Shad'roh said standing up. "And why would i want to kill you, you are much more fun like this. I was looking forward to continuing for another few hours but you obviously don't have any resolve against informing the enemy"
Walking around, Shad'roh looked to the others if they had any questions they wanted to ask.

[Jael_Darkwood]

Malus

"Malus walks forward, and strokes the side of the man's face. A crackle of dark energy leaves the skin gray and sickly where his hand lights (using the barest non-damaging amount of charnel touch). "Such a pity... such a pity. And we were going to recommend against further attacks on the mines... you see, the reason we weren't here... we were part of the last meeting of tribes... we came back to report the decisions being made." He looks at the cleric thoughtfully. "Do you have any family or friends there? Perhaps... we could arrange to spare them if you told us where the good loot was... I mean, one living human or dwarf wont make much of a difference to us... and someone will get the good loot, might as well be us...." He smiles. "Who knows... if you can tell us a way to get it ourselves, we might still try and prevent the attack from happening... I mean... more treasure for us, thats a good reason." He pauses. "And those damn frells in the Grebchar clan won't take their cut that way..." He snarls.

Spoiler

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bluff 1d20+8 to get him to tell us a way to get good loot in the mines
-ack forgot to make it a roll, ill do it in ooc.
my sense motive is +5, and I think he might lie.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

[NOTE: Off-board rolling for Cleric's Sense Motive check, as well as your Sense Motive Check and his Bluff check -if any- because there would be no way for your character to tell if it was successful or not, and it just adds a little bit of spice to the RP going on. Life is full of such uncertainties, after all]

The Cleric flinches back at the (non-damaging) charnel touch, a look of disgust on his face, mingled with fear.

My family is the entire Church of Pelor, my kin number in the thousands. I don't know anything about the mines themselves, the dwarves led us through blindfolded for just such occasions as being captured alive and tortured. You can't give away what you don't know, after all.

And I don't believe that any goblin would speak against raiding. You lot are all evil, despicable, depraved, and a danger to all of civilization. Greedy bloodthirsty bastards. I am secure in the knowledge that when I die, Pelor will shine down upon me and take me home to my final reward. No amount of mortal pain will ever change that.

[By the way, darn good RP there, Jael. I encourage players to use class abilities for these kinds of things, like you used Charnel Touch for. To the best of your knowledge, he's telling the truth as he sees it. I also normally reward attempts to obtain information like you just did. Sadly, this guy is something of a fanatic, otherwise it might have gone over much differently.]

[Jael_Darkwood]

Malus

"Your family is the church of Pelor? Interesting. You know... we goblins are stereotyped as monsters... but have you ever tried to do well by us? No. You humans kill us off when you see us, and take our lands. Well. My tribe is my family. And now, it's dead." He looks calmly down at the cleric, but something in the stillness of his gaze, the calmness... something makes a chill run down the cleric's spine. "Our god is a god of vengeance, just as yours is a god of light. Your kind will not hide. Our kind will not stop." He pauses, grabs the cleric's chin in one hand, and yanks his face until they are eye to eye. "Prepare some space in your afterlife. I'll be sending your family to visit."

Unless someone moves to stop him, Malus will use the hand he is holding the cleric's chin with to slowly and agonizingly drain the remainder of his life (1 damage a round, charnel touch) while he calmly maintains eye contact, watching the life slowly leave his eyes.

[quiet1mi]

Lank

As Lank watches Malus drain the cleric's life away, he will step foward and say(in goblin),"Malus, if you don't mind, I believe that killing this despicable creature is not enough and from what he said it will only bring him the pleasure in knowing that he did not provide any information to us. *grins* Besides I think that killing him is too merciful of an act... keeping him alive seems to be the greatest cruelty we can provide to him...unfortunately for him I can provide that service."

If the cleric has fallen unconscious and if Malus allows Lank to provide the cleric with a cure minor wounds to stabilize him then he will do so...

When/if the Cleric wakes back up or if Malus lets Lank have a turn in torturing the cleric...

Spoiler

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"(in common)Cleric, did you honestly think that I would be sooo merciful as to allow you experience the sweet release of death? Lank Hissed, as he "after all, I am sure that is exactly what you wanted... Even if you know nothing I would never pass up the opportunity to torture you by carving symbols of Maglubiyet onto your living flesh... Believe me when I say that your life will become Hell and I will be the one keeping you there..."

[Jael_Darkwood]

Malus

Malus shrugs, and spits into the cleric's eye. "Do your worst. I am finished here."

Malus walks over to the campfire to eat some cooked human.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

The cleric tries to stoically take the damage as he falls into negatives, managing to keep his noises down to a low groan. Lank then heals him, and proceeds to taunt him. The cleric shudders as he is revived, and tries to keep a stiff uppper lip as he hears Lank's words.

Do what you will, goblin. Torture has ever been your way.

You can tell that while he is trying to present a stoic and brave front, he is beginning to fear what is going to happen to him next.

[Methates]

Gorm

Gorm wakes up from happy dreams involving much pillaging. Hungry, he looks around for something to eat. Then he spots the Cleric. Taking out his dagger he trots up and cuts off his foot. Plainly, simply, he cuts off the cleric's foot and starts eating it in front of the cleric.

"Nothing like fresh food..." says Gorm as he happily munches.