Chapter 4 Scene 4 Exploring the Tower of Mikon

[trendel]

After the hobgoblin falls, Gizerak lowers his mace, his chest heaving from the exertion of the battle.

Qith a worried expression on his face, the halfling calls once again upon his deity for strength. As tiny flames dance across the wounds of the fallen elf, Gizerak beseeches the Duke of the Western Flame to aid his companion. He has lost too many companions already to have another fall.

Once the casting is done and there is no more he can do but wait for Kierna to rise, Gizerak takes out the last of his potions and hands it to Flaargj.

"Here, drink this. My favor with the four royals is nearly spent after this battle."

Weary and nearly out of spells, Gizerak begins to survey the area when he sees Fugen and an obviously wounded Termix as well. Striding to their side, he again lays hands on a companion and a small dust storm envelops Termix and washes away some of his hurts.

That done, he returns back to the others in the courtyard. He begins to tear strips of (relatively clean) cloth from the nearest body to begin binding the wounds of Fugen and Linus as well.

With a sigh that the group has survived, the halfling begins to look over the body of the cleric as Flaargj interrogates the hostage, taking extra notice of any items that may replenish his supply of healing magics.

OOC: Channel Resist Energy to Cure Moderate Wounds and cast on Kierna (2d8+3), Hand my last potion to Flaargj afterwards. Channel Magic Weapon and cast Cure Light wounds on Termix. Heal check on Fugen and Linus to bind their wounds and prevent more blood loss. Then search the cleric's body and help search the others.

Spells currently prepared:
0th: Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic, Resistance
1st: Bless, Divine Favor (cast), Magic Weapon (Domain: Burning Hands - cast)
2nd: Resist Energy(x2, cast once) (Domain: Produce Flame)

[Black Plauge]

Once the goblin is down, Fugen gives Termix a look of admonishment before heading back into the tower complex. Once inside he starts to sort through the bodies of the dead and dying. Those that are dead, he drags outside the walls. The ones who are still breathing, he strips of their weapons and armor before tying them up.

[OOC: Fugen isn't making any attempt to be gentle with those who are alive and stable. If his actions aggrivate their injuries and kill them he's not paying attention to that. However, he's not going out of his way to be rough in a way that is sure to kill them.]

[Mercutio]

Linus heads into the nearby tents and begins opening the chests, being very careful to inspect each one for traps beforehand.

[generaljimX]

Termix doesn't see Fugen's look of astonishment, being highly distracted. The goblin may be down, but its still alive. Termix raises his quarterstaff, holds it there for a second and brings it down again and agian into the body of his fallen foe. During his breif pause, he thinks to himself-
He wanted me dead. He got his chance, and failed. I'm going to make sure he doesn't get a second chance. Dirty little beast.
Termix has and keeps a look of absolute hatred in his eyes during each and every swing of his staff.

Termix has completely exhausted himself, and is very happy for the healings given him by his halfling friend. After catching his breath, he heads inside to assist Flarrgj in interrogating the surviving goblin. He makes no effort to hide the blood on his quarterstaff.

OOC: Try to assist in Flarrgj's intimidate after beating "my" goblin to a pulp, quite literally.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 4, Scene 4 Linus Opens the Chest

Flarrgj viciously backhands the goblin. It is knocked unconscious, and will not recover for hours.

Once Termix has pounded the goblin outside, he joins Flarrgj, but with the goblin thoroughly unconscious, there is nothing to be done at the moment.

Fugen drags the bodies of their opponents around, sorting the dead from the wounded. Only one goblin, one hobgoblin, and the bugbear are still alive, and all are unconscious (this does not include the goblin that Flarrgj has just knocked unconscious). He sorts through their gear and inventories it as follows:
4 more Zauchan clan medallions like the one found earlier- one on each of the hobgoblin corporals.
longsword x4
damaged studded leather x4
javelin x12
damaged leather armor
light wooden shield x5
morningstar
small Morningstar x12
small javelin x12
small damaged suits of leather armor x12
small damaged light shields x12

Gizerak is able to return Kierna to consciousness and fully heal Fugen. Termix improved substantially but is still wounded. Gizerak surveys the wounds of the group and determines their state. Termix is clearly the most wounded.

He searches the body of Zushath. The dead hobgoblin priest has his holy symbol (or perhaps unholy symbol would be more accurate), a potion, and a scroll.

Linus does not find any chests in any of the small tents. He looks in the only building that has a roof; the building from which the bugbear and hobgoblins came earlier. Sleeping mats for the hobgoblin corporals and the bugbear are arranged inside. Their playing cards still lie on a small table in the middle of the room.

Against the far wall he sees a stack of valuable items, including ten yards of silk and fifty pounds of bulk commodities such as salt, cinnamon, and saffron, neatly sorted in small bags.

Here there is a locked chest. He examines it carefully by himself with no assistance, and doesn’t find any traps. He is able to open the lock on the first try.

As Linus opens the chest, he sees that it is filled with at least thirty pounds of coinage, mostly silver. As soon as the chest opens, Linus feels ill. The room spins around him, and he feels flushed.



OOC
4,3:17 (1d20=9, 1d20=13, 1d20=2, 1d20=14, 1d20=8, 1d20=9, 1d20=12, 1d20=2, 1d20=7, 1d20=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=380704)
Flarrgj attacks goblin. +4 vs prone. Hits with 9+mods inc fatigue and bless. 3 pts of non-lethal damage vs goblin, already at zero hp.

