Lost Mines Gr-A

Rose rests her hammer on her shoulders and gives Gwen a wink. Ha, well well suppose you're right dear. A few days of torture didn't seem to make my Gwenny any less deadly. Rose then turns to the Goblins and walks over to them. To the others she asks I too have no desire to kill unarmed and begging creatures but...well what to do with them? I suppose binding them wouldn't be so bad? Let their surviving allies free them once we are long gone. We can't rightly let them go with the hobs prowling the forest 

Cirrus sighs, remember how poorly it went the last time his party had to decide whether they should spare a defeated foe. Back then it was just one against the three of them, now there are many more, and they seem properly unwilling to fight. As they talk, Cirrus searches around the room for anything of note. Maybe in the fire pit? Underneath the tables? Is the anything shiny in the piles of gravel around the walls? Investigation: 4. "It seems that they were forced to fight against their will, and I'd like to reward them for their surrender, however temporary their lapse in hostility may be. Be that as it may, we can't risk them alerting their kin to our presence. If any of you have some rope, now would be a good time to get it out. As for me, I have a bit of added security." Cirrus reaches into his bag and pulls out three caltrops. "Rose, can you understand their language? If so help me translate this to them."

He waits until they are all tied up to continue, "If you try to alert any of your guard friends that we're here before we leave, then these will activate and burn you alive." To emphasize this, he casts prestidigitation on the caltrops to make "a color" appear on them (the color I would like would be neon red), the color will remain there for one hour. At the same time, a shower of fiery sparks shoots out of the tips of the caltrops. He then places the three of them equidistant around the tied up goblins. "By the way, Rose, since you seem to be a woman of the cloth, I believe you could make more use of this than I." Cirrus hands Rose a spell scroll for augury. Hopefully it will be taken as a show of good faith.

Quote from Bonedrewsle >>

(did my spell do anything?)

 Cirrus moves where Burgee was, trying to use the door itself as cover, his weapons currently sheathed. The fat goblin reels but manages to stay standing, screaming out at the pain in its head.

 

Paavu clicks his tongue, but said nothing at first. Given at least another few seconds to mull things over, he motions curtly towards the northern half of the room and barks in [goblin], "Who next in charge now that fat one is dead." As soon as the one gets singled out, he motions them forward. If they didn't move fast enough, he stomps for good measure and adds a, "Come. Now." In goblin.

If one isn't selected however, or at least not one within the seconds of the questioning, Paavu puts away the morning star and just grab whatever goblin is within immediate reach, hoisting them up into the air so that were on eye level with him. Any attempt at violence from the cretin is met with a headbutt, or painful crushing of shoulder and limb until the cease their strugges.

In either scenario he says still in [goblin], "This one in charge. This one speaks for lot. This one will use rope and tie up other goblins here in way they cannot run or slip free. Paavu will then inspect ties. If tie finding wanting-" He eyes the selected goblin. "Paavu kill Goblin, and give other same task. Understood? Do well, and maybe we make sure you not slave after this. But you must be good. Stay tied up and not alert others. Also... what is this... What is your name?" He gestures to the designated goblin. As they are answer, he pulls out his silk rope(the hempen one still with Dot), and hands it to the leader to begin the process.

Any goblin that did not comply or even tried to look sly about things, he only warns them once with a cuff upside the head. There would be no second time.

While Paavu was making the Goblins dig their own graves tie themselves up Rose was translating Cirrus words with big friendly smile. After all if you couldn't threaten to burn someone alive with a smile on your face then were you really doing it right?. Once the Goblins were finally tied and properly frightened to move, Rose would take the scroll offered to her with a bow and inspect it. Why yes. I do believe this may come in handy in the not so distant future. Maybe I should use the scroll to tell me for sure. Rose chuckles at own poor joke before thanking Cirrus and heading over to check on Ja'Ree. I thought cats always landed on their feet? Rose gives him a few nudges of the elbow, once again being far to rough. Haha, well...let's pretend we didn't see tha-ow....

So shall we continue on? Assuming those bindings are too your liking Paavu?

Everyone more or less agreed with Burgee's suggestion, and next came the steps towards bringing it to fruition. Cirrus stepping up first, as Paavu reluctantly took the backseat if only to see how Cirrus was going to perform. Speaking and searching the room with Rose translating in the meantime. The western portion of this large hall ends in a wall of rubble, but the remainder is still intact. This must once have been the castle’s banquet hall, with a soaring ceiling twenty-five feet high. Two large wooden tables with plain benches stand in the middle of the room, and a brass brazier full of glowing coals is tucked into one corner. Dirty dishes, half-full stewpots, moldy heels of bread, and gnawed bones cover the tables.

