Mairrethid, level 2

Mairrethid, level 2

Human, Wizard

Arcane Implement Mastery: Staff of Defense

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 11, Dex 8, Int 20, Wis 14, Cha 10.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 11, Dex 8, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha 10.

AC: 17 Fort: 12 Reflex: 17 Will: 16

HP: 25 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 6

TRAINED SKILLS

Insight +8, Arcana +11, History +11, Diplomacy +6, Dungeoneering +8

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Acrobatics, Bluff +1, Endurance +1, Heal +3, Intimidate +1, Nature +3, Perception +3, Religion +6, Stealth, Streetwise +1, Thievery, Athletics +1

FEATS

Wizard: Ritual Caster

Human: Linguist

Level 1: Action Surge

Level 2: Implement Expertise (staff)

POWERS

Wizard at-will 1: Scorching Burst

Wizard at-will 1: Magic Missile

Bonus At-Will Power: Thunderwave

Wizard daily 1: Flaming Sphere

Wizard daily 1 Spellbook: Sleep

Wizard encounter 1: Force Orb

Wizard utility 2: Shield

Wizard utility 2 Spellbook: Arcane Insight

ITEMS

Spellbook, Cloth Armor (Basic Clothing), Quarterstaff, Dagger, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Candle (10), Flask (empty) (5), Flint and Steel, Hammer, Lantern, Oil (1 pint) (5), Pitons (10), Pouch, Belt (empty) (4), Rations, Trail, Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Tent, Waterskin

RITUALS

Comprehend Language, Tenser's Floating Disk, Make Whole

Schlobrock, level 2

Orc, Cleric

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 20, Con 13, Dex 10, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 18, Con 11, Dex 10, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.

AC: 17 Fort: 16 Reflex: 11 Will: 15

HP: 30 Surges: 8 Surge Value: 7

TRAINED SKILLS

Religion +6, Arcana +6, Insight +8, Heal +8, Nature +8

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Acrobatics, Bluff, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering +3, Endurance +1, History +1, Intimidate, Perception +3, Stealth, Streetwise, Thievery, Athletics +5

FEATS

Level 1: Warrior of the Wild

Level 2: Expert Tracker

POWERS

Cleric at-will 1: Righteous Brand

Cleric at-will 1: Lance of Faith

Cleric daily 1: Avenging Flame

Cleric encounter 1: Wrathful Thunder

Cleric utility 2: Shield of Faith

ITEMS

Ritual Book, Chainmail, Morningstar, Javelin (5), Dagger, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Pouch, Belt (empty) (2), Rations, Trail, Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Torch (10), Waterskin, Flask (empty) (3), Vicious Spear +1

RITUALS

Gentle Repose, Animal Messenger

Mez Gobbo, level 2

Goblin, Rogue

Rogue Tactics: Artful Dodger

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 8, Con 11, Dex 20, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 8, Con 11, Dex 18, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14.

AC: 19 Fort: 11 Reflex: 20 Will: 14

HP: 28 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 7

TRAINED SKILLS

Stealth +13, Thievery +13, Perception +6, Streetwise +9, Acrobatics +11, Bluff +9

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Arcana +1, Diplomacy +4, Dungeoneering +1, Endurance +1, Heal +1, History +1, Insight +1, Intimidate +4, Nature +1, Religion +1, Athletics

FEATS

Level 1: Two-Weapon Fighting

Level 2: Two-Weapon Defense

POWERS

Rogue at-will 1: Sly Flourish

Rogue at-will 1: Deft Strike

Rogue daily 1: Easy Target

Rogue encounter 1: Positioning Strike

Rogue utility 2: Tumble

ITEMS

Leather Armor, Dagger (4), Hand Crossbow, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Candle (5), Flask (empty) (3), Flint and Steel, Grappling Hook, Rations, Trail, Rope, Silk (50 ft.), Thieves' Tools, Waterskin, Duelist's Short sword +1

Gherota, level 2

Human, Fighter

Fighter Talents: One-handed Weapon Talent

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 20, Con 11, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 8.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 18, Con 11, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 8.

AC: 20 Fort: 19 Reflex: 16 Will: 12

HP: 32 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 8

TRAINED SKILLS

Intimidate +5, Heal +6, Athletics +9, Endurance +4

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Acrobatics +1, Arcana +1, Bluff, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering +1, History +1, Insight +1, Nature +1, Perception +1, Religion +1, Stealth +1, Streetwise, Thievery +1

FEATS

Human: Action Surge

Level 1: Weapon Focus (Heavy Blade)

Level 2: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade)

POWERS

Fighter at-will 1: Cleave

Fighter at-will 1: Reaping Strike

Bonus At-Will Power: Tide of Iron

Fighter daily 1: Villain's Menace

Fighter encounter 1: Spinning Sweep

Fighter utility 2: Pass Forward

ITEMS

Scale Armor, Heavy Shield, Longsword, Throwing hammer, Sling, Sling Bullets (40), Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Pouch, Belt (empty), Rations, Trail, Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Torch (10), Waterskin, Bracers of Mighty Striking (heroic tier)

Gurnlocke Fisk, level 2

Dwarf, Warlock

Eldritch Blast: Eldritch Blast Constitution

Eldritch Pact: Infernal Pact

FINAL ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 20, Dex 8, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 10.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES

Str 10, Con 18, Dex 8, Int 14, Wis 11, Cha 10.

AC: 15 Fort: 16 Reflex: 14 Will: 13

HP: 37 Surges: 13 Surge Value: 9

TRAINED SKILLS

Insight +7, Religion +8, Arcana +8, History +8

UNTRAINED SKILLS

Acrobatics, Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Dungeoneering +4, Endurance +8, Heal +2, Intimidate +1, Nature +2, Perception +2, Stealth, Streetwise +1, Thievery, Athletics +1

FEATS

Level 1: Improved Dark One's Blessing

Level 2: Durable

POWERS

Warlock daily 1: Flames of Phlegethos

Warlock encounter 1: Vampiric Embrace

Warlock utility 2: Fiendish Resilience

ITEMS

Leather Armor, Dagger, Warhammer, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Lantern, Oil (1 pint) (10), Rations, Trail, Waterskin

Fight Notes

So, I almost didn't get a post up this week, after a wasted weekend and then meetings out of town mid-week. But it was important for me to get something up, and I'm feeling very satisfied that I did.