Kierna is back to 10hp.

Fugen regains 6 hp.

Termix regains 6 hp.

Linus takes 20 on search check, but still barely misses search DC of glyph of warding (DC28). Opens lock with 13+mods. Misses fort save with 2+mods.

Gizerak heal check 14+mods. Enough to learn HP status of group.

Fugen is now unwounded.
Flarrgj has lost 22 HP (Note: was offered a healing potion but hasn’t indicated he will take it)
Gizerak has lost 5 HP
Kierna has lost 14 HP
Linus has lost 4 HP
Termix has lost 7 HP

EXPERIENCE:
Major victory over 12 goblins (CR 1/3 ea), 4 hobgoblins (CR ½ ea), a bugbear (CR2), and a 5th level hobgoblin cleric (CR5). Minor victory over one goblin (escaped) 33xp. 2600xp total /6 = 433 xp to each character.

[Andorax]

Coming back to consciousness groggily, Kierna tries to take in her surroundings once more. Looking up at Gizerak, Kierna simply says "thank you." Painfully, she regains her feet...still seriously wounded, but at least alive for now.

[generaljimX]

Termix is feeling quite better, but not perfect. His leg is begining to bug him where the gobling outside first struck him, but not enough to make him limp. He takes a nearby tent and wipes off his quarterstaff before putting it away. Termix then walks to the main courtyard area and looks at everyone. Kierna looks terrible, but is probably doing better than him. At least everyone's still here. Termix then moves to the doorway(or area) where Linus is. "You find anything useful?" he asks, followed quickly with,"hey, you don't look so good. You ok?"

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj snears at the collapsed goblin and accepts the potion with thanks, nocking it back quickly. He then looks around and begins to help everyone else with piling all the stuff together. He sugests to everyone that they orgonize everything, going to drag the chests out into the court yard when he see's Linus realing and frowns, leaving the treasure to try and help him, bringint outside to so the others can help, then returns to piling everything so that they are orgenized.

"I'm thinkink we should return to town, get better before going into tower. Give weapons and stuff ta halflings, sell stuff... How is Linus?"

[Black Plauge]

As he sorts through the dead and dying, removing the latter of anything that might allow them to fight back should they regain conciousness, Fugen discovers something that he had previously overlooked. These hobgoblins were wearing Zauchan clan medalions! But what would Zauchan clan members be doing here, in Zun Yan territory? And to have turned to raiding and banditry with goblins and a bugbear? What was going on here?

Intent on finding some answers, Fugen performs a more thurough search of the bodies of the hobgoblins and their gear, looking for some clues to this dillema. He also takes the time to seperate the living hobgoblin from the other prisoners so that he can be questioned in private when he regains conciousness.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 4, Scene 4:1 Bodies of the Goblinoids

Linus feels disoriented and hot. He feels an itch in his throat, but the cough comes out sounding like a barking laugh.

Flarrgj helps to bring the chests outside. Everyone can now see the coinage in the opened chest. Noone has touched this loot yet. The other chest is still unopened.

Fugen’s search yields no other clues on the bodies of the goblinoids.



OOC
Flarrgj recovers 8 hp from the potion.

Linus -4 wisdom.

[Mercutio]

"Help. Trap." Linus manages to gasp out.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj rushes to Linus and curses under his breath, reolizing his potion could have saved Linus here. He looks around, then picks Linus up like a child, carrieng him out into the court yard, yelling loudly;

"Linus hurt from trap in box!"

He sets him down so one of the others can try and tend to him.

[generaljimX]

I knew he didn't look good. At least Flarrgj has got him near the others. Not much I can do, if anything at all Termix thinks to himself. Better start thinking of our next course of action while their hands are tied. Hmmm....

[Black Plauge]

Not having gotten any answers from the hobgoblins' equipment, Fugen is left with little choice but to wait for their hobgoblin prisoner to awake.

The action doesn't stop, however, as it seems Linus stumbled onto a trap while opening a chest of goods. Concerned that his reaction might be the result of posion, and that the posion might still be dangerous to Linus, Fugen extracts a vial of what he's fairly certian is anti-toxin from his bags and hands it to Gizerak, signing to explain what he thinks it is.

[OOC: The anti-toxin is the vial that was retrieved off of Nagikara and his goons. Although we know what it is, Fugen's being cautious about it because we recovered it off an enemy and haven't have any one trusted confirm what it is.]

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 4, Scene 4:2 Help. Trap.

Linus is still able to walk, and is hardly helpless. He has a fever and he feels disoriented, but the effects appear to have reached a plateau for now.

[Black Plauge]

Not knowing anything about healing and posions, Fugen leaves Gizerak to it after handing over the anti-toxin vial and explaining what it is. He then goes back to his task of managing the dead.

Having dragged all the bodies outside the compound, Fugen starts to gather firewood to burn the corpses with. As he does so, two things occur to him. The first is that the mounts are still tied up outside the tower. The second is that while the hobgoblin was still breathing, he had sustained a fair bit of damage in the fight so it would probably be a good idea for Gizerak to look after him if they were going to question him.

The first thought is easily taken care of. Fugen simply heads over to where he tied up the animals earlier and leads them into the stable area of the tower where he ties them up to whatever remains of the stalls and hitching posts.

The second thought is some what harder to take care of, as it requires convincing the others to save the life of one of the enemies they just worked so hard to defeat. Still, if Fugen is going to get any answers its worth a shot.