Cirrus seeking something... anything as he explores the crumbled wall first. [Goblin] W-We not try anything, we swear! We no tell anyone! They hurt us too if they see we fail! they said, in response to Cirrus' threats, as he plays a little trick on them, one with the threat of immolation should they break their word. Their eyes going wide, and looking over at the cookpot. This draws Cirrus' attention to the firepit.... Taking a gander beneath the tables as he passes them once his caltrops had been properly set.

Paavu, frustratedly steps in, feeling Cirrus' way wasn't... threatening enough. Cirrus following where the eyes of the goblins had led in the meantime. As Paavu begins making demands, all the group can do is stare at each-other in terror and confusion, as none of them was any sort of 'leader' and they had all watched him pummel their mother to death....  and a moment later, Paavu grabs the nearest one by the straps of it's leather apron, lifting it up. [Goblin] Err, uhm... Name Piyuvs'hit Will do as ask! Please, no hurt! Let go, so can do! ...Please! Cirrus, likely taking pity on the goblin, though unable to understand what was being said, he could tell by its tone it was in terror, and as he knealt down just moments before to inspect the firepit beneath the cooking pot, the momentary distraction to his investigation just enough for him to slip, pushing his hand against it to catch himself, the boiling water flowing out into the corner.... but with nowhere else to go, washes back, over the fire and over Cirrus' shins, toes, hands, and lower-forearms, scalding them badly before the chill of winter and the dispersion of heat could cool it enough.

Gwen leaping out of the way, and after seeing the scalding water hiss against Cirrus' body, all she can do is flinch and hiss herself, empathizing immediately in that moment, as her face turns to pity at the scene... Oh my gosh.. Are you allright?!

Singing his skin through is robe. The boiling water thinning.. thinning.... almost reaching Rose and the rest before becoming simply too thin to be a threat. In that moment of agonizing heat pain, Cirrus see's the pot roll around, the goblins momentarily distracted by the scene... He see's that the pots stirring rod... wasn't a stirring rod at all.......

The goblins, the immediate distraction over, all line up to be tied up. Piyuv' taking extra care to bind them all properly, but the rope is only enough to tie five of them up before running out.

Cirrus takes the weird stirring rod. And, in an attempt to remain threatening to the goblins, takes out his clockwork amulet, points at it, points at the caltrops, points back at his amulet, points at the caltrops, points at his eyes, points at the goblins. "*ahem* so, where to next? I have no idea what the layout of this castle is so I'm going completely blind."

Rose walks over to Cirrus and looks him over confused. You...sure did take that scalding hot water like a champ...Good on you! Rose gives him one her patented too hard slaps on the back. Anyway we no nothing about the layout either really. Say anyone got anymore rope? Would hate to have to start executing prisoners because we lack enough rope!

Although Paavu had at least glanced over upon hearing Gwen's outcry, he couldn't be bother to stay attentive to the accident upon seeing the Genasi brush off... whatever happened there. "No need. They can go sleep sleep. 'cept you." He gestures to the leader. "You will come with us. Be guide. Do good. Be rewarded with more than just staying alive." Paavu adds in [goblin]. The statement made, he brushed aside Piyuvs'hit to step up to the others. "Have choice. You knock each other out. Or Paavu knock out. Don't worry--" He cracks his knuckles. "Paavu be gentle. Unless you now where more rope Paavu can use?" That last part actually came out almost sounding... polite in [goblin].

Once the matter of the goblins is settled one way or another, Paavu pulls up his guide again by the apron and asks in [goblin], "Two things first. One. You know who and how many still in castle. And two. Where are supplies kept?" 

"Burgee has rope," then Kenku sqwaks. He reaches into his bag pulling out another 50' piece of rope and handing it to Piyuv.  He nods to Paavu so he can relay the message to keep tying. 

Burgee looks at Cirrus with the stirring stick after just moments ago having scalding liquid pour down upon him. "The water didn't hurt? You ok?" Burgee asks the blue one. He gets a questioning look in his eye, shrugs, then he looks around the room to help Cirrus finish his search. "Not sure what you're after, but will lend a birds eye," he says as he assists the search. (Investigation: 14)

After taking a quick look around, Burgee sits at the kitchen table for a moment, pulls out a pen and paper and starts scratching lines to and fro. When finished, he stands and shows the drawing to the group. "Burgee knows where we've been," he says in response to Cirrus asking about a map. He looks at the rest of the group and asks, "Now question is where are we going? Shall we gather the others and get back to town? The exit looks clear and feel the Dwarf should be returned to safety." 

