Second Expedition - The Caves of Chaos

[KingOfCowards]

Sham guards the hallway while Saeros binds one of the goblins.
"Well, they know we're here. We should either pursue before they can get more help, or we should retreat to a more defensive position."

[Spartakos]

21st of Shining, 12:35 pm

The elf, who introduces himself as Saeros, gives you a brief explanation of his presence as you deal with the sleeping goblins. He tells you he had been exploring another cave with some comrades, but they encountered a great beast that slew all his friends in a matter of seconds, and he barely escaped with his life. He then saw you enter this cave and followed, hoping to make alliance with you.

(Wanted to give Saeros a little intro; further conversation is at your discretion.)

Henry helps with the looting while Lardo handles the messy business of throat-slitting. At Saeros's request, he leaves one alive to be bound and gagged. Sham stands guard to the front, while Eglistrum and the hired youths watch the rear. In short order, you have 4 new ears, a handful of silver from the dead goblins (22 sp), and a well-trussed prisoner, who has been awakened by your rough handling and is now staring at you with angry eyes, a rope gag forced between his sharp teeth. Henry checks with Cormac about healing, but the big Lamoran says he is good for the moment.

(Besides the coin mentioned, these goblins are acoutred similarly to the ones you fought before; leather jacks, halfhelms, wood shields, and a total of 7 javelins and 2 hand axes.)

Sham hears a great shout, and the hubbub lessens a good deal. He can then hear a voice barking orders. Those who understand goblin can make out his words:

"Intruders? Form up, and if they come forth we will kill them. All of you, javelins at the ready. Vakul, Sturm, with me. Easy there, Fang...heel."

Actions?

[GreyWolfVT]

Cormac takes the hand axes from the dead goblins. "Never can be too prepared, sounds like we have trouble though."

[KingOfCowards]

Sham whispers back to the group, "They are preparing for an attack, and ready with javelins. They have some kind of wolf too, by the sounds of it. I say we get back to a safer spot. Attacking them now is clearly to their advantage."

[Gelatinous Q]

"I agree with Sham," says Lardo. "Let's fall back and make a plan." He draws his dagger and points it at the captive goblin. "And let's start finding out what this one knows."

Questions to ask him via Sham:
• who or what is Fang?
• how many in his clan?
• is there any way they can circle back and surprise us from behind?

If he proves surly or reluctant to answer, Lardo will produce the orc head and see if that changes his attitude at all.

[Bloodaxe]

Saeros Silversword

Saeros grabs his sword in a two-handed grip and hides along the corner where the Goblins appeared, ready to attack if any are brave enough to enter the room. Hopefully, if they charge in without looking, they will pass him hiding behind the corner and he can attack.

[Spartakos]

The group confers hastily, and at the urging of Sham and Lardo, retreat back down the corridor to the room with the barrels. Eyeing the corridor warily--and with Saeros poised by the entrance, should any unwary goblin come forward--they reassess.

You said retreat to a safer spot...where were you thinking?

[KingOfCowards]

The room with the barrels seems like a good stopping point for now. There are only two exits, and Sham will pile the barrels in front of the one we came back through.

Sham will begin to question the goblin, gently at first but with promises of further trouble should he resist. He'll start with the questions supplied by Lardo, but additionally, the dwarf would like to learn the following:
- Who is in charge? How many sub-cheifs and/or spell-casters?
- What is the layout of this cave? (General number of rooms is fine, but I would want to know if there is a dungeon for instance, or if this is some grand labyrinth that we are getting ourselves into)
- What is the goblins relationships with the humanoids from the other caves?

We will start with this line of questioning. Since we would need to rest before Saeros gains charm anyway, we might as well start somewhere. While we're on the subject, I don't mean to be nit-picky but Saeros would need to speak a language in common with the goblin (which would probably be hobgoblin) in order to charm him. We might want to check into this before we waste a spell.

[GreyWolfVT]

Cormac retreats to the barrels with the others and helps move the barrels and gets into a defensive position as the goblin is being questioned.

[Bloodaxe]

Saeros Silversword

Sears retreats with the others.( since that seems to be the plan) He will examine the room for any traps or secret doors . ( Elf ability) Then prepares for the assault taking cover or building a barricade if needed.


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ooc- the last thing we need is to be attacked from behind or surrounded.

[badams30]

Brother Henry - Cleric

Henry hastily retreats with the others, pausing to assist in stacking the barrels. Henry also tucks his sling in his belt for easy access.
"This is probably as defensible as it gets, but if things go bad, we need to leave - quickly. Do we have some oil handy? That could serve to grease up the floor and provide some extra incentive for these things to leave us alone..."

OOC: I think some oil might even the odds a bit, coupled with some missile weapons...