Going over the Gizerak and Linus again, Fugen explains that he'd like to question the hobgoblin. The man is from the same province as Fugen, and he wants to know what he's doing here, so far outside of Zauchan province and under the command of a bugbear.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj, seeing linus stable, goes and gets the other chest, places it in the center, and, wary of Linus's injury, inspects it heavily, calling others to help him.

((Search the box, if linus didn't make it i doubt Flarrgj will, but perhaps if someone else makes and assist check...))

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 4, Scene 4:3 Missing Pony.

Bodies do not burn easily, and Fugen realizes that it will take a great deal of fuel to cremate the remains of so many goblinoids. His brief effort to gather firewood is not very successful. The thin forest on the mountain does not yield many dead branches.

When Fugen returns to the mounts, he sees that one of the ponies is missing.

Flarrgj examines the boxes carefully, but doesn't see anything unusual about them. The box opened by Linus appears to be filled with money, but no one has actually reached inside yet. The other box is still closed. The closed box has a lock. Whether it is locked or merely closed is unknown.

[trendel]

Not really excited about the prospect of keeping the creature alive, Gizerak agrees to use a minor healing prayer on the hobgoblin.

Looking over the vial that Fugen handed him, Gizerak attempts to ascertain it's contents before giving it to Linus.




Spells currently prepared:
0th: Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic (cast), Resistance
1st: Bless, Divine Favor (cast), Magic Weapon (cast) (Domain: Burning Hands - cast)
2nd: Resist Energy(x2, cast once) (Domain: Produce Flame)

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj, all atention on the box now seems ponders the problem. He wants to know whats inside, but seeing what happened to Linus he's not gunna open it, even if he doesent see anything. Then an idea strikes him, he grabs one of the goblins javalin's, and, stepping back, atempts to flip the lid open with it.

[generaljimX]

Termix is upset that the bugbear is being kept alive. He considers all gobliniods fithly devils, and would just like to see them all die. He of course realizes, though, that there must be some reason for keeping him alive, though he doesn't know what that reason is.

[crueldespot]

The hobgoblin regains some of his color, but remains unconscious.

Gizerak recognizes the symptoms that Linus is displaying. It is clear that he has a full-blown case of cackle fever, though there is no natural explanation for how it struck him so fast.

Gizerak is able to confirm that the vial contains anti-toxin, but since Linus is diseased rather than poisoned, the anti-toxin would not help.

Flarrgj uses the javelin as a lever to open the second chest, which is not locked. It opens normally. It appears to contain clothes and other personal possessions.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj frowns, but a small chuckle replaces it quickly as he quickly rifle's through it for anything important or worth something.

After making sure things are orgonized, he begins to look around the are for a cart or something to carry all the stuff back to town, he also looks south, around the tents, finding and carrieng back the third chest. He repeats the prosess of before, inspecting it then opening it with a javilin very carefuly, warning the others before he does so, and jumping out of the way so as to not be hit by traps so that may be there.

[Black Plauge]

Displeased by the loss of a mount, Fugen can't entirely say that they shouldn't have anticipated that eventuality. Fortunately it was only one of the ponies. One of the halflings would have to ride double for a bit, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

With the hobgoblin prisoner now on the mend, albeit at only a natural pace, Fugen returns to collecting firewood. It might take quite a bit of wood to burn the bodies, but the time spent collecting it would be worth it in the end if it meant they didn't have to deal with the stench of rotting bodies.

[Andorax]

Knowing that at this point, the most important matter is to recover their strength and prepare for what lies ahead, Kierna is content mearly to settle in and watch. Climbing lightly up to the wall, she keeps an eye outwards from the compound, just in case someone decides to pay them a visit.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 4, Scene 4:4 Encrusted

As Kierna stands guard and Fugen gathers wood, Exarzun searches the chests. The third chest seems to have pre-dated the fire, and fell through to the kitchen when the upper floor collapsed. This chest contains various spices and sauce bottles, all now ruined by the extreme heat of the fire.

The chest of clothing and gear does not hold any surprises.

While digging through the first chest full of money, Flarrgj sees that it includes some gold and platinum, so the total value is probably higher than he first estimated. As he rakes through it, he also comes across some bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry. Some of them are encrusted with gems. Others are encrusted with blood and hair.

Beneath the weight of coins and valuables, Flarrgj comes across a neatly folded sheet of parchment. All that Flarrgj can see is that it is covered with scribbles.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj frowns in interust at the paper. He was never one for literacy, all history was passed down by word where he came from, but he knows this is strange. He walks over to Fugen, tapping him on the back to get his atention.

"Found paper in chest of gold."

He hands the paper to Fugen, then bothers himself looking around for something that he can use as a cart to carry back all the stuff.

[Black Plauge]

Putting down the load of wood he's carrying on the pile with the rest, Fugen brushes his hands off and takes the paper that Flarrgj hands him. Carefully unfolding it, he attempts to figure out what it is.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 4, Scene 4:5 Encrypted

The note is composed of letters from the common script, but they do not spell anything that Fugen can understand. At the bottom a fancy design has been crimped into the paper.

As an experienced courier, Fugen has carried notes written in code before. He suspects that this letter has been encrypted.

OOC: decipher script: can't be used untrained.

[trendel]

Looking over Fugen's shoulder, Gizerak can't make much sense of the cryptic note either.

"Fugen. I have no skill in deciphering such odd characters, but perhaps one of the others, maybe Linus has had experience in this area."

Waiting to see if Linus can figure out what the note says, Gizerak stands looking around the courtyard for some sort of wagon or cart that could be used to haul things back to the town.

