Jenaer thanks Eclipse for his information before giving him a long stare. “My furry friend, I don’t know what you are suggesting about me. These Goblins are not known to be sentient creatures, and it is merely a matter of efficiency to use their meat. Waste not, want not as they say. I have also heard rumours that certain strains of these creatures may be a very potent aphrodisiac when prepared correctly, which I’m sure you would take interest in for your dalliances at harbour.”
He squints at the Mawn, a thin smile spreading across his face. ”Of course, when it come’s to disease, I go to great lengths to ensure the safety of my food. Sanitization, preservation techniques, and the effect of certain bacteria are largely forgotten by the vast majority of people of this land. Hence why they keep very unadventurous diets. You can rest assured that if I were to make a meal of you, disease would not be an issue.” Jenaer winks at Eclipse with a chuckle as he heads back to the galley.
Tyrod takes the time to unpack some of his stuff and get it setup in his bunk. He attaches a nice contrasting wooden set of interlocking gears to the wall above his bunk. He spent most the next couple days getting to know the rest of the crew, checking on the ship to see how it's holding up, and doing some instruction on operation of the ship for anyone interested.
(OOC: If I could do a history check to see what else I might know about the goblins we're heading to find. roll: 16)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Tyrod- Sky-Pirates of Q’rath Set: Crew of the Reaver's Word
Eclipse chuckles, enjoying the intelligence of his fellow crewman, until Jenaer's last line sinks in, "If I were to make a meal of you..." And then it is Eclipse who turns, perhaps, just a bit green, although it is hard to tell under his blue-grey coat. He then shouts with a stiff smile, "Tyrod, what say you? Shall we be cabin mates?"
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
"Felines tend to be a bit gamey anyway. I tried a bobcat once. It was terrible, not worth the effort of the hunt. So rest assured, I'll just fly you off the side of the ship should you annoy me enough, Eclipse!" By her tone, she seems to be joking. Probably. She leaves the conversation at that.
As they enter the storm, Laitraxa heads below, not enjoying the cold at all. The spectral hand slips into the storage pack nestled between her wings, and pulls out a rough and weathered map of the region and a small flat glass orb, an internal light spinning as it floats to the crew's mess table. Laitraxa muzzles aside one of the benches and places the items on the table with her mage hand, before sitting on her haunches. Once the orb comes to rest, the light on the interior settles, forming a vertical red arc of light, the rest of the orb transparent like glass. As the ship sways in the wind, the red arc always points north, the rest of the orb magnifying the map underneath.
"I found these treasures on a lost wanderer in the desert. I think he was an, oh, what is the common word? Halfling? Sadly the desert had claimed him before I could. There was a small oasis only a mile away, hidden in the rocks. He had plotted his own course through the mesas. I thought he would want his journey continued, in a way." You note on the rough map, there is a straight line from one of the eastern cities of the desert attempting to make a shortcut that avoided a winding trade road. There is a small 'x' near the middle of the desert, in a different handwriting, then a dotted line is marked to a mountain ridge. A second dotted line beelines to the Northern plains, which takes a sharp turn to point to Aaron's Cairns. Now, the spectral hand takes out an inkwell and pen from Laitraxa's supplies and dots along towards the entry to the Aris Balteum.
As they hunker down belowdecks while sailing the Aris, and with her mapmaking complete for now, Laitraxa focuses her attention to Tyrod and Bazlachi. "Seems we have two other natural fliers, in our own ways. Does the air speak to you as it does to me?"
Eclipse tries to remember anything in particular he may have learned about the goblins on the coast and their History (History check: 19), and communicates them to Jenaer...//
He says to Jenaer, "Do you really plan to eat the goblins we slay? Now THAT is a most interesting way to get to the top of the heap, gives new meaning to the term 'apex predator' for certain. But I must advise you, before you get any ideas. It is a little know fact that Mawns, when eaten by Cannibals, or other large beasts," bringing Laitraxa into the conversation too, "may indeed offer brilliant flavor--I have little doubt that my taste and texture would be superior, to be sure. And of course we have the usual bounty of skills, and what-not that cannibals gain when eating us. HOWEVER, you should beware that there is a 50% likelihood that instead of that happening, you will get the cat’s curse. You have not heard of it? To summarize, you’ll be constantly coughing up hairballs, and gaining the poisoned state every day at some odd hour, perhaps when you most need your facilities. Now, I’m sure we taste very, very good, but be warned, you’re taking chances when eating Mawn!" (OOC: Critical information check Biology/Nature 4)
The History check passes (for both of you), the Critical Info doesn't.