And I even ran a combat simulation to inform the writing!

Some notes: I used the same d20 to roll for all characters and "monsters," and I was rolling really high. I'm not sure this had a huge impact, given the way the fight went--most of the attacks would have hit even if I wasn't rolling 17s all the time.

Still, I was surprised, again, by this two-round knockout. The baddies added up to 1150xp, which is above my target of 1050xp for a hard encounter for a second level party. I figured it would be okay to add that seventh ninja, because the characters had a tactical advantage. I think I needed to fully double the number of monsters before it would have forced the characters in this party to break a sweat--one, so there would be enough guys to survive the first round, and two, so they could keep the party pinned with ready actions as they try to bust through a wall to facilitate a pincher-maneuver.

My friend Rich has learned with his group to massively overwhelm his players with level-approriate monsters. 4th ed is so generous to players, I think he's right.

Anyway, my fight notes:

         A.        Crew:

                 1.       Elf Rogue: Lurker 4, Rogue

                        a.        Loot: Amulet of Health +1 (L3), 2 potions of healing (actually 1, cuz drank 1 in combat), gold ring set with pearl (250gp), 20gp.

                        b.        Xp: 350

                 2.       Elf Archer: Artillery 4

                        a.        Loot: Bracers of the Perfect Shot (L3), 2 potions, 20gp.

                        b.        Xp: 175

                 3.       Elf Ninjas: 5 Skirmisher 2s

                        a.        Loot: healing potion, 20gp.

                        b.        Xp: 125 each

         B.        FIGHT!

                 1.       Round 1: (initiative determined by circumstances)

                        a.        Previously, all players set up with ready actions as follows:

                                    i       Mairrethid: Force Burst on whoever opens the door.

                               ii       Mez: Sly Flourish (dagger) on closest enemy he can see.

                          iii       Fisk: Vampiric Embrace on closest enemy he can see.

                               iv       Schlobrock: Righteous-brand on first enemy in melee range; if successful, attack bonus goes to Gherota.

                                    v       Gherota: Reaping Strike at first target in melee range

                        b.        N2: Opens Door, interrupted by readied actions.

                                    i       Mairrethid: Force Orb against N2 hits (attack 24 vs Ref 16, damage 18, N2 hp 14 bloodied). Secondary attacks against N1 hits (attack 24 vs Ref 16, damage 12, N1 hp 20), ER hits (attack crit, damage 15, ER hp 28), EA hits (attack 22 vs Ref 18, damage 12, EA hp 26), N5 hits (attack 22 vs Ref 16 damage 12, N1 hp 20), N3 hits (attack 18 vs Ref 16 damage 12, N1 hp 20). 71 hp of damage, total, to 6 targets.

                               ii       Fisk: Curse on N2; Vampiric Embrace against N2 (attack 15 vs Will 14, damage 18 +5 curse, Fisk thp 9, EA hp -7 dying).

                          iii       Mez: Sly Flourish against ER (attack 27 vs Ac 18, damage 12, ER hp 26).

                        c.        EA: Longbow against Gherota hits (attack 23 vs Ac 20, damage 10, G hp 22).

                        d.        ER: Deft Strike against Gherota--move interrupted by readied actions of Schlobrock (attack 26 vs Ac 20, damage 11, ER hp 15 bloodied) and Gherota (attack crit, damage 14, ER hp 1 bloodied)--continued (attack 22 vs Ac 20, damage 12, Ma hp 10 bloodied); move action shifts back out of room; drink healing potion (heal 10, ER hp 11 bloodied).

                        e.        N1: Chain and Sickle against Gherota hits (chain 24 vs Ac 20, damage 4 & grabbed, G hp 6 bloodied; sickle 13 vs Ac 20, miss).

                        f.        N2: dying.

                        g.        N3: Move into room, movement interrupted by opportunity attacks--Gherota miss (attack fail), Schlob hits (attack 19 vs Ac 16, damage 10, N3 hp 10 bloodied), Mez miss (attack 15 vs Ac 16)--then Chain and Sickle against Gherota (chain 26 vs Ac 20, damage 5, G hp 1 bloodied; sickle 25 vs Ac 20, damage 7, G hp -6 unconscious).

                        h.        N4: Move into room, Chain and Sickle against Mez (chain 12 vs Ac 19, miss; sickle 24 vs 19, damage 4, Mz hp 24).

                        i.        N5: Move forward, Sickle against Schlob miss (attack 15 vs Ac 17 +cover).

                 2.       Round 2

                        a.        Mairrethid: Flaming Sphere in ER’s square, misses ER (attack 10 vs Ref 18). Action Point Scorching Burst in ER’s square (ER: attack 26 vs Ref 18, damage 7, ER hp 4 bloodied) (EA: attack 23 vs Ref 16, damage 7, EA hp 19 bloodied) (N1: attack 21 vs Ref 16, damage 7, N1 hp 13 bloodied) (N3: attack 26 vs Ref 16 +cover, damage 7, N3 hp 3 bloodied) (N4: attack 26 vs Ref 16 +cover, miss) (N5: attack 17 vs Ref 16, damage 7, N5 hp 13 bloodied).

                        b.        Fisk: Delays action.

                        c.        Gherota: makes Death Save (roll 10), delays turn.

                        d.        Schlobrock: Healing Word on Gherota (heal 8+5, G hp 7), Righteous Brand vs N1 (attack 17 vs Ac 16, damage 14 and attack bonus given to Mez vs N1, N1 hp 6 bloodied).