[Black Plauge]

Nodding his agreement to Gizerak's suggestion after puzzling over the incomprehensible note for several minutes, Fugen hands the paper over to Linus and resumes collecting firewood.

As he continues to collect it occurs to him that Kierna seemed to know quite a bit about the woods. Maybe she would know how to track down the goblin who escaped and the pony he stole. If he and she headed out to get him while the others made their way back to town, they could probably be back by the time that Linus had recovered from whatever it was that the chest had done to him.

Making his way back inside again, Fugen explains his ideas to the others through Gizerak.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj listens to Fugans plan and frowns, muddling over the plan. He says nothing at first but after thinking rumbles out;

"Shouldent waste things we found, i'm thinkink we bring back to town, that way give things to the people, and get healink for Linus, we return after this. I not seeing how goblin be problem, unless your wantink pony back..."

He finishes, seeming almost unsure of what he said himself, but steadfast in it's saying.

[Mercutio]

Linus takes the note and reads through it, hopefully being able to make sense of the writing.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 4, Scene 4:6 Deciphered

Linus considers the document briefly, then amazingly is able to decipher it just by looking at it on the first try.

"Khogak's Platoon is ordered to accompany the priest Zushath to seize the tower of Mikon From this base secure the pass from Merak Hoi Province to Huoyanshan Province to prevent any traffic carrying news either direction Any messages that are intercepted must be sent to HQ immediately Do not display banners or signs of allegiance The platoon will perform this mission until relieved by the main force during the attack on Huoyanshan from Merak Hoi Show these orders to any leader of our army who questions your mission"

and the seal says "Qa’id Aikou"

This recital is followed by a bought of hiccup-like laughter that is not at all amusing.

Meanwhile, the other heroes are not able to find any vehicle. The small cart that Termix remembers from the old days was reduced to ashes.

OOC
Wow! Natural 20. I thought for sure that Linus was going to have to take 20.
4,4:6 (1d20=20, 1d20=3, 1d20=12, 1d20=7, 1d20=2, 1d20=4, 1d20=3, 1d20=10, 1d20=16, 1d20=20) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=390137)

[Mercutio]

"So, um, should we get that goblin?"

OOC
Woot! Gotta love natural 20s!

[Black Plauge]

Fugen nods an immediate agreement after hearing Linus' reading of the note, and leads the way back towards the mounts. If that goblin made it back to the larger force that the note implied he was a part of, they would be dealing with a lot more than a few rogue elementals in this tower before long.

Swinging up into the saddle, Fugen offers a spot to the halfling's whose pony was stolen in front of him while Kierna examines the tracks to tell them which way to go.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj follows the others slightly confused. The whole situation was bad, he could tell that but, the others have a better graspe then himself. Still, it paines him to leave all that suplies, so he grabs as much of the platnum as he can comfortably carry before he sets off, moving the rest of the stuff into a neat stack in a corner.

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:7 Kierna, Fugen, and Linus Set Off

Picking the rare platinum pieces out of the pile of coins is slow work, particularly in the dim morning light. Flarrgj has only found 2 of them when he hears the hoofbeats of Fugen and Kierna's horses as they leave without him.

Kierna, Fugen, and Linus set off. Since the goblin is mounted, he could only follow the trail down to the highway, or possibly take the alternate route that the henchmen rejected earlier. Kierna confirms that the hoofprints lead down the main trail.



OOC
DC 15 (firm ground). Kierna rolls 16+mods to track.

Tracking speed? full speed= -5

4,4:7 (1d20=16, 1d20=7, 1d20=6, 1d20=17, 1d20=16, 1d20=2, 1d20=7, 1d20=14, 1d20=8, 1d20=12) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=392911)

Sorry, Exarzun. Fugen's OOC post said he was only planning on a 3 person search party. Flarrgj could probably catch up to them if he wanted to.

[trendel]

Seeing Flaargj hurrying to go with the others, Gizerak speaks up quickly.

"Flaargj! Don't go. Let's wait here for the others to return. Help me turn the balista again. Termix. Can you close the gate? Let's prepare ourselves for an attack. Once we're done, I'll head up above to watch for their return."

Once he's got the others working to get the compound defendable, Gizerak climbs a ladder to take a position atop the wall. Hopefully, he will be able to see Fugen, Kierna, and Linus as they approach.

OOC: going to get the balista rigged again to act as a trap on the door. then we need to work to bind the prisoners and prepare a defense incase the others aren't successful in catching the goblin.

[Black Plauge]

After Kierna confirms the direction the goblin took, Fugen signals for the others to keep an eye out for the goblin, but that they shouldn't stop moving until they reach the main path unless they spot the goblin. He then proceeds to push the horses down the path as fast as they can manage.

[OOC: Fugen is assuming that the goblin, having chosen the main path, stuck to it and thus Kierna doesn't need to check the tracks until they reach the highway (where the goblin once again has a choice of path). He's therefore pushing them to hustle down the trail. Thus Kierna has a -20 modifier to track while they are moving. If she loses them though, Fugen won't stop. However, they will stop completely at the highway to allow Kierna to find and check the tracks again. Of course, if they spot the goblin before then, then its just a matter of following him by sight.]

[generaljimX]

Termix does his best to close the doors. If he can't do it alone, he asks for Flarrgj's help. Termix also tries to re-rig the trap. Finally, he loads his crossbow, and prepares for trouble.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj stops finaly understanding. He helps the others with the ballista then goes back to sorting the gold.