You do recall that, further south, about forty years ago, they started paying for goblin scalps to reduce the population. In some of the poorer rural areas, people started breeding goblins in cages for money. They didn't know about vedekain syndrome, but they noticed that the goblins who looked a certain way bred faster and escaped less often, so they favored them, and before long they were the only goblins in the cages. When, eventually, it got back to lawmakers that people were breeding goblins, they removed the scalp-price. In response, the 'goblin-farmers' turned out their cages, and there was suddenly a massive number of goblins loose. It took the next twenty years to drive them northward, which is why the northern coast is experiencing the massive numbers it is now.
Edit: Assume any response to Laitraxa happens before the post below.
After two days the ship's compass indicates you're in the region you're aiming for, and assuming the ship's brought out of the jetstream, it drops below the cloud line to reveal several miles of grass land directly below the ship. You can see a wagon being pulled by two horses, with a pair of riders on it, moving north as well. Up ahead, the grass land gives way to about 90 feet of cold sandy beach. Patchy mist drifts inward from the sea as body odor mixes with the salt and brine. A swarm of goblins, shoulder to shoulder, massed so thick you can't make out if it's low tide or high, is an indistinct green line proceeding the grey-blue of the sea. Stretching away on both sides, to the east the land slopes down and eventually out of sight, though to the west the swarm stretches to the horizon. A palpable sussurration of goblin voices can be felt, if faintly, even at this distance. As you become visible overhead, the wagon stops and the wind makes waves in the tall grass.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jenaer comes up on deck with an embroidered handkerchief over his nose. “What is that foul smell - oh, I see we have arrived at the goblin coast. If I would have known how pungent an odour we would have to withstand, I might have reconsidered my vote.”
Peering over the edge of the ship he remarks, “There’s a wagon down there, should we see if they have any useful information about this goblin plague?” He squints as he tries to make out the riders features, race, clothing, and what he might ascertain about their lifestyle. (Perception? 19)
Laitraxa mutters to herself in draconic, a guttural language with harsh consonants to those who don't have an ear for it.
Draconic: "<Surely this isn't where I would have ended up... could such a horde steal a sky-ship?>"
Looking to Jenaer. "Seems like those mortals want to tempt fate. I agree, we should speak to them. I can send a message and glide above, so they aren't completely surprised by an skyship dropping in to say hello."
He squints as he tries to make out the riders features, race, clothing, and what he might ascertain about their lifestyle. (Perception? 19)
The pair are rapped in scrap leathers, a cheap but practical garb used for travelers, adventurers, and those in rough trades. No significant amount of skin is showing, and the figures are small and lightly built, three or four feet tall. One's carrying something long, slender and metallic. The other has something strapped to their back that comes up above their shoulder. It could easily be the handle of a weapon or the end of a bow. They both are carrying packs. There's a small barrel in the wagon, but it's other wise empty. They are moving such that they might be talking to each other.
They'll be out of range for telepathy until you are much closer.
OOC: Yep. If we approach them, Laitraxa will jump off the side of the ship and circle/glide above, and send them a hello... and try to stay within 100 feet of both the ship and the wagon if possible to relay messages.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: Just so I understand, we see a swarm of thousands of goblins, shoulder-to-shoulder, extending to the horizon? Possible to estimate the total number? (Investigation: 8 w/proficiency). From Eclipse's vantage point, does it appear that those in the wagon see, hear, and smell the goblins? (Perception 22 w/proficiency)
ECLIPSE FARAWAY
"I agree with Jenaer, let us descend and see who is in the wagon, and assess whether they are friends or foes of the goblins."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Jenaer gives a wry chuckle, “Well, well, Laitraxa, you are full of surprises. That sounds like a brilliant plan. Shall we begin our descent then captain?”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the ship begins to descend, Laitraxa waits for the prime moment at the bow of the ship, using her hunting instinct to judge just the right distance and altitude so that she can make the glide. With a leap forward, she unfurls her wings. Her fifteen-foot wingspan is filled with bright crimson membranes, supported by burnished brass spines from wing root to the tip of her tail. Each membrane of her wings transition from crimson to a deep gold-green color closer to her body. Though not seen by the others, a long serpentine smile crosses her face.