                        e.        Gherota: Cleave against N4 (attack 17 vs Ac 16, damage 12 and cleave 5 to N3, N3 hp -2 dying, N4 hp 8 bloodied).

                        f.        Mez: Sly Flourish vs N1 (attack 23 +5 brand vs Ac 16, damage 15, N1 hp -9 dying).

                        g.        Fisk: Warlock’s Curse on ER, Flames of Phlegartharos against ER (attack crit, 35 damage, F thp 11, ER hp -29 dead).

                        h.        Morale checks, triggered by losing 50% of force and by leader’s collapse. This is an old school Wisdom check (roll Wisdom score or less to pass check), with success resulting in retreat (because these characters aren’t fantatics and they will lose). Factors: +2 bloodied, +2 leader down. Rolls: EA succeeds (roll 23 vs Wis 15), E4 fails (roll 13 vs Wis 15), E5 fails (roll 16 vs Wis 15). Yes, I am house-ruling, and yes, I'm still experimenting with it. All modifiers are ad hoc circumstance bonuses that just happen to make sense. Players can always argue for or against these.

                        i.        EA: Burned by Flaming Sphere (damage 5, EA hp 14 bloodied). Double move, running, to get 18 squares, clear out of the bathhouse and off the map.

                        j.        N4: Burned by Flaming Sphere (damage 5, N4 hp 3 bloodied). Chain and Sickle against Gherota (chain 10 vs Ac 20, miss; sickle 24 vs Ac 20, damage 6, G hp 5).

                        k.        N5: Burned by Flaming Sphere (damage 5, N5 hp 8 bloodied). Double move, running, to get 18 squares, clear out of the bathhouse and off the map.

                 3.       Round 3:

                        a.        Mairrethid: Cancels Flaming Sphere, Readies Magic Missile in case N4 moves or attacks.

                        b.        Schlobrock: Healing word on Gherota (heal 14, G hp 19), Moves to block N4’s exit, Readies Righteous Brand in case N4 moves or attacks.

                        c.        Gherota: Intimidate check against N4 to force surrender (check 17 vs Will 14, success; note that no bonus for N4 being Unfriendly or Hostile because N4 is a disinterested mercenary, also not a psycho with a death wish, also offended that his surviving allies ditched him).

                 4.       Note: None of the wounded (N1, N2 and N3) could have failed three death saves in this time, so I don’t need to roll them. Schlob and Gherota apply first aid, with Healing checks:

                        a.        Gherota stabilizes N1 (roll 15 vs DC 15)

                        b.        Schlobrock stabilizes N2 (roll 25)

                        c.        Gherota stabilizes N3 (crit)

Chapter 11

Steam Room Defenders:

Gherota, Human Fighter, Level 1. First and foremost a front-line swordswoman, and quite skilled. Irritated by Fisk's violent, exploitative worldview.

Gurnlocke Fisk, Dwarf Warlock, Level 1. A bitter spell-slinger with powers touched by brimstone. An advocate for Machiavellian methods and strategies.

Mairrethid, Human Wizard, Level 1. Student of mechanical magic and military theory, a war mage. Both moderate rationalist and mediator.

Mez Gobbo, Goblin Rogue, Level 1. Lockpick and shadow-skulking cut-throat. Motivated by enlightened self-interest, a mercenary.

Schlobrock, Ork Cleric, Level 1. Nature-worshipping shaman and medicine woman, with a huge axe. Has trouble pronouncing the letters F, S, T and V.

First Ch 01: Poot's Angels
Previous Chapter 10

 

The steam room door burst open.

Mairrethid already had his staff aimed at the doorway, and unleashed a blast of kinetic force against the elf standing in front of it.

The blast of force packed into the elf, doubling him over with a half-dozen cracked ribs. The kinetic charge radiated out, smashing into all five of the elves standing around him. Among them, there were five carrying sickles attached to a length of weighted chain--among them both the one originally hit and another standing outside of the blast radius. Another had a longbow, and a third carried a long dagger and hung back a bit from the others.

Fisk followed up with his own attack, first breathing an empowered curse and then latching onto the elf in the doorway with his own ectoplasmic tendrils to form an energy-sucking conduit. The elf twitched like a marionette and then collapsed, dying. Fisk relished the surge in his own power as the elf passed into unconsciousness.

Mez was quick with a dagger from his off-hand, tossing it against the elf with the long dagger, easily recognizing the enemies’ leader. He hit, with a solid strike.

Seven elves where in the hall, and one of them was down. They arrayed against Fisk and his allies, who were pressed into the back two-thirds of a fifteen-foot square steam room. This created a five-foot space that the elves had to cross to close with their enemy, maneuvering in through a doorway. Schlobrock and Mez flanked Gherota with weapons ready, while Gherota stood ready to take the best the elves’ had to offer on her armor and her shield. Mairrethid and Fisk stood behind them, hurling magic between their allies’ imposing presence.

The elf archer was ready, and he returned fire, slipping an arrow in around Gherota’s shield.

The elf with the long dagger darted in to follow up with his own deft knifework.

Schlobrock and Gherota were waiting for him with ready attacks, however. Schlobrock’s spear caught him first, charged with radiant light that poured through the gaping wound and lit him up like a flare for Gherota’s follow-up. Gherota gently turned into the elf, presenting her back for just a moment less than it took for the elf to land a blow, twirling quickly and following through with her sword. The result ripped through the elf’s throat, inches away from a perfect decapitation.

The elf continued to move forward, nearly collapsing against Gherota’s shield and stabbing around it--almost on instinct--before rebounding back into the hallway, fumbling a healing potion out of his pocket and downing it in a single gulp. His throat mended itself, more or less.

Another elf stepped over his fallen comrade and laid into Gherota, lashing at him with the chain first, and then the sickle. The chain did a little damage, and managed to tangle Gherota’s feet, while she easily deflected the more conventional attack from the sickle.