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:8 The Horses Down The Path

Kierna and Fugen with Linus tear down the mountain path to the highway. They do not see the goblin, but with his considerable head start there is no way they could have caught up with him yet if he was still mounted on a pony.

Once they get down to the intersection, Kierna is unable to make out the pony's tracks. Then again, this is the site of their earlier battle with the first goblin squad and there are many tracks on the highway, which is a difficult surface for tracking anyway.



OOC:
Hard ground on the highway- DC20. Kierna rolls a 5+mods to track.

[Andorax]

"Brela-kesh" Kierna murmurs under her breath...sounding like it may well be an Elven curse of some sort. "I can't tell which way from here. Split up to pursue all courses?"

[Black Plauge]

Fugen considers for a moment, then nods to note his agreement. However, he quickly signs a bit to modify the idea, a veritable feat considering that Linus is seated in front of him and has to translate for Kierna.

He suggests that they continue the pursuit for no more than an hour and a half and then return to meet here at the base of the road to Mikon's tower. Only one of them was going to find the goblin and if they couldn't do it in under an hour, then it was likely that the other had done so. The last thing they wanted was for the one who was on the wild goose chase to end up looking forever.

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:9 Fugen and Linus find the pony

Riding fast, Fugen and Linus travel less than 15 minutes before they round a corner and find their lost pony. The pony is still saddled, but riderless. It is walking down the road heading north by itself.

This section of highway heads gently downhill, with a steep upward slope on the right and an even steeper slope, almost a cliff, downward to the left. Both slopes are lightly wooded, with trees about ten feet apart and very little underbrush. Ascending to the right would require one to climb on hands and knees. Climbing down to the left would be even trickier.



OOC:
Climbing up to the right: DC10
Climbing down to the left: DC15.

[Black Plauge]

Dismounting and drawing his sling, Fugen helps Linus down so that he can retrieve his pony's reins. In the mean time, Fugen carefully scans the hillside above and below the trail for signs of the goblin.

[crueldespot]

Fugen looks high and low, but sees no trace of the goblin.

[Mercutio]

Linus moves towards the pony quickly, but keeping an eye out for traps or goblins. He leads the pony back toward Fugen and the horse, one hand on the reins, one hand on his rapier.

[Black Plauge]

Signing, Fugen asks Linus if he sees any sign of the goblin.

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:10 Linus looks around

Linus looks around. He laughs as he does it, for no good reason. It is like the hysterics of someone in shock. He looks up. He looks down. He spins around. No goblin.



OOC
4,4:10 (1d20=20, 1d20=18, 1d20=9, 1d20=9, 1d20=19, 1d20=20, 1d20=19, 1d20=3, 1d20=3, 1d20=17, 1d20=8, 1d20=11, 1d20=1, 1d20=19, 1d20=13, 1d20=4, 1d20=4, 1d20=4, 1d20=10, 1d20=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=400138)

[Andorax]

Kierna continues to ride further down the road, clinging to the horse as best she is able and watching to either side, desperate for some sign of the fleeing creature. As she keeps glancing over at the rising sun, she begins to realize the truth.

"Fugen, Linus...I hope you've had success. I think I've chosen the wrong path."

Still, she presses onwards a bit longer rather than reign in and turn.

[Black Plauge]

With no sign of the goblin, Fugen and Linus have little choice but to return to meet up with Kierna. Neither of them have the necessary skill set to find and follow any tracks the goblin might have left when he abandoned the pony.

Taking it easy, Fugen leads the way back to the path to Mikon's Tower, keeping his eye's peeled for the goblin on the off chance that they passed him before catching the pony. Once they arrive at the path head, they settle down to wait for Kierna's return.

[Mercutio]

Linus attempts to stop giggling like a ninny and mounts the pony, following behind Fugen as they head back towards the Tower.

He fails at trying to regain composure. "No goblin here. Hee hee hee."

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:11 Rendezvous

Linus and Fugen return to the intersection, moving slowly so that Fugen can search for the goblin on either side of the road. Fugen feels very confident about the clarity of his vision, but there is no sign of the goblin. They rendezvous with Kierna back at the intersection.



OOC
4,4:11 (1d20=20, 1d20=20, 1d20=9, 1d20=12, 1d20=2, 1d20=20, 1d20=19, 1d20=7, 1d20=18, 1d20=17, 1d20=13, 1d20=8, 1d20=18, 1d20=18, 1d20=18, 1d20=3, 1d20=17, 1d20=13, 1d20=16, 1d20=19) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=400970)

[Black Plauge]

Since the presense of Linus' pony makes it obvious that they went the right way, Fugen gets right to the point and hands Kierna a note saying "No goblin," before they head back to the tower.

[crueldespot]

Without event the search party returns to the ruins. It is now midmorning.

[Black Plauge]

Bringing all the animals inside, Fugen secures them with the others and takes a moment to give them a good rub down. They'd been pushed hard that morning and it wouldn't due to have them fall sick as a result of that exertion.

Once that's done, he heads over to where the others have gathered and suggests that they start exploring the tower. The group should probably spend the night out here in the remains of the outbuildings, but they could always open the tower proper and get an idea of what they would be dealing with on the 'morrow.

[Mercutio]

Linus pats his pony and scolds it for running away with a goblin. After joining the rest of the party inside, he nods when Fugen suggests a short exploration of the tower and a good night's rest before they proceed. A smirk crosses his face, and then a scowl as he tries hard to chase away his strange delirium.