Gliding at her maximum speed, she can save some altitude, and ends up circling overhead the wagon, probably 150 feet or so above. She takes a closer look at the wagon below, observing the pair while she waits for the ship to catch up somewhat. Perception: 7
When the ship is close enough that she could glide to be within message range within a few seconds, she dives down to be within 100 feet of the pair, and focuses her mind on them, sending her mental voice to the driver of the wagon.
Message: "Hello, friends! Do not be alarmed. We are hunters of goblins, looking for information! We mean you no harm! May we approach in peace?"
Tyrod looks over at Laitraxa nods and says, "that's a bit of an understatement. That's a ton of goblins. I don't think the wagon sees them yet."
He agrees about descending. Tyrod is also going to take a chance to load the ballista and check on the cauldron to make sure it's ready to deploy. (OOC: if there's some check that's needed for this: 8) He also retrieves a rope from his room he says something in dwarfish and it knots itself up, and then ties itself to a solid post near the front of the ship. With another word it coils itself and he places it on the deck near the railing.
"I've got the weapons ready to go and a rope ready to pull them up if needed, Captain." Tyrod says to Eclipse and then leans over the railing to see what Laitraxa is up to.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Tyrod- Sky-Pirates of Q’rath Set: Crew of the Reaver's Word
A bit annoyed to risk losing the element of surprise, Eclipse unleashes and takes control of the helm, dropping the ship down to Laitraxa’s level with haste. “Tyrod,” he directs with a serious mien not yet seen, “ you’ll be my eyes over the gunwale. We’ll keep the Reaver’s Word on course at top speed toward the wagon, with ballista aimed and rope ready to pick up Laitraxa. Jenaer and Bazlachi, have you missile weapons to ready?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Jenaer pulls out an extremely well polished light crossbow. “Will this suffice?” He asks as he carefully loads it, leaning it over the side of the ship.
(OOC: just to confirm, each crewman should have inspiration banked from a performance en route by their captain.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
(OOC: Just so I understand, we see a swarm of thousands of goblins, shoulder-to-shoulder, extending to the horizon? Possible to estimate the total number? (Investigation: 13 w/proficiency). From Eclipse's vantage point, does it appear that those in the wagon see, hear, and smell the goblins? (Perception 4 w/proficiency)
In the millions. A more meaningful figure isn't really possible, as the edge of the group can't be seen. They're effectively a terrain feature at this point. It would be hard for the people in the wagon not to hear and see them, though conceivably they might not understand what they are looking at.
The two in the wagon jump up at the dragon's approach, and the one takes the long metal object, apparently a blunderbuss, in hand as if about to take aim, as the other reaches for the bow on their back. When the dragon's voice comes into their head they both freeze and look at each other. The one with the blunderbuss doesn't level it, and the one with the bow puts their hand back on their belt. Their clothing is worn but maintained, as is the wagon. It looks like both animals pulling the cart are on the older side, a mule and a donkey. (If you have an Animal Handling proficiency, assume you know that it's unusual the creatures haven't spooked at the sight of the dragon. In fact, they're reacting pretty calm just to the background noise and scent of the goblins. These animals have been through some things.)
Both riders, awkwardly, adjust their clothes and the taller one, the one with the gun, speaks, "Ah, well then, I suppose you may. You know these're v-bies right? Prop'r goblins don't swarm up like this. Or hang about with no shelter. We're here for scalps the same." Glancing up at the ship, "How many are ya?"
The cauldron doesn't need a check. It basically comes down to lighting a fire and waiting.
