Chapter 1: Journey through the Jotens

[Rex]

Qleceec

"I have no issue continuing on, but would expect the Hobgoblins to organize an assault on us in retaliation if they think they have the numbers."

[gurusql]

Siouxsie
Is my charmed one still around?

He was killed

[Storm11]

Hex and his henchmen feel like a quick scout to the lair of the ambushers would be prudent. If there are more of them and they follow us along the trail, and wait to attack us when we are engaged with something more sinister, it could go ill for us.

[Rex]

Qleceec

"A good point. I agree with Hex."

[shaidar]

Garrant

"As do I"

[cybersavant]

it appears that while most of the tracks have been washed away, that up to eight hobgoblins carried the weapon from somewhere to the northeast of its current position.

so, it's not on wheels?

Nah Olos examines the crashed wagon to see if they can salvage enough to load the ballista on to transport it.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

You know I had one charmed and several disarmed. We could just have talked with them to find out what we need.

[redwarrior]

Siouxsie

You know I had one charmed and several disarmed. We could just have talked with them to find out what we need.

Frannie We've a couple here. If nothing else, they can tell us if they have kith or kin nearby, and a bit about the area. If they set an ambush here, they must know it passing well. I can't imagine even hobs would be stupid enough to prolong their interrogation longer than they needed to! And maybe, if they have done this trick before, they may have some loot stashed nearby.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Will go to the two live ones.

"Look, I don't favour you being murder hobo' or us. We are trekking to escape the dragon known as Preb.

Tell us about your tribe, numbers, contact with these Sheltke creatures. It may help us and it will help me advocate for saving your lives "

She speaks hobgoblin, and smiles nicely.

Siouxsie: using Charisma in Reactions +15%, Comeliness bonus +16% [1d100]=25

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Post-Hobgoblin Combat
Waterday, 12th day of Planting, 597
7th day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 37/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 38/65, Armor 25/26)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 20/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2 [1], HP 32/48)
Garrant (AC 8 [0/1/2], HP 31/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 22/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8)
Boff (AC 5, HP 32/61)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 12/26)

The group has some discussion about not wanting to leave another enemy at their flank. Hex proposes a scout of the Hobgoblin lair, which is quickly agreed to by Qleceec and Garrant.

Nah Olos is surprised that ballista is not on wheels and examines the so called crashed wagon. He finds that in truth it pieces of multiple wagons that have been constructed to look like a crashed wagon from both sides. There are two separate pieces and each piece has only two wagon wheels. With some woodworking skill, tools and time you potentially try to make a very awkward wheelbarrow but you might have to hitch up a few characters to make it work. (since it has the weight of half a wagon).

Frannie removes the large sack from one of the formerly held hobgoblins and Siouxsie tries to make nice saying "Look, I don't favour you being murder hobo' or us. We are trekking to escape the dragon known as Preb. Tell us about your tribe, numbers, contact with these Sheltke creatures. It may help us and it will help me advocate for saving your lives."

"What kindness and intel do you expect to get from a prisoner elf. The Red Chimera are a force to be feared in this area. Perhaps if you let us go we can advocate on your behalf and we could convince our chief to not rain revenge on you and group." And with that a pause and smile. "The revenge force will be punishing and relentless and at least 200 strong. The Red Chimera are afraid of no one and that including your made up dragon and whatever a Sheltke is. I will say no more - let us go or you will face the consequences."

Actions?

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

"ffs. I can't be bothered they are twenty or two hundred. Do with him want you want. The cleric can cast 'Speak with the Dead' upon his lopped off head and compel his spirit to speak the truth."

If they have not met the dragon or have any knowledge of Sheltke, then they have no common enemy between us and no motivation to join us. I see no benefit in scouting them out. Leave them be.

[Rex]

Qleceec

"As I said before, they are Hobgoblins, they will come for us if they think they have the numbers. All freeing these will do is provide them with more accurate info on who they face."