Another of the chain and sickle elves moved into the room, but he had to squeeze past his ally. In doing so, he drew attacks from the entire front line. Schlobrock skewered him pretty well, while the other two missed. The elf relished his opportunity--still breathing if badly wounded--to bring weapons to bear against Gherota, follow the double-attack pattern. Both ends of her chain and sickle hit, overcoming Gherota’s resolve and dropping her to the floor, dying.

Another elf squeezed into the room, using the distraction of his ally to avoid drawing any attacks against himself. He swiped at Mez with his chain, but the goblin easily dodged. He came around with his sickle, however, and managed to knick him.

The last elf to act used the full length of his chain to attack Schlobrock, through the doorway and past his allies. The attacked narrowly missed.

Three elves, all wounded, now faced the steam room defenders holding sophisticated chain and sickle weapons. Three of their allies where close at hand in the hallway outside, with the long dagger-wielding leader in the door, another chain and sickle elf and his side, and an archer behind him.

In the steam room, the defenders formed two ranks. The front was anchored by Gherota, who was unconscious due to her wounds. However, she was flanked on either side by Schlobrock and Mez, and backed up by the healing skills and magicks of her allies. The second rank include two magi, Mairrethid and Fisk, who continued to rain death upon their enemies from a distance.

Mairrethid had another spell ready, and conjured a large ball of concentrated heat right on top of the elf long dagger. He used the ball to lunge at his enemy, but the elf managed to dodge. However, the ball continued to bath everyone around it in scorching heat--with potentially lethal consequences.

“My spell will wear them down, so just hurt them bad, and that heat will finish them off,” Mairrethid said.

Fisk had his own spells ready to cast, but was waiting for a clear shot at the long dagger. He held steady and waited for the front line to clear out his enemies and prepare a clean shot.

Gherota held on to life, and somewhere behind her conscious mind, she knew that Schlobrock’s magic would return her to the battlefield, and with that second chance she’d answer for her hurt.

Schlobrock obliged, passing her holy words over Gherota while she plunging her spear into the healthier looking of the two elves in from of her. She struck, passing her glowing, guiding holy magic into the elf along with a nasty stab. This elf happened to be the one in the middle, who hadn’t made herself vulnerable to attack because he was the first to close with Gherota. That meant Mez could attack her target, and because Schlobrock was more confident in Gherota’s sword play, she passed the advantage of her fighting magicks on to Mez.

Gherota soaked in the magical healing energy of Schlobrock’s words, her wounds closing almost instantaneously. She stood, defiantly raising a sword that had never left her hand. With one stab, she passed her sword into the elf standing in front of Mez. He grunted painfully but defiantly as Gherota’s steel ran afoul of several vital-yet-not-immediately-fatal organs. Then she ripped it out, spinning the sword over the head of the middle elf and catching the third off-guard. The blade to the head was enough to take this third elf off his feat and lay him low.

Meanwhile, Mez used the distraction and drew his short sword through the still-glowing middle-elf’s chest with a cunning, disarming lack of interest. The elf fell to the ground, dying.

Fisk took advantage of all enemies between him and the long dagger elf being dropped to the floor--just as he had expected--and dropped his spell, summoning a wave of flames out of the ether and engulfing his target in a raging conflagration. The elf was dead before he hit the floor, and then continued burning.

“We were going to leave some alive for questioning,” Mairrethid hissed at Fisk.

“This dwarf goes to eleven,” Fisk said, clearly pleased with himself.

Gherota was back on her feet, and the rest of the steam room defenders were unharmed, except for Mez who had suffered a scratch. They maintained their starting posture, while their enemies were crippled and scattered.

The elves’ leader, with the long dagger, was dead and on fire. Three of the five who brought chains and sickles were dying on the ground. The two others, plus the archer, were all badly bloodied after twelve seconds of combat, and Mairrethid’s hovering fireball was blasting them with lethal waves of heat.

The elf archer turned tail and ran.

The other elf in the hallway followed him.

The elf in the room didn’t realize he was being abandoned, and flailed at Gherota with his chain and sickle.

Mairrethid let his flaming sphere wink out. Schlobrock moved to cut off the elf’s escape route. Everyone readied an attack for the moment the elf made a move.

And Gherota said, “We’re gonna kill you, unless you give up.”

The elf dropped his weapons, exhausted, standing on his last legs.

“We’ve got him covered,” Mairrethid said, meaning himself and Fisk who both had spells ready to deploy. “Tie him up, Mez. And let’s see about stabilizing the rest of the wounded.

“But I want to make them sacrifices to my black god,” Fisk whined.

“You can do that if this one doesn’t cooperate,” Mairrethid chided.

Schlobrock and Gherota went around applying bandages to the three wounded elves that remained, leaving them for Mez to tie up as none of them were conscious.

“Can you do something about him?” Gherota asked Fisk, gesturing to the corpse of the elf leader, still on fire.

“He’z quide dead,” Schlobrock said. “I can’d raize him.”

“He looks pretty razed to me,” Fisk chuckled.

“So, why did you try to kill us in the steam room?” Mairrethid asked the elf.

“Paid,” the elf gulped, “it was nothing personal.”

“Good enough for me,” Mairrethid said, grinning. “As long as you tell me and anyone else who asks who paid you.”

“It was Polygon Saul,” the elf explained without hesitation, “and he lives in the big house next door. He’s crazy, absolutely insane. I mean, if he finds out I talked and then catches me, he’s as likely to give me a promotion as to personally carve out my liver and eat it.”

“Huh,” Gherota exclaimed, overhearing the conversation.

“Will he have guards in the house with him?” Mairrethid pressed.

“Be sure of it. And he’s a mage, besides, so if you’re going to take him out, be ready for him,” the elf continued.

“You’re a smart one, elf,” Mairrethid complimented. “Now we’re gonna knock you out and stash you away until the fighting is over.”

Mairrethid cracked the elf with his staff and the elf went out like a light.

“Alright, so this plan is going better than I thought it would,” Fisk conceded.