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:12 Curse of the Fire Lord

A search of the remaining outbuildings yields nothing of particular interest. From the goblins' tents they scrounge a few more coins to add to the pile and sundry camping gear, pots and pans, a few hand tools.

By this time, Flarrgj has finished counting the coin. The original chest of money, with the added few coins from the goblin tents together totals 412 gold pieces in value.

It appears that the hobgoblin cleric was billeted within the outer room of the main tower. It is swept clean, and a bedroll is piled in the corner. A search of his bag yields chalk, candles, beads, other small totems, spare clothes, and a scrollcase.

Bold chalk letters are written across the double inner doors in the Common and Goblin languages. It says "Curse of the Fire Lord on any who enters." Linus confirms that the goblin letters repeat the threat in that language.



OOC: For expediency, I assumed that everyone in the group took 20 to search the outbuildings and the open room of the main tower.
http://www.bzrserv.net/despot/Mikon.jpg

[Black Plauge]

Despite having suggested it, Fugen isn't exactly anxious to be the first to open the door into the heart of the tower. Looking at the others, he signs "Any volunteers?"

[generaljimX]

Though Termix doesn't know what Fugen signed, he guesses he's asking for volunteers due to the unsure look on his face. He makes a few quick gestures and speaks un-understandable words. He then "bits the bullet" and opens the door into the tower proper.

OOC: Cast resist energy(fire, obviously). Open the door.

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:13 A Very Ironically Numbered Installment

Termix opens the door. A terrible feeling strikes him immediately. It is as if reality itself were set against him.

Without a light source, his human eyes cannot see more than a few feet into the darkened tower.



OOC:
4,4:13 (1d20=9, 1d20=4, 1d20=20, 1d20=14, 1d20=19, 1d20=12, 1d20=11, 1d20=7, 1d20=20, 1d20=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=404518)

Termix fails a will save with 9+will mod vs DC. He is cursed. -4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks.

Termix Spellcraft check fails with 4+mods.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj, who is about to volentear to go first shudders at the fate that might have begraced him. He gently pushes Termix aside to let some light in and so he can go firist. He hesitates looking back to the others.

"Light? Perhaps we should not be waiting a little longer before entering this tower..."

[Black Plauge]

Seeing the need for some light, Fugen fetches his bull's eye lantern and shines it into the tower so that the party can look in without actually stepping inside yet.

[generaljimX]

Termix is only slightly surprised that something ACTUALLY happend. He hadn't taken the threat of the goblins seriously. However, his bravery is not shaken, and he continues in after Fugen fetches his lantern.

[trendel]

"Please take caution. Remember we are only taking a quick look. Sha-gaat's blessing will not flow freely again until I can pray and make penance."

Though Gizerak puts out this warning, he looses his shield and mace and sets himself behind Fugen as they enter the tower.

OOC: I meant to post the other day that I was going to grab the scroll case from the priests belongings. Unfortunately, it's been really busy at work.

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:14 The Main Hall

Mikon's tower had no windows. The old evoker thought they were a security risk. He used spells of continual flame for light. They are gone now, and so is everything else in the Main Hall. Not only the tapestries and wooden furniture are gone, but the fire seems to have weakened the mortar in the stone pillars, so that they collapsed, bringing down the central part of some of the higher levels of the tower. The light from the lantern reveals a pile of ash and rubble that is ankle-deep at the door, rising to waist-deep in the middle of the room. The burned smell of the place fills the air.


OOC:
No prob, Trendel. You've got the scrollcase.

I showed the whole map, since the group already knows the floorplan thanks to Termix.

http://www.bzrserv.net/despot/YiMtNow.jpg

[Black Plauge]

Nodding in agreement with Gizerak, Fugen steps inside only far enough so that he is not blocking the door. He then takes the time to scan the chamber with his bull's eye lantern, using its light to highlight what features that remain.


[OOC: Take 20 Spot check to see what can be seen from just inside the door.]

[generaljimX]

Termix is worried about the tower falling in while their in it. The place looks a lot worse than when he left, and he's afraid its just going to get worse. He waits for Fugen to finish is survey, and then waits for his plan.

[Mercutio]

Linus' strange cackle echoes through the open space and startles even him with the nefarious tone it takes on. He quickly stifles it and blushes. "I still think we oughta wait before moving forward."

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj moves in with the messenger onto the other side of the door, but nods his agreement with Linus.

"Place of magic could be very dangerous, should be at full strength..."

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:15 The Flutter of Wings

Fugen carefully scans the main hall for a couple of minutes, but sees no trace of movement or sign of any threat.

During that time, the sharp ears of Linus hear a faint noise from their left, through the door that leads downstairs.

This door stands open now, with only darkness beyond. In fact, the door seems to be stuck open, blocked from closing by the ash and rubble. The door was designed to be fireproof, but as Termix remembers it was no natural fire that spread from below. The fire elementals simply opened the door to escape and wreak havok through the rest of the complex. Now the door still stands open.

It sounds to Linus like the flutter of wings.

Termix recalls that Mikon kept a menagerie of fire creatures in the dungeon below. Is it possible that any of them are still alive? They couldn't be harmed by burning, after all. One cell of the dungeon held a pair of phoera, a type of birds. Another cell held fire toads. The fire toads could shoot flames out of their cell, so Termix remembers that it was always necessary to cast a spell of fire resistance before entering the dungeon to care for the animals.