[Scott308]

Eglistrum Paharis

Rummaging in his backpack, the mage pulls out two flasks of oil. Returning to the hallway, he then pours the contents all over the floor as he backs his way to the rest of the party. While it may not stop the goblins, it should hopefully slow them down and provide for easier targets for those handy with missile weapons. And if someone should happen to throw a lit torch that direction...

[Spartakos]

21st of Shining, 12:45 pm

The group hastily erects a barricade, using the barrels; it won't hold back a determined assault, but will provide some cover (-4 AC vs. missiles) and hinder any goblins trying to enter and fight you (they will need to either climb it or shove it aside in order to melee, which will take a round's action, during which you can attack them...see the orc fight from last expedition). Before fully blocking the room, Eglistrum spreads oil all over the corridor leading from the corner to the entrance.

While some of the group array themselves to repulse a goblin counter-offensive, Sham and Lardo attempt to wring information from their prisoner. At first he seems unwilling to betray his people, but some judicious threats--and Lardo's display of the rotting orc chief's head--loosens his tongue a bit.

- how many in his clan?
The goblin pauses; clearly math is not his strong suit. "Few dozen?"
- is there any way they can circle back and surprise us from behind?
He shakes his head reluctantly. "No."
- Who is in charge? How many sub-cheifs and/or spell-casters?
"Chief Haziz. No spell-workers, but he has 2 big bodyguards."
- who or what is Fang?
"Fang is big wolf, Chief's pet."
- What is the layout of this cave? (General number of rooms is fine, but I would want to know if there is a dungeon for instance, or if this is some grand labyrinth that we are getting ourselves into)
"Just five rooms, all same level."
- What is the goblins relationships with the humanoids from the other caves?
He spits. "Hobgoblins want to rule us, we spurn them. Rest are scum." A glimmer of fear creeps into his expression. "New human cult wants to rule too; want us to pray to their death god, has much power. But we hold to the old ways...Moloch will eat the hearts of their priests." His last sentence comes out defiant, but it is clearly tinged with doubt.

Actions? How are you set up for defense, positions, weapons? And how long are you planning to hold here?

[Bloodaxe]

Saeros Silversword

Searos grasps his sword with both hands and takes a place behind the barricade but ready to fight on the front line. He takes a quick look about the room for any traps or secret passages. (1 Elf ability)
[1d6] = 1

He nods to those questioning the Goblin prisoner.

Ask him if there are any traps or secret passages. Also if there is treasure. We can see if this battle will be worth it.

[Gelatinous Q]

Lardo will position himself by the barricade with a lit torch. Once he spots more than 6 goblins in the corridor, he'll toss the torch and, hopefully, flambé a bunch of the little buggers.

OOC: what sort of roll should I make for this action?

[GreyWolfVT]

Cormac gets into position to make use of the throwing axes he picked up from the goblins.

[Scott308]

Eglistrum Paharis

After covering the floor with oil, Eglistrum will get behind the barrier, staff in hand, ready to crack goblin skulls if necessary.

[KingOfCowards]

At Saeros' suggestion, Sham asks the prisoner about the boss' treasures. Does he carry any magical items or jewelry?

After the questioning is over, Sham will get ready by the barrels with his sword to defend against an attack.

[Spartakos]

21st of Shining, 1:00 pm

Cormac and Lardo, hand axes and torch held ready, stand by the barricade to repel goblin boarders. Eglistrum grips his staff and stands nearby. Geert scowls and keeps an arrow fitted to his bowstring, eyeing both doors.

Saeros makes a suggestion, and Sham follows his advice, asking the goblin about any treasure or fancy loot the leader might have. He says that Chief Haziz wears a wolfskin cape, and carries "the Black Stick" as his only weapon...apparently some kind of cudgel. He doesn't know if it is magical, but is certainly afraid of the chief and his ability to knock heads with it.

Sham leaves the prisoner in the care of the 2 hirelings, and goes to man the barricade as well. Before joining him, Saeros does a quick prowl around the room...and his keen elvish eyes spy a hairline crack. In one corner, he detects the outline of a hidden door, and with a bit of searching locates the trigger that will cause it to swing open.

The group waits tensely as the minutes drag on, but no goblins appear, and no noise but some muted mutterings comes from down the hall.

Actions?

[Bloodaxe]

Saeros Silversword

Searos looks carefully at the secret door, blade in hand.
It looks like they are waiting for us to attack and we are waiting for them. Each in a defended position. Perhaps we try this hidden door?
The Elf points at the door and waits for the group.

Saeros will go thru the secret door if thats what the group decides, once they are prepared.


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ooc- I say lets go thru the secret door. If we attack the Goblins defended position, it could go bad. Im not fond of charging into a hail of missiles. I'll lead the way thru the secret door,, I have infravision, maybe that will help. Thoughts?