[ravenn4544]

Androgost declares, "It's not murder, it's justice. Look no farther then the torn and broken dead girl right there - they have already sealed their fate."

[Storm11]

Hex will fly down to the floor where the others are holding their captives.

Can you understand me?he asks the captors in goblin, looking to see how many are still alive.

Raffi will rifle through the dead hobgoblin’s possessions to see if it holds anything interesting before making his way back down to the others, perhaps setting fire to the web as he goes.

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Post-Hobgoblin Combat
Waterday, 12th day of Planting, 597
7th day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 37/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 38/65, Armor 25/26)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 20/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2 [1], HP 32/48)
Garrant (AC 8 [0/1/2], HP 31/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 22/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8)
Boff (AC 5, HP 32/61)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 12/26)

The Androgost and Qleceec suggest killing the two hostages. Siouxsie suggests moving on. Qleceec says "...they will come for us if they think they have the numbers."

Hex tries to talk to the Hobgoblin in Goblin and says "Can you understand me?" to which the one unmasked one grunts positively.

Raffi spend some time running through the dead Hobgoblins pockets on the cliff that his master killed. The Hobgoblin has 4 GP and 13 CP.

What is next for the group?

[Storm11]

Hex asks the others to stand clear and casts hypnotism on the secured hobgoblins.

He will suggest they answer his questions with complete honesty “you will answer any question I ask with complete honestly” ask the following questions :

“How many of you are really in your tribe?”

“Where is your tribe’s lair?”

“Where are they currently?”

“Are they likely to follow us is we leave?”

“Do you know why the earthquakes are happening?”

[Rex]

Qleceec

Once Hex starts asking questions Qleceec wanders back over and listens intently.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos is surprised that ballista is not on wheels and examines the so called crashed wagon. He finds that in truth it pieces of multiple wagons that have been constructed to look like a crashed wagon from both sides. There are two separate pieces and each piece has only two wagon wheels. With some woodworking skill, tools and time you potentially try to make a very awkward wheelbarrow but you might have to hitch up a few characters to make it work. (since it has the weight of half a wagon).

Nah Olos

While the others are interrogating the captives, he will try to rig up something for the ballista so he can pull it.

rope use 17, tumbling 17, set snares 16, survival 14

[shaidar]

Garrant watches Hex interrogate the hobgoblins.

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Post-Hobgoblin Combat
Waterday, 12th day of Planting, 597
7th day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 37/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 38/65, Armor 25/26)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 20/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2 [1], HP 32/48)
Garrant (AC 8 [0/1/2], HP 31/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 22/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8)
Boff (AC 5, HP 32/61)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 12/26)

Hex comes over and has Frannie remove the hood off the second Hobgoblin so that his plan even has a chance of success. Several others come over to listen to the answers. Hex gets the following question answer pairs

• “How many of you are really in your tribe?” - "Over Two hundred, including the younglings."
• “Where is your tribe’s lair?” - "Not far to the north"
• “Where are they currently?” - "Mostly in the fort."
• “Are they likely to follow us is we leave?” - "That would be up to the chief, but I wouldn't think so."
• “Do you know why the earthquakes are happening?” - "Our Shamans say it is the will of Maglubiyet."

While the others are engaged, Nah Olos tries to turn over the approximately 1500 lb half a wagon so that he can use it as a wheelbarrow to carry a 400 lb ballista. In the rain with by himself he tries to hook up a rope lever system to get the wagon off its side, but trying to apply that much pressure in one place the wagon grip rips causing Nah Olos to almost fall into the mud, but he rolls out of it.

Raffi is about to try and light the web on fire when an arrow with blue smoke fires over the webbing and he sees it clear the party and land in the area previously affected by the Entangle spell. Several other members of the group see it as well.

The hobgoblins see it as well and smile, "Reinforcements could be coming now."

Rolls

[_1d6]=(3)=3[_2d20]=(11+8)=19