Cirrus begins taking his nice coat off to keep it safe from what dangers they may face going forward. He then responds to the questions of if he's okay by saying "I've felt worse," and lifting up his shirt, revealing a nasty scar that looks like the image under the spoiler, but it's on his right side, not his left (and he has blue skin, obviously). After showing that off, he will begin putting on a set of red studded leather armor. "I concur with Burgee, this place seems pretty quiet with most of the attention being drawn outside of the castle. I think with all of us together we should be able to keep Gundren safe should we encounter anything with ill intent."

Piyu looks at Paavu, and a wave of fear courses through their body. [Goblin] I-I-I... Mean no disrespect, but Piyuvs'hit is only one not tie up .. who is alive.... You kill mother.... and evil boss.... is just us.. .No more rope need.... she raises her hands as if expecting a blow, flinching down, becoming smaller.... But when one didn't come, and instead she was pulled away after a moment of that realization sinking in.. Burgee would put away his rope once more, as it was no longer. And all of the ties would pass inspection if Paavu went through with it. If anything, they looked too tight.

Burgee then lending a hand to Cirrus in his search, but finds the room bereft of anything not cooking or eating related. Plates, the stew that was now on the floor, moldy bread, broken utensils, etc. Burgee could tell however, that the stirring rod was a bit ..large. And felt like it had a pulse of the weave within it.

There were three exits to the room you were all in - The crumbled path that the Goblins had tried to escape through, the door to the north, and the way you came in.

Gwen, reluctantly leans down to the goblin that Paavu had crushed, and takes its crude scimitar, and the crossbow, as well as the ammo. Indeed. What's our next step? As much as I want to leave as quickly as possible before they come back, we've yet to find the Map Gundren wanted.... And I have a feeling he'll be .. stubborn.

Cirrus, who was just recently shunted through a wormhole and is playing a bit of catch up, speaks up, "Sorry, what's this about a map?"

Rose walks over to the crumbled pass, trying to see where the Goblins had tried to run off to. Aye, Gundren had a map with him. Says its his lifes work. Seemed keen on getting it back before leaving and we agreed. Assuming the Drow that was torturing him didn't take it with her that is. Why don't we head down this path amd see were it goes.

Paavu did indeed inspect the ties, as had been his wish. "You care a great deal about these lot?" He asked in [goblin] to Piyu, gesturing to the rope before giving one a little tug, show casing the tightness. "Or is it own life that inspired such thoroughness?" Both these things he asked in the tongue without an ounce of judgement to his voice. Regardless of the answer, hearing the others question about next step, he sighs heavily and holds his head.

"Some with excuse. Others like fish when it come to memory." He muttered darkly underbreathe before shuffling Piyu around so he held around the mid-section under his arm. "It is lil' flower and her... friend?" He gives the two a questioning look, but shook his head, not really caring all to much before briskly carrying on. "Double check for map. And make sure returning hobgobs here have bad winter. Hope is they too busy fight each other to aid Drow and allies. Worst case, we need come back and finish job.... or Paavu do alone, if need be. Not like leaving job half done. Even if the killing is but extra. Paavu not like sloppy work." He reminds for the second time for at least Burgee's sake.

"Admittedly, stay for longer still for lil' flower's friend's sake. But seen in action... we not need to stay for too much longer. We finish search. Maybe recover their things, as well as anything else stolen. Then we go." He doubles down on before looking to the goblin under his arm. "You... still come with Paavu. For now. Could need help understanding area... Also, Paavu would have more words with you... about Mother... about future." On that note, he looks back to the path Rose suggested(presumably the crumbled path to the South West), and after a quick word to Burgee to move the fog out of the area, takes point on checking out the area.

Gwen nodded, at Rose, looking in the general direction she had began to head, and seeing Paavu seeming to lean towards the same direction. Down the crumbled hallway it is! I wonder what secrets this place could really have? I mean it's an old fort, I've never heard of, taken over by ...  she looks around, making sure that Lark isn't nearby Disgusting goblinoids... No offense to our friend. After what happened though, I have a right to dislike them, don't I moonbeam? she said, seeking justification for her comments and feelings on the matter.

Burgee doing just that, and shifting the fog so they could see ahead of themselves, while obscuring the area ahead of them. Pushing into the next room... It's.. eerily empty. The southwest tower of the castle is little more than a heap of rubble. Several ragged bedrolls are scattered across the remaining floor space, and a small, twisting passage leads east through the ruins where everyone just came from. Several straw pillows and more ragtag blankets  lay on the floor.  Even the most passive of investigations reveal the area is used for little more than another resting room.