“The merchant was right, that the whole town would turn on us if we barged into Saul’s place without justification. He may be a scumbag, but so is everyone in Red Creek,” Gherota reiterated.

Mairrethid nodded. “And, we seem to have a nack for digging in to a defensive position and destroying whatever comes after us. The situation did present us with an advantage.”

“It is a common dwarf tactic,” Fisk agreed, “but I’ve never liked giving up initiative.”

“Me eidher,” Schlobrock commented, “bud zomedimez dhere iz wisdom in playing dhe zpider.”

I'm back.

So, I recently moved, broke up with my girlfriend, got busted for running cockfights behind the Circle K, and had a botched masectomy. It's not an excuse, but a reason for why I utterly failed to maintain any semblance of a writing schedule.

Anyway, I'm back, and I'm going to try hard to keep to a once-a-week posting schedule, probably on Mondays.

Also, after a conversation with a friend, I'm aiming for shorter instalments, around 2k words. I hope this doesn't leave anyone feeling shortchanged. Less, more often, ought to actually leave you with more to read.

And thanks for reading!

Chapter 10

Roll Call:

Gherota, Human Fighter, Level 1. First and foremost a front-line swordswoman, and quite skilled. Irritated by Fisk's violent, exploitative worldview.

Gurnlocke Fisk, Dwarf Warlock, Level 1. A bitter spell-slinger with powers touched by brimstone. An advocate for Machiavellian methods and strategies.

Mairrethid, Human Wizard, Level 1. Student of mechanical magic and military theory, a war mage. Both moderate rationalist and mediator.

Mez Gobbo, Goblin Rogue, Level 1. Lockpick and shadow-skulking cut-throat. Motivated by enlightened self-interest, a mercenary.

Schlobrock, Ork Cleric, Level 1. Nature-worshipping shaman and medicine woman, with a huge axe. Has trouble pronouncing the letters F, S, T and V.

First Ch 01: Poot's Angels
Previous Chapter 09

 

Five adventurers had been hired by Poot, a wealthy businessman from the wilderness settlement of Red Creek, to recover a small statue which had been stolen from him by a band of goblins. The five followed up on Poot’s information to find the goblin’s lair, penetrated it, and stole the statue with consequences of great violence. However, they made a successful escape from their pursuers, and were even now making their way back to Red Creek.

On the way, they collected a number of horses, arms, and armor that they had captured from eleven riders from Red Creek who had followed them into the hills and attacked. The three leaders of this group had each reached an idea in their minds of some transgression one of the five had made against them, so they were riding out with the expressed idea of settling up. While the coincidence was incredible, the five returned the violence with better than they had gotten, winning the day. The loot from this encounter sped them on their way after Poot’s quarry and would compose the bulk of their treasure from the eventful week, in weight if not in coin.

“Those guys who came after us as we were leaving town,” Mez said, “they’ve got friends in Red Creek.”

“I remember,” Mairrethid said, agreeing. “When some of the grunts who just seemed to be along for the ride started to falter, their commander threatened them with what their friends would do if they didn’t hold the line.”

“You expect retribution?” Gherota asked.

“Definitely,” Fisk said.

Mez agreed. “Guys like that, they rule by fear. You saw that when the fat guy convinced his guys to stand and fight, even when it was clear that they were losing. Acing eleven guys like that, it threatens the whole basis of their power. They’ll definitely come after us.”

“So,” Fisk added, “we hit them first.”

“We don’t know anything about them, though,” Mairrethid cautioned. “How big is their organization? What are their resources, and where are their fortresses? Who else might their friends be?”

“I’ll ask the right questions of the right people,” Mez said. “We should stick together, though, along the way. Guys like this, they’d love to pick us off one by one--and take you alive so they can make killing you go really slow.”

“Cidy people are zo barbaric,” Schlobrock observed.

“Don’t worry, Schlob,” Fisk replied, “we’ll give better than we get.”

“First,” Mez said, “let’s unload all of this gear and collect from Poot.”

“Yeah,” Mairrethid said. “He never told us where to meet him when we got the statue.”

“Well,” Fisk replied, “we assumed all of that secrecy and stuff when he gave us the job was because he was worried about the goblins’ friends finding out what he knew. That’s no longer a concern.”

“Yeah,” Mez said, “but let’s avoid getting yelled at. We head to the trading post first, and let him come to us himself or send a Pheg to make another appointment.”

“We’re going do ged yelled ad, no madder whad,” Schlobrock observed.

“Yeah,” Fisk agreed. “That Poot is an ass.”

“Still, I’d rather let him come find us. I’m not his dog,” Gherota said.

“That’s the plan, then.”

As they descended out of the northern hills into Red Creek, the few buildings--taverns, shops and warehouses, mostly--came into view, with the low profile of the tents of less-permanent residents who couldn’t afford tavern prices scattered around the outskirts. Tensing against dangers that didn’t exist in the lonely wilderness, while relaxing in anticipation of warm beds, baths, and their payday, the five experienced mixed feelings in their triumphant return.

The first found their way to the trading post, as planned, and followed Mez around as he asked questions about who would offer the best price. When they found a cash-rich shopkeeper, they negotiated to liquidate all of the gear and all but five of the horses captured during their adventure. 145 gold was all they could swing, given a “blood and guts” markdown, but they accepted and divided the coins up, glad to be rid of the baggage.

They were surprised, however, when Poot showed up before they had finished the deal--suggesting he had run over as soon as he learned they were in town. Given how previously careful he had been to keep his association with the five secret, this new openness was definitely out of place.

“I came over as soon as I heard you were in town,” Poot said, smiling uncharacteristically. “Do you have the goods?”

“We do,” Mairrethid said.

“Can I see it?” Poot asked.

“Where’s the gold?” Fisk pressed.

Poot reached into a satchel and retrieved five small leather pouches. He tossed one of each to the five adventurers. “I went ahead and divided the five-hundred between you, when I heard you all made it back. I hope you don’t mind.”

