Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn

Kess would stand sentinel, keeping watch, hands always constantly on her scimitar hilts.

Perception: 15

Although Krackle may not know much about the world, nonetheless, he digs into his own memory and realizes that by their blue eyes, large builds and black-haired braids and beards, these two men look like they could possibly members of one of the Uthgardt barbarian tribes.

Krackle

Kess stands watch at the entrance to the north hallway, keeping her eyes and ears alert for any sign or sound of movement. Fortunately, all seems quiet right now...

Krackle would gasp and then quickly move towards his companions and out of earshot of the two injured men. "Guys... I think I know who they are... I heard stories about strong scary raiders with eyes and hair like theirs. I don't think they are friendly men... I think they are from the... U...UTHG...UTHGARDT barbarian tribes from the north.  Maybe If I am extra nice I can turn them into friendly men though.." The tiny kobold would ponder as his look of concern turns to excitement as he turns and bounces off towards the injured men. "Are you both still hungry or thirsty? I might have a little more food to eat." He would say as he makes his way towards them. 

Lumen hd roll: 6

He'll see if the two men know any orcish, asking them how they got here and why the goblins were riding them. Then to the rest of the party:

"So what's the plan here, folks? Should we count the number of goblins we've seen and the number of beds to try to figure out if there's a whole mess of them left waiting for us?"

"I think that's a good plan."

In total, you count about 20 mats, although it’s tough to get an accurate number, since some of them are larger piles of straw and canvas that would sleep two or three goblin sized creatures. However, you figure that it’s no less than 20.

The two naked humans continue to look at you all, especially Krackle as he continues to try and speak to them. The clearly don’t understand anything that he says, and as Lumen approaches them as well and inquires about how they got here, he’s also met with blank stares that would indicate that they don’t understand orc speak either. They do seem to perk up a bit when Krackle says the word “Uthgardt,” although it doesn’t generate much response; for the most part, they just appear bruised, beaten and utterly exhausted to the point of being almost in a state of shock.

Moving next to Krackle, Chrys observes the two men and responds to what he says about who they might be. ”Uthgardt, you say!? I knows a thing or two about Uthgardt, and most of it ain’t nice. They ain’t outright evil like orcs and goblins, but ya sure don’t want to run into a group of ‘em when yer on the road. I don’t know much about the different tribes, but Uthgardt are barbarians and most of ‘em ain’t to keen on havin’ good dealings with peaceful, civilized folk. Would rather romp around on the tundra and rob others if’s they get the chance. So yea, they ain’t necessary evil, just opportunity and people who think they’d better’n most other folk.”

”Still, nobody deserves to be kidnapped by goblins, beaten, and kept like animals. Not even Uthgardt. I don’t know what these two fella’s have done outside o’ here, but the right thing to do is ta feed ‘em, give ‘me somethin’ ta wrap up in and get ‘em safely outta here. After that, I don’t know... Either way, they ain’t gonna be able ta go anywhere until they get at least a good few hours o’ rest.”

Chrys then reaches into her pack and pulls out a hunk of stale bread and some dried fruit and offers it to the two men. They extend their weakened, bruised arms and gladly accept the gift. "Let’s give ‘em some water, Krackle. Ya got some handy?”

Kess would take advantage of the relative calm to inspect her weapons, a bit amazed at how well she's been serving her comrades in combat. Wouldn't want her scimitars to chip or crack at the worst time possible.

"I already gave them my waterskin" Krackle would reply with a look of concern. "Maybe if they need more.. we can get some water from that pool in the other room if it is safe?" He would say was he rubs his chin.

“That’s probably enough water, though here’s some more dry rations if they want to eat it slowly. We should probably look around a bit more before following the goblins. Make sure they haven’t doubled back behind us to surprise us. Are we ready to get moving?”

Kess has still remained sentinel in the hallway, waiting for word from her companions.

"I'm ready" Krackle would reply back excitedly. He would then begin moving in the direction indicated by Lumen, scampering ahead with his dirk in one hand and his tiny staff in another.

