GOBLIN HEXER:
CHES 28th (The Claw of Sunsets – 1492 DR)
00:30 am
The Goblin Hexer can see the Rogue Halfling and Merf Palmer can see that there is no clear path to the Goblin Hexer and that he needs to find another way up to them.
Zarek, having just reached the bottom of the stairs leading up to the Religious Building, takes a brief look within the building. The Rogue Sage is able to recall reading of this and remembers the Deities symbol, as they are all about the chamber, green living oak leaves.
Zarek: “I remember them now.” The Sage thinks to himself.
A shrine to Silvanus.
Silvanus was the Faerûnian god of nature, and one of the oldest and most prominent gods in the pantheon. Formerly considered only the god of wilderness and Druids, the Forest Father was often seen as the wilder counterpart to Chauntea the Earthmother. He stood for the notion that the untamed state was the state of nature that should be. His regular worshiper base consisted of explorers, travellers in wild areas, and denizens of rural areas.
The Rogue assess his chances of reaching the Goblin Hexer, and Goblin Archers on the roof, and he also spots the Trapdoor and stained-glass windows.
Zarek: Access to the roof as they have taken up the ladder and I have a fair change of climbing up the wall but I need to have access. I will need to somehow smash the glass panes closest to the wall.”
That is when the Rogue standing on the bottom step spot a flash of moving green pass by and he just spots it from out of the corner of his eye. The Goblin Hexer was jumping from an adjacent room and onto the small building that housed the Goblin Warriors and by the ‘Grease’ Spell cast by said the Goblin Hexer.
Zarek: “Look here, the Goblin Hexer has jumped and is on the roof out here.”
The remaining Goblin Archers were ordered to fire at Zarek, hoping to wear him down before they attempted to capture him.
Goblin Leader: “kherek nor, gever vaza.”
The Tiefling Rogue is missed by the mobile Goblin Archers in the Wagon, but the Goblin Archers on the Shrine to Silvanus roof both hit and do server damage to our Hero. Zarek realises that he will need to consume the second of Oli ‘The Actors’ ‘Potion of Healing’ as soon as he can.
Alley, having reached the wall below the Goblin Leader begins to climb it and quietly as she possibly can, all the while keeping a close eye on the Goblin Hexer whenever possible.
The 2 Goblin Warriors in the Horse Buggies by the stables continue to converse with the mysterious figure, this is miss by all 3 Adventurers.
The 5 Goblin Archers, that were situated on top of the tall Tower, all make their way down to the Square.
Merf Palmer can see that he needs to act fast and draws forth his ‘Raven’s Dagger’ as he plans to throw it at the Goblin Hexer, teleport next to it and then attack it, or at the very least be right next to it.
The Halfling Rogue throws his precious Raven’s Dagger at the Goblin Hexer, expecting it to hit allowing him to teleport right next to them. However, the Dagger files straight through the Goblin Hexer and lands several feet beyond them.
Merf Palmer can do no more than continue with his ‘Teleport’ and he appears some 10’ feet from the Goblin Hexer.
Merf Palmer: “Brandobaris curse me for my foolishness, it is an Illusion and I am now on this roof.”
With all his effort, Merf Palmer can now see that the actual Goblin Hexer is still on the roof of the Shrine to Silvanus.
Merf Palmer: “And with Brandobaris’ help, I can make it back to the Shrine to Silvanu’s rooftop edge if I make the jump.”
Merf Palmer races to the edge of the building that he was standing on and leaps to the adjacent building, incorporating a half twist and full flip as he did, dashes across that building and ends up on the edge of the Shrine to Silvanus.
The Orcs are next to act and those that can once again fire at the Tiefling Rogue, at the bottom of the stairs to the Shrine to Silvanus, and he take more damage though most of the arrows fired at him by the Goblin Archers did miss.
Zarek: “Thank Tymora for her protection and may she be following Alley in her endeavours too. As for me, I need to reach the roof, heal myself or seek shelter at the very minimum.”
The Tiefling Rogue enters the Shrine to Silvanus and inspects the surrounding, first though he takes Oil ‘The Actors’ ‘Potion of Healing’ before he begins his investigations.
Once he had regained his health, Zarek spots the dead Half-Orc on the floor of the Shrine to Silvanus and he decides to search them first. The Tiefling Rogue can see that it was a male, Half-Orc Priest of Silvanus. He carried no weapons, magic or much coin leading the Tiefling Rogue to think he was a lowly acolyte, possibly preparing the Shrine to Silvanus for the next days early prayers.
Zarek: “I know, I will close and Bar the doors into the Shrine to Silvanus as this will allow me more time to think and act.”
The Heroes of the Field Ward then looks about for a heavy implement, finds a ball shaped incense bowl on the floor and throws it at the Stained-Glass Windows in the celling, closet to the back wall. He manages to smash two of the 4 panes and the broken glass falls to the ground below.
The Tiefling Rogue moves to the doors, closing them both and placing the locking bar in place.