“The less time I have to spend with the dwarf, the better,” Gherota said, scowling as she inspected the purse.

Schlobrock put one hand on Gherota’s arm, getting her attention and shooting her a look that said, “Shut up.”

“I’m sorry that you aren’t all getting along better,” Poot said, grinning openly. “Anyway, my statue?”

Schlobrock unslung her backpack and reached in. She pulled out the statue and peeled away the swaddling they’d used to transport it.

“Hand it over,” Poot said, continuing to smile.

Schlobrock advanced and handed the bundle over. Her eyes betrayed just how suspicious she was of Poot’s unexpected behavior, though she was making little effort to hide that.

“Thank you,” Poot said, taking the statue. “So, I suppose you’d like to relax a bit and clean the stink of the road off of yourselves?”

“As soon as possible,” Mez fibbed, matching Poot’s cheerfulness.

“Have any of you taken a sweat in a wood elf heat lodge?” Poot suggested. “The elves here in Red Creek built one and they rent it out. If you’re interested, it’s on me.”

“Why so generous all of a sudden?” Fisk pressed with characteristic suspicion and rudeness.

“Honestly,” Poot said without pause, “I didn’t expect you would be able to retrieve this statue. I didn’t think I’d ever lay hands on it. That’s why I handed the job to an untested crew--little for me to lose if you failed, and so much to gain if you succeeded. Rest assured, gentlemen, there will be much more work for such talented individuals.”

“The sweat sounds wonderful,” Mez said. “Let me tell you guys, they had one in Gobsport and I was in there once or twice a week. The heat, the water, just gets in your bones and loosens everything up. We’ll definitely take you up on it, Poot. But first, I need a drink and the caress of an affectionate woman who charges by the hour. Any suggestions on that front?”

“Well, there is my joint,” Poot started to say.

“I don’t know if we should impose,” Mairrethid started to caution.

“You got any bugbear women?” Mez asked.

“Er...” Poot stammered at the unusual request. “No. I don’t think there is a single bugbear female in Red Creek, working or otherwise.”

“Mom hated ‘em so I’ve gotta have ‘em,” Mez said, laughing. “You know what I mean. Let me check out the town and see if I can turn one up. If I can’t, I’m sure I’ll end up at your place.”

Poot blinked. “Okay, then.”

Mairrethid blinked, then added, “So, I’m sure you’re busy, Poot. Don’t let us take any more of your time.”

“Er...” Poot hesitated, officially at a loss for words. “Yeah, so, see you boys around.”

The five waited for Poot to leave before pulling into a huddle to discuss the situation.

“Gentlemen, boys,” Gherota snarled. “Like I’m not even here.”

“And you’re not even all that mannish,” Fisk taunted, “for a she-ape amazon so decked out in armor she could just as easily be a particularly well-muscled thirteen year-old ork boy.”

“He’s just jealous,” Mairrethid said, interrupting Gherota’s own response, “because his mother’s beard is longer than his.”

“Anyway!” Mez interjected. “So, who thinks Poot is setting us up?”

“I got that feeling from him,” Mairrethid said, nodding. “You too, Mez?”

“Dwarf women don’t have beards,” Fisk mumbled, “my mother included.”

“No, but I’m not good at reading people,” Mez said. “But everything he was saying and doing was wrong. It was out of character for him, for one thing. For another, when someone’s suddenly your new best friend, it is usually because the wrong person is tired of hearing you breath. And a sweat lodge? Yeah, there was one of those in Gobsport, and more folks got the old Caesar Salad* there than probably anywhere else in town.”

“I follow up to the Caesar Salad part,” Gherota said.

“It is a steam room, so you’re hot and sticky, which means you don’t want to go in there with your armor, your clothes, much off anything. The elves go naked. Mostly, in Gobsport, we used towels and stuff. Anyway, even if you do bring in some protective magic items and a weapon, you’re way more vulnerable than any other time--even more than sleeping in your bed at home.”

“So that’s where they choose to attack.” Gherota nodding, following.

“That’s what your mom said,” Fisk said, trying to jab at Gherota, who stared at him blankly.

Mairrethid tried to keep things moving along. “So, Poot’s either with the guys who rode out after us, or he’s selling us out. This is a bad position, we’re in.”

“We are waiting to get hit, and it will come tonight if not sooner, no matter what we do.” Mez rubbed his eyes, running through the possibilities in his mind. “If we run, they come after us, we lose initiative, and it is very likely they’ll deploy a superior force. So, the least-bad option is to attack now, if only to disrupt and weaken them before we run.”

“But who do we attack?” Mairrethid asked.

“Ledz azk dhe shopkeeper,” Schlobrock suggested. “He haz do work in a dirdy down, zo he probably knowz whose bad.”

“He probably doesn’t want to get involved,” Mairrethid said, shaking his head.

“We involve him,” Fisk barked. “What he wants doesn’t matter, and whatever he’s worried about, we tell him that we’ll kill him if we think he’s lying.”

“What if he tells the truth and we still think he’s lying?” Mairrethid asked.

“We kill him and asked someone else.” Fisk folded his arm. “And your mom is lying.”

“Please stop with the your moms?” Mez pleaded.

“Ledz dry id,” Schlobrock said. “We dond acdually habe to kill him.”

“Yes we do,” Fisk said, “in case we think he’s lying and have to ask someone else.”

Mairrethid urged things along. “Let’s postpone that screaming match until and unless we come to it.”

 

*”Caesar Salad” is a reference to assassination, as related in the Sagas of Caesar Salad. But that’s another story. (And “Caesar Salad” has nothing to do with sex or butts, you dirty birdies.)

Next Chapter 11

Chapter 09

Roll Call:

Gherota, Human Fighter, Level 1. First and foremost a front-line swordswoman, and quite skilled. Irritated by Fisk's violent, exploitative worldview.

Gurnlocke Fisk, Dwarf Warlock, Level 1. A bitter spell-slinger with powers touched by brimstone. An advocate for Machiavellian methods and strategies.