(OOC: is the Reaver's Word flat-bottomed? Possible to land the ship on bunch of them, crushing them, lift off, repeat. Then come back later to scoop up carcasses?)
Eclipse notes Jenaer's crossbow, and with a pointy-toothed, crooked smile, nods appreciatively. "Aye, my friend, that'll do."
Scanning across the goblin horde, he continues, "Shayba! We may need a bigger hold!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Jenaer thanks Eclipse for his information before giving him a long stare. “My furry friend, I don’t know what you are suggesting about me. These Goblins are not known to be sentient creatures, and it is merely a matter of efficiency to use their meat. Waste not, want not as they say. I have also heard rumours that certain strains of these creatures may be a very potent aphrodisiac when prepared correctly, which I’m sure you would take interest in for your dalliances at harbour.”
He squints at the Mawn, a thin smile spreading across his face. ”Of course, when it come’s to disease, I go to great lengths to ensure the safety of my food. Sanitization, preservation techniques, and the effect of certain bacteria are largely forgotten by the vast majority of people of this land. Hence why they keep very unadventurous diets. You can rest assured that if I were to make a meal of you, disease would not be an issue.” Jenaer winks at Eclipse with a chuckle as he heads back to the galley.
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
Tyrod takes the time to unpack some of his stuff and get it setup in his bunk. He attaches a nice contrasting wooden set of interlocking gears to the wall above his bunk. He spent most the next couple days getting to know the rest of the crew, checking on the ship to see how it's holding up, and doing some instruction on operation of the ship for anyone interested.
(OOC: If I could do a history check to see what else I might know about the goblins we're heading to find. roll: 16)
Tyrod - Sky-Pirates of Q’rath Set: Crew of the Reaver's Word
Eclipse chuckles, enjoying the intelligence of his fellow crewman, until Jenaer's last line sinks in, "If I were to make a meal of you..." And then it is Eclipse who turns, perhaps, just a bit green, although it is hard to tell under his blue-grey coat. He then shouts with a stiff smile, "Tyrod, what say you? Shall we be cabin mates?"
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
"Felines tend to be a bit gamey anyway. I tried a bobcat once. It was terrible, not worth the effort of the hunt. So rest assured, I'll just fly you off the side of the ship should you annoy me enough, Eclipse!" By her tone, she seems to be joking. Probably. She leaves the conversation at that.
As they enter the storm, Laitraxa heads below, not enjoying the cold at all. The spectral hand slips into the storage pack nestled between her wings, and pulls out a rough and weathered map of the region and a small flat glass orb, an internal light spinning as it floats to the crew's mess table. Laitraxa muzzles aside one of the benches and places the items on the table with her mage hand, before sitting on her haunches. Once the orb comes to rest, the light on the interior settles, forming a vertical red arc of light, the rest of the orb transparent like glass. As the ship sways in the wind, the red arc always points north, the rest of the orb magnifying the map underneath.
"I found these treasures on a lost wanderer in the desert. I think he was an, oh, what is the common word? Halfling? Sadly the desert had claimed him before I could. There was a small oasis only a mile away, hidden in the rocks. He had plotted his own course through the mesas. I thought he would want his journey continued, in a way." You note on the rough map, there is a straight line from one of the eastern cities of the desert attempting to make a shortcut that avoided a winding trade road. There is a small 'x' near the middle of the desert, in a different handwriting, then a dotted line is marked to a mountain ridge. A second dotted line beelines to the Northern plains, which takes a sharp turn to point to Aaron's Cairns. Now, the spectral hand takes out an inkwell and pen from Laitraxa's supplies and dots along towards the entry to the Aris Balteum.
As they hunker down belowdecks while sailing the Aris, and with her mapmaking complete for now, Laitraxa focuses her attention to Tyrod and Bazlachi. "Seems we have two other natural fliers, in our own ways. Does the air speak to you as it does to me?"
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
The History check passes (for both of you), the Critical Info doesn't.