[Mercutio]

"Guys, I heard what sounded like a bird through that doorframe. I still think we need to let Gizerak pray to Shagaat so that we don't head into the castle unprepared. Plus, I'm sure we could use the rest after that fight with the goblins."

[generaljimX]

Termix relays the information he knows to his companions, and agrees with Linus. "If anything IS alive down there, we want to be prepared. Lets rest, and come back tommorow." If no one disagrees, he ushers everyone out and closes the main door to the tower proper.

[Black Plauge]

As much as the caution of the others makes sense, Fugen is still curious about the contents of the tower. Besides, it was still early enough in the day that if they backed out now they'd be in for a long wait for tomorrow.

Still, Termix's comments about the menagerie in the basement give Fugen pause so he turns his lantern upwards and examines the upper floors, or at least what he can see of them from where he is.

That inspection complete, Fugen allows Termix to usher himself and the others out of the tower. He did, after all, have the most experience with what dangers might be here and now that they knew that whatever trouble they were going to encounter from within the tower was not immediately apparent, they could at least take precautions for the marrow.

Once outside, Fugen goes over to check on their captives, in particular the hobgoblin. Gizerak's earlier healing spell was enough to save the hobgoblin's life, but he'd still been unconcious when Fugen, Linus, and Kierna had headed out to retrieve Linus' pony. The others hadn't even recieved that basic level of treatment, greatly lowering their chance of survival. Not that Fugen necessarily felt bad about that. They were just goblins and a bugbear who had been harrassing passing merchants, but if they survived, they might be able to answer some questions that their orders hadn't.

[Exarzun]

As they rest Flarrgj acompanies Fugen to the prisoners. He stands, brooding and dark over them for a minute then turns to him, asking;

"What we going to do with prisoners?" His voice is tinged with contempt for them, and what he thinks they should do is quite obveus.

[Black Plauge]

Back outside, Kierna climbs up onto the wall that gives her the best view of the trail that leads up to the tower. Once there she takes out her bow and nocks an arrow as she settles in to keep watch during the course of the day.

Unable to climb the ladder up to the wall, her badger remains below, contenting itself with exploring the tower grounds, scratching in the dirt here and there looking for food.

***

Unable to respond directly to Flarrgj's question since the big man neither reads nor understands sign language, Fugen gestures for one of the halfings to come over and then asks him to explain to Flarrgj that dead men are not very good sources of information.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj nods, responding, talking unconciusly to the halfling who is translating, and not to the currier;

"If they were men. But you will be getting things from them forever. Ve have to do something vith them after your questioning."

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:16 The Wounded Goblin Recovers

Around noon the wounded goblin recovers from the blow Flarrgj inflicted with his fist. The goblin is covered in dried blood from his earlier wounds in the battle, and still looks barely capable of moving. He looks around curiously, surprised to still be alive.



OOC:
Goblin recovers nonlethal damage and returns to zero HP.

[Mercutio]

Once the goblin awakes, Linus approaches it, gesturing for Flarggj to join him. In goblin, Linus asks the questions Fugen and he had discussed earlier in the day while waiting for one to awaken.

"What do you know about the tower?"
"Why are you here in this tower?"
"Who sent you here?"
"Where did you come from?"
"What do you have to do with the Zauchan clan?

[generaljimX]

Termix can do nothing more than watch the interrogation unfold and rest. He does, however, play close attention to what is being said. Taking into account that its spoken in goblin, he doesn't ACTUALLY know what anyone says, but can interpret simple things from facial motions.

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:17 The Wounded Goblin Answers

The goblin seems very compliant. Given his clearly helpless position, he is not defiant. He tries to get onto Linus' good side. His answers seem genuine.

What do you know about the tower?

"I know we aren't supposed to go inside the main tower. Zushath said there were fire creatures loose in there. He also said that some powerful wizard types would be coming to look through the place, and they didn't want us messing anything up. Zushath said that this place used to belong to a fire wizard, but he got tricked into summoning a fire demon who burned the place up."

Why are you here in this tower?

"Our army sent us here on orders. We were supposed to occupy the tower and keep anyone from travelling through the pass up into Merak Hoi."

Who sent you here?

"We are in the army of Qai'd Aikou. We were recruited a couple of months ago. A messenger from the Aikou came to my clan fort looking for volunteers for a new battalion that was being formed on the Shajaraat border. We drilled for over a month before the invasion started."

Where did you come from?

"We came here from Merak Hoi. That's where our battalion is now. It was easy taking that province over, but they had to get it all sorted out before crossing the mountains into Huoyanshan. You're not from there, are you? It's a real nice place, Merak Hoi. It is better off in Lord Aikou's domain."

The population of Merak Hoi is predominantly halfling, so it is not surprising that the goblin might think Linus is from there.

What do you have to do with the Zauchan clan?

"the hobgoblins in our battalion are mostly from that clan. Their clan is allied with Lord Aikou, so it sent some of its warriors for our new battalion. Corporals are supposed to be hardasses, and hobgoblins are real hardasses. The Zauchan clan are proud to be the most hardass of all."

"I've got no grudge against you for the ambush. All is fair in war. We were just doing our job as soldiers. No need to make it personal."

The story of the goblin is curious. The destruction of the imperial palace occured less than a month ago. Previously, it had seemed that Lord Aikou begain his conquests in response to the confusion after the destruction of the palace. If the goblin was recruited two months ago, that would mean that his campaign was instead somehow preplanned.