(If my math is right, we've encountered 10 out of a possible 20 goblins here)

Vesper follows behind Chrys.

With your much needed short rest complete, you get up, hide the two men back behind the broken furniture, gather your belongings and proceed down the north hallway again. The air feels still and silent, and you hear nothing coming from down the corridor. After about 40 feet, you arrive at the door that sits in the left wall again, and you see the hallway that extends to the right about 20 feet ahead. And as you saw before, the main passage continues beyond your range of darkvision.

Right now, Chrys is in the lead, with Kess just behind. 

Having taken the hint to follow behind the rest when she heard the party's gear rustling in the chamber nearby to rise up and continue.

Uthgardt Barbarians... Kess was no expert on the various barbarian tribes and ethnic groups that lived throughout the North of Faerun, but if these men were anything like those from the Tribes of the Elk and Seal back in her homeland that her mother had occasionally traded word and goods with, it spoke of the malicious craftiness of these goblins. Men of the wilds were no lackadaisical folk, and for these cruel goblins to have managed to subdue and torture two of them was no laughing matter.

Kess grimaced to herself, licking her tongue out onto her lips within the cold dark of the mine. She couldn't help but shake the feeling that this was a bit too organized and complicated for these goblins to have done on their own, but she had no proof. Theory, that's all it was, at this point... theory.

Theory, and a growing sense of dread as the darkness continued to meet them all around. She felt bad for the two human men they'd discovered in the prior chamber; while humans were not to be underestimated, the race's firm grip to mortality was well-known; humans were largely rendered helpless in the dark, relying only on magic, instinct and hearing within the blackness. She did not envy those men, beaten and naked as they were.

"We're starting to get awfully deep into this mine," Kess would whisper softly as she slowly crept up behind the rest of the group, her gaze slowly sweeping first behind then in front of the group, elven ears at attention. "Let's take care not to lose track of our direction; if we're not careful, we may well end up wandering into the Underdark. Or worse yet, horrors from below may inquire upon what pays a visit from the world above. That... and it's awfully quiet."

Perception: 7
Stealth: 18

"Fortunately, ya got a dwarf in yer ranks," Chrys says over her shoulder, "and if there's one thing we're good at besides bashin' goblins, it's not gettin' lost underground. I been keepin' a mental map in my head, so I'll do my best to keep us on track down here. As for what we might meet in this her temple, yer guess is as good as any. An' let's hope the tunnel doesn't lead to The Underdark..."

Kessdarra

Krackle would keep his eyes peeled as he followed along his companions.

Perception 4
Stealth 17

Kess would quickly zip towards the front of the line as quickly as she could, quietly tugging on Chrys' shoulder and pressing a finger to her lips, before leaning in to whisper into the dwarf's ear.

"I heard something... goblins, further down the hall. That nasally, squeaky pitch is unmistakable."

OOC: Apologies for the lack of posting -- I'm a bit lost directionally - here's the last map, correct? Did we want to loop around from another direction so we're not trying direct pursuit and walking into certain ambush?

Lumen says quietly after Kess' warning, "they're expecting us, and have plenty of time to prepare to receive us from this direction. Should we try to come from another direction, assuming these rooms connect, and we can try the west or south entrance out of the banquet hall to loop around from another direction?"

Chry's short rest hit dice: 10

OOC:  We're travelling down the north hallway from the banquet room. Ideally going south to cover our "backs" would be nice, but I think with a goblin pressure on us from the north, our best bet is to cut into the western door we're standing right next to and make sure that area is secure.  If it is, then maybe watch the hall and see if any goblins come out to search for us, perhaps ambush *them* from that room we're in?

Chrys nods and points at the door to her left.  "Let's go in here.  We've got too many unexplored holes at our backs, and we know there's somethin' up ahead.  I don't like chargin' in without a clear path o' retreat if things go south, so I say we start with this here door."

Quickly, Chrys checks the door for any sign of an obvious trap, then looks back at the others, preparing to push or pull it open when they're ready to move.

Investigation, door, for traps: 2

Lumen will also take a look at the door, investigation: 7