You do recall that, further south, about forty years ago, they started paying for goblin scalps to reduce the population. In some of the poorer rural areas, people started breeding goblins in cages for money. They didn't know about vedekain syndrome, but they noticed that the goblins who looked a certain way bred faster and escaped less often, so they favored them, and before long they were the only goblins in the cages. When, eventually, it got back to lawmakers that people were breeding goblins, they removed the scalp-price. In response, the 'goblin-farmers' turned out their cages, and there was suddenly a massive number of goblins loose. It took the next twenty years to drive them northward, which is why the northern coast is experiencing the massive numbers it is now.
Edit: Assume any response to Laitraxa happens before the post below.
After two days the ship's compass indicates you're in the region you're aiming for, and assuming the ship's brought out of the jetstream, it drops below the cloud line to reveal several miles of grass land directly below the ship. You can see a wagon being pulled by two horses, with a pair of riders on it, moving north as well. Up ahead, the grass land gives way to about 90 feet of cold sandy beach. Patchy mist drifts inward from the sea as body odor mixes with the salt and brine. A swarm of goblins, shoulder to shoulder, massed so thick you can't make out if it's low tide or high, is an indistinct green line proceeding the grey-blue of the sea. Stretching away on both sides, to the east the land slopes down and eventually out of sight, though to the west the swarm stretches to the horizon. A palpable sussurration of goblin voices can be felt, if faintly, even at this distance. As you become visible overhead, the wagon stops and the wind makes waves in the tall grass.
Jenaer comes up on deck with an embroidered handkerchief over his nose. “What is that foul smell - oh, I see we have arrived at the goblin coast. If I would have known how pungent an odour we would have to withstand, I might have reconsidered my vote.”
Peering over the edge of the ship he remarks, “There’s a wagon down there, should we see if they have any useful information about this goblin plague?” He squints as he tries to make out the riders features, race, clothing, and what he might ascertain about their lifestyle. (Perception? 19)
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
"That's... hmm. That's a lot of goblins."
Laitraxa mutters to herself in draconic, a guttural language with harsh consonants to those who don't have an ear for it.
Draconic: "<Surely this isn't where I would have ended up... could such a horde steal a sky-ship?>"
Looking to Jenaer. "Seems like those mortals want to tempt fate. I agree, we should speak to them. I can send a message and glide above, so they aren't completely surprised by an skyship dropping in to say hello."
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
The pair are rapped in scrap leathers, a cheap but practical garb used for travelers, adventurers, and those in rough trades. No significant amount of skin is showing, and the figures are small and lightly built, three or four feet tall. One's carrying something long, slender and metallic. The other has something strapped to their back that comes up above their shoulder. It could easily be the handle of a weapon or the end of a bow. They both are carrying packs. There's a small barrel in the wagon, but it's other wise empty. They are moving such that they might be talking to each other.
They'll be out of range for telepathy until you are much closer.
OOC: Yep. If we approach them, Laitraxa will jump off the side of the ship and circle/glide above, and send them a hello... and try to stay within 100 feet of both the ship and the wagon if possible to relay messages.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
(OOC: Just so I understand, we see a swarm of thousands of goblins, shoulder-to-shoulder, extending to the horizon? Possible to estimate the total number? (Investigation: 8 w/proficiency). From Eclipse's vantage point, does it appear that those in the wagon see, hear, and smell the goblins? (Perception 22 w/proficiency)
ECLIPSE FARAWAY
"I agree with Jenaer, let us descend and see who is in the wagon, and assess whether they are friends or foes of the goblins."
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Jenaer gives a wry chuckle, “Well, well, Laitraxa, you are full of surprises. That sounds like a brilliant plan. Shall we begin our descent then captain?”
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
As the ship begins to descend, Laitraxa waits for the prime moment at the bow of the ship, using her hunting instinct to judge just the right distance and altitude so that she can make the glide. With a leap forward, she unfurls her wings. Her fifteen-foot wingspan is filled with bright crimson membranes, supported by burnished brass spines from wing root to the tip of her tail. Each membrane of her wings transition from crimson to a deep gold-green color closer to her body. Though not seen by the others, a long serpentine smile crosses her face.