Mairrethid, Human Wizard, Level 1. Student of mechanical magic and military theory, a war mage. Both moderate rationalist and mediator.

Mez Gobbo, Goblin Rogue, Level 1. Lockpick and shadow-skulking cut-throat. Motivated by enlightened self-interest, a mercenary.

Schlobrock, Ork Cleric, Level 1. Nature-worshipping shaman and medicine woman, with a huge axe. Has trouble pronouncing the letters F, S, T and V.

First Ch 01: Poot's Angels
Previous Chapter 08

 

When five adventurers were offered a substantial quantity of gold from a man who refused to offer specifics or answer questions, seeds of doubt and apprehension were planted in those five adventurers’ minds. However, between two assumptions--that they weren’t important enough to kill and that the man would want to see the job completed--and the price being right, the five proceeded. They were, thus, surprised to find themselves cornered far underground by a force of goblins that outnumbered them by more than three to one.

The five used a chokepoint within the fortress to their advantage in the coming fight, successfully destroying the goblin’s front-line fighters. However, a goblin spellcaster and a squad of goblin archers survived the battle, while four of the five adventurers were badly bloodied. The five fell back into their bolt hole, slamming and barring the door, to give themselves a chance to recuperate and plan their next move.

Gherota had twice fallen in combat, overcome by the goblins’ swords and a hex from their spellcasting leader. She was starting to come around, though, stabilizing and regaining consciousness.

Schlobrock didn’t benefit from the heavier armor and shield that Gherota carried into battle, and was definitely the worse for it. While still on her feet, Schlobrock was hurt very badly, a consequence of standing beside Gherota on the front line of the fight.

Mairrethid’s condition was equally dire. He had exchanged fire with the goblin spellcaster during the fight, and had been the loser. He weathered the consequences of that duel fairly well, but when Gherota collapsed a couple goblins penetrated within striking distance of the second rank. The unarmored Mairrethid received the brunt of those attacks.

Gurnlocke Fisk was in better condition that the others, having fed on the life force energy of fallen opponents throughout the fight to build protective shields. He was, however, still in bad shape.

Mez Gobbo, however, successfully avoided taking any damage at all during the fight. He had been very effective, wielding a crossbow and then his new magic shortsword to devastating effect. He was quick on his feet, though, and made good tactical decisions, all of which kept him out of harms way even as he felled enemies left and right.

The four who were wounded took a moment for themselves, resting for a few precious seconds to find a second wind, while Mez moved to help Gherota bind her wounds.

“You’re a nice goblin!” Gherota squealed at Mez as he approached, tearing a handkerchief into strips for bandaging.

“Don’t worry,” Mez said, assuringly, “I’m just trying to pick your pocket.”

Gherota chuckled a bit and let Mez help her.

“We need do dake a momend do ged dhiz bleeding under condrol,” Schlobrock announced.

“What about those goblins sending for reinforcements?” Fisk asked.

“We gave them enough time to assemble their forces the first time we baracaded ourselves in here,” Mairrethid argued. “I don’t imagine they had another force of similar size, gathering the back door or something in case our presence was some kind of feint.”

“I would be surprised if there weren’t a few more hobgoblins,” Mez suggested. “Any time you’ve got more than a dozen guys involved in something, they’re always going to post guards around what is most important to them.”

“Maybe this is what is most important to them,” Fisk suggested, pointing to the statue they had come to steal.

“If that’s true,” Mairrethid said, “then we’ll need to fight our way out, regardless. We should do what we can to recover from our wounds before we are forced to engage them again.”

“Yeah,” Schlobrock agreed.

“Okay,” Mez said, compromising. “But no more than five minutes. Whatever other men they have here, there may be another, larger force nearby. We could find ourselves surrounded by a small army very shortly, if we don’t get out of here quick.”

“We could try talking to them,” Mairrethid suggested. “Negotiate our way out.”

“They won’t negotiate,” Fisk said, “if that statue is the most important thing to them.”

“Maybe it isn’t,” Mez said.

“How do we know if we don’d azk?” Schlobrock asked.

“So, you want to just yell through the door, ask the goblin if we’ve got the most important thing in his entire castle?” Fisk challenged.

“More like, tell him we’re not interested in killing any more of his men,” Mairrethid countered. “I think I got nine, all by myself.”

“Not all by yourself,” Mez argued. “I messed a bunch of guys up, real bad.”

“Me too,” Fisk said, scowling at Mairrethid.

“My point is that we killed a lot of guys,” Mairrethid said, trying to calm his allies down. “That’s all, and maybe we don’t have to kill anymore. If they let us walk out of here unmolested, there is no reason for us to attack them, right?”

“Sure,” Mez agreed.

“I can think of a few reasons,” Fisk said, unconvinced.

“I won’t surrender,” Gherota burped from her position on the floor.

“Me either,” Fisk agreed.

“I’m not suggesting that,” Mairrethid said. “Just negotiation.”

“Even if we spend more time in an effort to recover,” Fisk argued, “the enemy is rallying against us, whatever their number.”

“Zcrew dheir number,” Schlrock interjected. “Gheroda and Merry can’d dake much more bighding.”

“And that goblin spellcaster hits hard,” Mairrethid added.

“Cats are brown now,” Gherota mumbled.

“So let me say, ‘hi,” Mairrethid argued. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

“Harkanian mind-probe,” Fisk snapped. “Once you open yourself to negotiation, they follow the psychic portal into your subconscious and boil your memories into nightmares. And bug-boy out there wouldn’t be the first goblin to learn the trick.”

“What?” Mez asked, confused.

“You’re a city goblin, you don’t know,” Fisk added, helpfully.

“You, on the other hand,” Mairrethid said accusingly, “are making all of this up. I know a think about the Harkanians.”

“Not nearly enough, college boy,” Fisk quipped.