Piyu responding, but not looking at Paavu. Everyone but cooks and shaman gone.... Maybe Shaman musician too... no no for sure. And Piyu care for self and family. Yerg steal us from clan, make us cook for Grol.. If not do, he kill and feed us to Grol.... This room is where all us sleep.... Corner room is just archer post.... but they gone for now. All march out when Grol say to.... If not for us be cook.. they make us go too.

Room to n..norf is big hello hall. Broken door.... Past that is storing room for food and stuff... and barracks for hobbers. Maglubiyet worship in northern hall in middle.... she goes on to describe the areas you've already been to, not knowing you have.

The fog moving further towards the true 'front door' and engulfing the entire space as everyone enters the 'bedroom' corner.

Not realizing that Gwen was looking to Rose for assurance, Cirrus interjects, "Absolutely ma'am! I understand your position more than anyone here. You would not believe the amount of pain I have endured at the hands of goblin kind!" It sounds like there's more than one story behind that statement, but you would guess that at least one of them involved that nasty scar on his torso. 

Investigation: 14

Rose thinks on Gwen's words as well as Cirrus' own comments on the matter before weighing in. I can understand why you both dislike the goblins, but Lark is a cut of different cloth. He is not like his brethren and he is aware of it. In fact he reminds me a of a certain Drow in a way. I admit I have no love for the dark elves, as my reaction to finding one of the cursed elves here shows. For those of you who know your history, you might remember the war of the Silver Marches, led in part by Drow forces as well as orcs giants and dragons. The war left Silverymoons reputation in the muck with the surrounding Dwarven cities. Even to this day there are tensions between my people and the Dwarves and are status in the Lords Alliance has waned. But you might also remember that victory in that war was due, in part, to a Drow who did not believe in the evil ways of his people. While the Drow and Goblin kind have earned their evil reputations, people like Drizzt and Lark remind us that there is a spark of good in everyone. We just need to turn that spark into a flame. Unfortunately that's not always possible and people suffer for it. So yes, both you're feelings are justified, but you should still keep in mind that there are plenty of humans, elves, genasi amd halfling who would have done equally horrible things if not worse to you if they had something to gain from it. So long as we remember to snuff out the ones we know are evil, then we are on the right path. 

With her monologue and history lesson out of the way, Rose gives the room a quick look to confirm the map isn't here before following Paavu to whatever room he wishes to go to next. 

Paavu is only half-listening to the story going on behind himself, as most of his focus needed to be on the forefront and Piyu. With faint absent-minded nods, he accept the explanation as they came before finally looking down to Piyu. "And those archer taken... or any goblins that left.... are they clan to? Are they forced to work for Grol. And now, to soon work for hobs and any other bugbears that were here?" He asked of Piyu. Once he had his answer(even if the answer is only silence) after at least waiting a minute, he just nods, appearing understanding and perhaps even a little sympathetic before directing Burgee to have the fog cover the broken doors of the entrway as the group made their way across to the other side.

At which point he'd make sure he's at least the first past the door to the far north of the castle, ready to soak any surprise attacks, very, VERY unlikely though they may be. Once secure in the knowledge of relative safety, he'd look to the others with an almost expectant look. And if none caught on, he sighs and says, "We search more thoroughly. Hobs more likely to keep things. Maybe things even in storage area that's not just food."

Ugh, Burgee mumbles under his breath as he shrugs. Dwarf and his map, he thinks but then falls in behind Paavu and keeps the fog just ahead of them to deter any that may spring out from a hiding spot. He keeps his eyes sharp as they walk through tho the other sections of the castle in case the map, or the Drow, may have found a good hiding place, but nothing seems to stand out. (Investigation: 5)

Burgee listens to Rose's story which rings true enough. In his time on the sea he'd met plenty of humans and other types too that were just as rotten to the core as any goblin he'd ever come across. He adds into her conversation, "Rose speaks the truth, evil does not limit itself to one group, nor does the light. I've seen my share of both."

He continues on looking around but ready to get back to the others. "I agree with the searching," he says softly, "but do you think that drow wench is still around? If I was her, I would be long gone from this castle. Unless there is something darker keeping her here." And as that though arose in his mind, he shivered a bit. He looked back at Cirrus. There was the mention of the Black Spider.  Was that the drow that they let loose? Or could she have a more sinister leader? "What about the black spider that the blue guy mentioned? Think we've more to uncover here?"