Gliding at her maximum speed, she can save some altitude, and ends up circling overhead the wagon, probably 150 feet or so above. She takes a closer look at the wagon below, observing the pair while she waits for the ship to catch up somewhat. Perception: 7
When the ship is close enough that she could glide to be within message range within a few seconds, she dives down to be within 100 feet of the pair, and focuses her mind on them, sending her mental voice to the driver of the wagon.
Message: "Hello, friends! Do not be alarmed. We are hunters of goblins, looking for information! We mean you no harm! May we approach in peace?"
Persuasion: 13
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Tyrod looks over at Laitraxa nods and says, "that's a bit of an understatement. That's a ton of goblins. I don't think the wagon sees them yet."
He agrees about descending. Tyrod is also going to take a chance to load the ballista and check on the cauldron to make sure it's ready to deploy. (OOC: if there's some check that's needed for this: 8) He also retrieves a rope from his room he says something in dwarfish and it knots itself up, and then ties itself to a solid post near the front of the ship. With another word it coils itself and he places it on the deck near the railing.
"I've got the weapons ready to go and a rope ready to pull them up if needed, Captain." Tyrod says to Eclipse and then leans over the railing to see what Laitraxa is up to.
Tyrod - Sky-Pirates of Q’rath Set: Crew of the Reaver's Word
A bit annoyed to risk losing the element of surprise, Eclipse unleashes and takes control of the helm, dropping the ship down to Laitraxa’s level with haste. “Tyrod,” he directs with a serious mien not yet seen, “ you’ll be my eyes over the gunwale. We’ll keep the Reaver’s Word on course at top speed toward the wagon, with ballista aimed and rope ready to pick up Laitraxa.
Jenaer and Bazlachi, have you missile weapons to ready?”
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Jenaer pulls out an extremely well polished light crossbow. “Will this suffice?” He asks as he carefully loads it, leaning it over the side of the ship.
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
(OOC: just to confirm, each crewman should have inspiration banked from a performance en route by their captain.)
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
In the millions. A more meaningful figure isn't really possible, as the edge of the group can't be seen. They're effectively a terrain feature at this point. It would be hard for the people in the wagon not to hear and see them, though conceivably they might not understand what they are looking at.
The two in the wagon jump up at the dragon's approach, and the one takes the long metal object, apparently a blunderbuss, in hand as if about to take aim, as the other reaches for the bow on their back. When the dragon's voice comes into their head they both freeze and look at each other. The one with the blunderbuss doesn't level it, and the one with the bow puts their hand back on their belt. Their clothing is worn but maintained, as is the wagon. It looks like both animals pulling the cart are on the older side, a mule and a donkey. (If you have an Animal Handling proficiency, assume you know that it's unusual the creatures haven't spooked at the sight of the dragon. In fact, they're reacting pretty calm just to the background noise and scent of the goblins. These animals have been through some things.)
Both riders, awkwardly, adjust their clothes and the taller one, the one with the gun, speaks, "Ah, well then, I suppose you may. You know these're v-bies right? Prop'r goblins don't swarm up like this. Or hang about with no shelter. We're here for scalps the same." Glancing up at the ship, "How many are ya?"
The cauldron doesn't need a check. It basically comes down to lighting a fire and waiting.
ECLIPSE FARAWAY
(OOC: is the Reaver's Word flat-bottomed? Possible to land the ship on bunch of them, crushing them, lift off, repeat. Then come back later to scoop up carcasses?)
Eclipse notes Jenaer's crossbow, and with a pointy-toothed, crooked smile, nods appreciatively. "Aye, my friend, that'll do."
Scanning across the goblin horde, he continues, "Shayba! We may need a bigger hold!"
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Still in her orbit, Laitraxa first glances at the ship. Seeing Tyrod forward by the ballista, she speaks, her voice sounding in his mind.
"They seem friendly enough! Hunters like us. Tell Eclipse."
Then looking down, she continues the conversation with the man below, now about 90 feet of separation.
"I guessed they are not the normal type. Monstrous, really. How would the two of you thin a horde such as that? We are five."
OOC: Laitraxa is basically like a predator drone. Just circling above, either watching, talking or shooting fire.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag