Randall Stealth:  12

22

(Goblins have a passive perception of 9, and since you all went I would do a group initiative so only 3 would have to succeed.)

Being careful and under the cover of a magical spell the group is able to sneak up on a picket guard. He seems relaxed about his duties, probably relying on so many goblins being nearby that he doesn't feel the impending need to be as vigilant as he should be.

Describe how you take him hostage without arousing the camp.

(Just looking for a general idea of how you went about it, many paths lead to success.)

Randall:

As they approach, Randall whispers, “I will hang back a little and cast Silence on him as you get close.  That way alerting the other goblins by sound will be impossible for him if you take him quickly and don’t let him run anywhere.”

(Petcan can go for some detect thoughting on other goblins in the mean time)

Pepin cast enhance ability (Bull's strength) on himself before sneaking up to the goblin. He will try to grapple him and than put some cloth in its mouth so it can't shout. After that he'll move the goblin back to the riverbed.

Athletics check: 15

(What is the ground like? Would we leave footprints? I.e. if it's mud or sand, do we need to cover our tracks to avoid them following us back to the riverbed? Or is it something like rock where we don't need to worry?)

(The spell Pass Without Trace leaves no footprints.)

Goblin's Acrobatics: 3

You succeed in nabbing a goblin and dragging him back to the dry riverbed. He struggles a little at first but stops once you get him back to the dry riverbed. His eyes are wide and he appears apprehensive of what you might do next.

Tempe produces a feather "Tickle torture?" He says with a barbaric grin.

(Should we nit try interrogation without torture first?)

Trusting that Petcan will use the mind-reading helmet, Z talks to the Goblin.

"Let me apologize for the rough treatment. We are not bloodthirsty, and have no desire to kill you. We may let you go unharmed, and I can even offer you a bottle of beer to recompense you ...

but we can only do so if you help us with the information.

If you prove uncooperative, you would force our hand and I will have to let my friend here extract the information..."

at this, he indicates Tempe and his feather with a gesture

"So you see, it will be better for us and you if you simply answer our questions:

Who leads your army? Who is in charge - and ultimately behind this? Tell us what you know.

Also, what do you know of the larger plan? Why is your horde so uncharacteristically organized and determined to take this city?"

Pepin willtie up the goblin at the riverbed, and will let the others do the talking.

"Skrud talk! Skrud talk! No poke out Skrud's eyes with feather!"

The goblin, Skrud, squirms a little in his bonds. It's not enough to attempt an escape, it's more to move his head further away from the feather.

"Goblins lead army. It goblin army. Biggest goblin army yet!" The last was said with a loud and proud voice that he realizes might be too loud in present company so he returns to a normal volume for the rest.

"Clump lead my camp. But King Moocus lead goblin army."

"Larger plan? What larger than city? Skrud told to help take city. We try different things but not win yet. Maybe win soon?"

"We very organized, try very hard. King Moocus yell a lot at other camp leaders, then Clump yell a lot at goblins in my camp, even Skrud. All listen or else. Have to take city, nothing left after that but water. Goblins not want water, just big city. Have to get city... or else."

His eyes stay wide and follow the movements of the feather as he talks.

"Everyone listen when leaders yell, if not they take you into black tent. Never come back out of black tent. When camps pack up and move lots of blood and a few bones all that left where black tent was, many goblins gone so now goblins listen to yelling and not want to go to black tent. King Moocus only one can go in black tent and come out. Something very bad happen to goblins in black tent."

"Something final!"

"Thank you. That is very helpful." Z offers the Goblin a drink from one of the bottles he bought in town and a bite of food from his rations.

"Where exactly is your King and this Black Tent currently located? We would be very interested to pay our respects to your King and to see this tent. Which camp is it in? Can you give us any information on how we could get there?"

(Sounds like the king is just a henchman for whatever lives in the tent and eats everything/everyone. Maybe we can sneak in and get into the tent. Or maybe we can parlay with the King and offer him our help against the thing that is using his Goblins both as cannon fodder and as literal fodder)

Petcan nods. "A black tent and a name if we'd rather her go search some camp leader's mind."

"Answer them" Tempe says as he uses produce flame surrounding the feather (It doesn't burn the feather) holding it where his eyes glow in the light.

Randall:

Watching silently, Randall is uncomfortable with the implied threats.  On one hand, the goblins were active enemy combatants.  On the other hand, Lathander frowned mightily on torture, so threatening torture was indeed skating the line.  "It seems we have a valuable lead from this creature.  I can ensure he is unharmed but does not rejoin the war effort or betray us...If indeed he has been truthful with us" Randall says ominously.

Insight on the Goblin:  29

Quote from Scott_R_Simmons >>

Randall:

Watching silently, Randall is uncomfortable with the implied threats.  On one hand, the goblins were active enemy combatants.  On the other hand, Lathander frowned mightily on torture, so threatening torture was indeed skating the line.  "It seems we have a valuable lead from this creature.  I can ensure he is unharmed but does not rejoin the war effort or betray us...If indeed he has been truthful with us" Randall says ominously.

Insight on the Goblin:  31

 (Z is with Randall on this. No torture, but explaining the alternatives seems ok. Besides, I like Skrud. Maybe we can keep him?)

"King Moocus and black tent probably in big camp. Skrud not know. Skrud not want to know. Don't make Skrud go to black tent. Skrud help answer questions."

The goblin starts wiggling and squirming trying to get out of his bonds.

"Why not like Skrud? Skrud help answer questions. Don't make Skrud go to black tent." He tentatively leans forward and closes his eyes. "You can take Skrud's eyes instead of going to black tent." He begins to shake in fear as he chooses the lesser of the two dreaded outcomes.

@Randall

The goblin is both afraid of the implied threats with the flaming feather and the thought of going to the black tent. He is being forthright in hopes of being spared.

Pepin now steps in, not liking the torture threat at all.

"Don't worry Skrud, you helped us greatly. We won't take your eyes."