OOC
4,4:17 (1d20=17, 1d20=5, 1d20=17, 1d20=1, 1d20=17, 1d20=2, 1d20=7, 1d20=20, 1d20=5, 1d20=19) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=409384)
Linus intimidate 17+mods, Flarrgj assist 5+mods. Linus sense motive 17+mods.

[Black Plauge]

Once Linus translates the goblin's answers, Fugen signs to him that he should get the goblin to elaborate on the time-line for when the "powerful wizards" were expected to inspect the tower and how far into Merak Hoi the goblin's battalion is stationed.

He's also interested in the news of Zauchan, but also a little disturbed by it. While technically it was no longer his home, and hadn't been since the day he took his oath of service with the Imperial Couriers, facts of law had little effect on sentiments of the heart. Especially sentiments from one's childhood. It had been quite some time since he'd been home to visit his family, but he didn't remember anything like this from that trip. Of course, his last visit had been before the fall of the emperor and this activity seemed to be treasonous. If what he was hearing was true, he'd have been the last one to know seeing as he was now an agent of the empire, family or not.

Signing again, Fugen asks Linus to ask the goblin about the alliance between Zauchan and Aikou.

[Mercutio]

Linus nods as Fugen passes on his questions and then turns to relay them to the goblin.

"When are those wizards supposed to arrive here? What is their purpose in coming here?"

"How far away is your army in Merak Hoi?"

"Tell me more about the alliance between Zauchan and Aikou."

[trendel]

After clearing the courtyard of debris from the battle, Gizerak finds himself a place that he can prepare to pray for his diety's favor when dusk arrives. In the midst of this activity though, he overhears the discussion with the goblins.

"Merak Hoi! What has happened to the small folk of that beautiful province? Though you may be just a soldier, I would find myself hard pressed to give mercy should I hear that my family is possibly endangered."

[generaljimX]

Termix listens intently to the translation Linus relays to everyone. The only thing that worries him is the mention of a powerful wizards coming here.

How close are they? They could get to us at any second, really.

At the mention of a "demon", Termix is utterly scared, and it shows.
Demon?! No......No. Master Mikon was too smart to be tricked....or.....was he?..........

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj stands tall and as intimidating as he can in the backround, but utterly silent. His face is a mask of emotionless silence, but he frowns at its final words.

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:18 More Answers

When are those wizards supposed to arrive here? What is their purpose in coming here?

"Beats me. We expected to be relieved already by now. We were starting to get worried. Our battalion was waiting for another unit from the main army to reinforce it before the invasion of this province. The main army must have run into some sort of delay in Fenzheng or Anmi."

"Zushath didn't say why the wizard or wizards or whoever was coming. He was just worried about leaving the tower locked up so 'nothing is disturbed' whatever that means."

How far away is your army in Merak Hoi?

"We occupied the capital, which is about ten miles from here."

Tell me more about the alliance between Zauchan and Aikou.

The goblin shrugs. "I don't know. But that's what they said- the corporals I mean. Zushath wasn't from that clan."

In response to Gizerak's question about Merak Hoi, the goblin smiles. "We didn't do too much damage. One good thing about conquering a halfling province is that the females are all goblin size! I mean that as a compliment. Your halfling girls are a good time. No wonder you are so jolly. And the halfling beer is good, too. I was mad that we had to leave and come here."

[Mercutio]

Linus, who doesn't get upset at much, decks the goblin as hard as he can when he hears of the goblins raping his halfling kin.

[crueldespot]

With a satisfying CRACK!, Linus knocks the goblin unconscious again.



OOC:
2hp nonlethal damage.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj furrows his brow, scoffs at nothing and general and looks to the others for what to do, then, after a second, to fugen.

"You have any other questions, will have to wait some more time."

[Black Plauge]

Fugen is shocked by Linus's violent reaction to what ever it is the goblin said, but when the gist of it is translated for him, he nods in understanding at the action.

Signing in response to Flarrgj's comment, Fugen indicates that he has no more questions for the goblin. He doesn't seem to know what Fugen is interested in anyway. Any further questions will have to wait for the hobgoblin corpral to revive.

[generaljimX]

Not knowing where these wizards are, or if they are even coming, Termix is wary of staying longer than nessecary. He does, however, see the need for him and Gizerak to rest; neither of them is very good without spells.

Lets just do what we have to, then get out of here......

[crueldespot]

Jiangu! Chapter 4, Scene 4:19 The Next Morning

The goblin eventually recovers consciousness, but stays quiet and still, seeking to avoid notice.

In the afternoon it begins to rain, and the rain continues through the night. They take refuge in the old workshop, where the goblinoid leaders were billeted. It leaks in only a few places which they are able to avoid. This is the first night they have spent “roughing it” on this quest, but they have a dry shelter and the weather is warm, so they are able to sleep comfortably.

Gizerak exhausts the last of his daily prayers to heal Flarrgj and Kierna. This healing and a good night’s sleep allow the heroes to awake refreshed the next morning. The long rain has washed away the bloodstains of the previous day’s battle. The sky is clear, and the stones of the courtyard are already starting to dry.



OOC
Current HP status
Fugen =16
Flarrgj =31/35
Gizerak =14/16
Kierna =19/24
Linus =7/9
Termix =10/14

[Exarzun]

For the rest of the night Flarrgj is quiet, though that is nothing new, but he is slightly more brooding then usual. However, he seems back to normal by the next morning. He sleeps throuogh the night with no aperant trouble, not bothered by the days work.

[crueldespot]

Thus concludes scene 4. The story continues in scene 5, HERE (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5969)