“Look, I’m going to talk to him.” Mairrethid walked over to the door. “Goblins,” he called. “Look, we’ve already got what we came for. Maybe we can walk out of here without killing any more of your men.”

“What are your terms?” a small goblin voice answered back.

The five exchanged glances for a moment, unsure of how to proceed.

“He asked for terms, that means he feels vulnerable,” Fisk reasoned. “We can get him to make concessions beyond guaranteeing our safety out of here. In fact, maybe we should just rush out there and take him.”

Mez wasn’t sure he agreed, but riffed off the idea, projecting strength as he addressed the goblin, “We just needed a moment to drink a few healing potions, and we’re ready to be back in the fight, fresh and strong as when we started. So my only question for you is--what do you have to offer?”

“You’re a boastful liar,” the goblin voice replied, “and I think I may need to punish you for your hubris.”

Mez winced.

So did Fisk.

Mairrethid tried to correct the situation, “What we’re offering is a chance to let us walk out of here without any more fighting. I’m sure you realize, an effort to stop us will surely result in the deaths of more of your men, whatever the ultimate outcome.”

The goblin replied, “Maybe.”

Schlobrock whispered to Mairrethid, “We came in here and darded killing hiz guyz. How doez he led uz oud ob here and zdill lead dheze goblins? He’z god no backup, and he’z scared ob whad odher damage we’ll do do hiz crew.”

“You think he’s just posturing?” Mairrethid asked.

Schlobrock nodded, “He’z godda zabe az much bace az he can. We may or may nod be able do punch our way oud ob here, bud he’z godda bigure he mighd die in dhe addempd.”

“I don’t know about saving base,” Fisk interjected, “but he knows what’s in this room, and he’s got to be smart enough to connect the dots to that statue. If he cared that much about us taking it out of here, why would he have opened the door for negotiation in the first place?”

“I’ve got it,” Mez said. He called to the goblin leader, “Look, this goblin we aced here in the armory, he raped and killed my woman in Red Creek, so I got my guys together and tracked him to this hole as a debt of honor. We did what needed to be done, and were about to walk out of here, when you got in the way. So, we’re satisfied, and we can write the rest of this off to a misunderstanding.”

After a moment, the goblin leader’s voice came back, “True, an offense like that can’t be ignored, and old Bunny did like dangerous games.”

Mairrethid considered for a moment, and then suggested, “We don’t need much of a head start running out of here. Walk to the door, break into a run as soon as we’re in the clear or they start going for this room, to see what we might have taken. We can beat them heading back to the shaft up to the shepherd’s cottage, and block the door successfully so that they can’t pick us off while we climb.”

“Goblins might be able to run faster than us,” Fisk said.

“You mean,” Gherota interrupted, “faster than dwarves.”

“Or humans wearing heavy armor,” Fisk returned.

“Id will dibide dheir borcez burdher, bedween dhoze who can keep up and dhoze who can’d,” Schlobrock said. “Widh our already consziderable birepower and mighd, and dhe goblin leader nod wanding do cadch uz zo much, we will ged away ib we bollow Merry’z plan. Probably widh no more bighding.”

“That’s a vote for getting out as quick as we can,” Mez interpreted, “I think. I’ll add mine to it.”

“That’s three,” Mairrethid said. “A majority, I believe, for going with Mez’s fib and getting out of here as quickly as we can.”

“Fine,” Gherota said. “I’m game. Don’t expect me to make the final offer to the goblin, though.”

“Yeah,” Fisk added. “I think Mez will be best-able to seal the deal among us.”

“Tell me, then,” Mez called through the door to the goblin leader, “how about you just stand down, we stand down, we walk out of here, and you are left to tend to your dead, with our own twenty gold for your trouble and our apologies at not being permitted by other pressing concerns to stick around and pay our respects?”

“Fair enough,” the response came, quickly.

“That’s your twenty gold,” Fisk hissed at Mez.

“I’ve got it,” Mairrethid said, going into his purse and producing twenty coins. “We’ll vote, later, on whether we share the costs across all five of us. If we don’t, I’ll carry it myself, and applaud Mez for getting us out of here alive.”

Mez nodded in appreciation.

The five pulled themselves together for flight. A place was found, deep in Schlobrock’s backpack, to hide the statue they had come to steal. Gherota rediscovered her feet and composed herself. Slowly, each of them sounded off on being ready to go.

Gherota unbarred the door, with the other four arrayed behind her to provide fire support if necessary. She pushed the door open, to find the goblins having all relocated to the balcony on the opposite wall, though none of them were taking provocative action.

“Go in peace,” the goblin leader said, solemnly.

“Likewise,” Mez intoned, leading the party quickly, but cautiously, out of the hall.

There were no more goblins waiting for them outside, and the way back to the tunnel was clear. Just as Schlobrock passed through the door, leaving the goblin fortress, she noticed the goblin leader signal to one of his men to go check out the room.

“Run,” Schlobrock said, and without a word the five set off at a full run.

Their flight went much the way Mairrethid predicted. Behind them, they could hear the goblins start howling about the missing statue, and then the leader’s order to pursue. The goblins were quick, but they weren’t much quicker than the fleeing five, and less so when they stopped momentary to fire off arrows. The goblin leader threw a few spells after them too, but nothing that actually caused any damage or slowed their escape.

When the five reached the shaft up, Mez rigged the previously-trapped door so it couldn’t open while the others made the climb back to the shepherd’s house. Mez followed quickly, clearing the shaft before the goblins made it to the door.

Fisk pitched several pints of lamp oil down, and Mairrethid ignited it with a fire spell.

“That’ll take care of the landing at the bottom,” Mairrethid chuckled, “and give them another obstacle to clear coming up after us. After the fire dies down, of course.”

“I’m sure they’ve got another way out of their hole,” Mez cautioned, “but we saw no evidence of it, so it will take a while for them to get to it. Plenty of time to get away.”

“A good day’s work,” Gherota said.

“We could have taken those runts,” Fisk added, bitterly.

Next: Chapter 10