With no more time, the Tiefling Rogue moved towards the back of the Shrine to Silvanus for a closer look at the Trapdoor and stained-glass windows in the ceiling.
The Goblin Warriors dash to the closed doors to the Shrine to Silvanus and once there, they attempt to force then open, with little luck.
The noise of Horse drawn carts and Wagons can also be heard riding past.
Goblin Hexer is still on the roof of the Shrine to Silvanus and casts a Spell which affects both the Tiefling Rogue, in the shrine below them, and the Halfling Rogue standing on the edge of the building. Zarek is able to resist the Spell, knowing he was targeted, but not by who or what Spell. Merf Palmer is not as lucky as he fails and is bathed in bright green light which envelops him and leaves him as a shinning target for all the Goblins.
Merf Palmer is shot at, and hit, by the Goblin Archers as he stands on the edge of the building glowing bright green due to the ‘Faerie Fire’ Spell cast at him by the Goblin Hexer.
The Goblin Archers from the Tall Tower dash across the Square and join the other Goblin Warriors, who had taken out their Scimitars and began smashing the doors themselves.
Finally, the Goblin Archers on the Ramparts moved towards the Goblin Hexer, while the Goblin Leader and his guard descend from their turret and reach the Ramparts. All the enemies had finished advancing and this allowed the Rogue Halfling to act.
00:32 am
Merf Palmer is next and he once again casts his favourite Spell, ‘Thunderwave’. He is able to target the 3 Goblin Archers and the Goblin Hexer. However, the Goblin Hexer and 1 Goblin Archer are able to resist the Spells full effects and they are only damage by the thunderous damage caused by the Spells effect.
Merf Palmer is alarmed once more that the Goblin Hexer once again appeared to not be critically damaged by the Spell.
Merf Palmer: “This guy is a lot tougher than he looks.”
The good news was that the Halfling Rogue was able to fully damage 2 of the Goblin Archers. One he launched down into the Shrine to Silvanus and it was killed as a result.
Zarek: “What in the Nine Hells was that, a dead Goblin and a thunderous sound, it’s that Halfling.”
Whilst the second Goblin Archer was lobbed down, off the Shrine to Silvanus, and onto the unsuspecting head of a Goblin Warrior below. More dead Goblins.
First thing that the Goblin Hexer does is to take out a potion of a Red Liquid which glitters as he drinks it. A large smile appears on his face as he looks directly at the Halfling.
The Goblin Hexer casts a Spell, ‘Blindness/Deafness’, at the Tiefling Rogue but is unsuccessful as Zarek is able to withstand his Magic.
The Goblin Archers on the battlements dashed out of the tower and made their way to the roof of Shrine to Silvanus as commanded by the Goblin Leader who had made his way down too, preceded by his personal guard.
The Goblin Archers at the front doors of the Shrine to Silvanus continued their attacks on it with their Scimitars. The doors begin to splinter.
The Wagon with the Goblin Archers drive around and stop side on to the of Shrine to Silvanus in the Square.
Finally, the Xanathar Wagon, containing the unconscious body of Krebbyg Masq’il’yr, is commandeered by the Goblin Warriors and they drive it around towards the battlements and under the location of the Goblin Leader.
Next the Tiefling Rogue make a dash for the wall and climbs up onto the roof of the Shrine to Silvanus. Once there he elects to fire at the Goblin Archer on the roof, conveniently close to the Halfling Bard/Sorcerer/Wizard, Zarek was still not sure what he was. Finally, Zarek moves up on the creates by the Halfling Bard/Sorcerer/Wizard and the Goblin Hexer.
Merf Palmer then draws his Rapier, and he already had his Raven’s Dagger in hand, and he launches his attack on the Goblin Hexer. He strikes with the Rapier doing considerable damage and then thrusts at the Goblin Hexer with his Magical Raven’s Dagger, whilst activating its ‘Raven’s Smite’ ability.
The Goblin Hexer has taken too much of a pounding and he falls back of the roof and onto the battlements below.
Merf Palmer: “Daddy, finish ze other off, I am going to kill the Goblin Leader.”
Zarek is left to attempt to kill the remaining 3 Goblin Archers on the roof, and one climbing the wall up, as he watches the Halfling acrobatically jump down onto the battlements and dash away.
Zarek: “I think he is showing-off in front me, I’m not sure if he is a friend or foe and I will hold my opinion on that for now.”
The Goblin Archers on the roof of the Shrine to Silvanus fire to kill the Halfling and wing the Tiefling. All 3 Goblin Archers miss their targets.
The doors to the Shrine to Silvanus are finally hacked enough for the bar to be lifted but it was too little, too late. Besides there was no ladder for them to use.
Zarek: “My time to shine.”
Suddenly Alley appears on the battlements, right next to the Goblin Leader.
Alley (Elven): “I am here Zarek, strike now as I have made it easier for you to hit, as you always ask from me.”
As her new Scimitar flashes towards his head. A killing blow if there ever was one. However, the cunning Goblin Leader was able to grab onto one of his Goblin Bodyguards and drag him into the path of the shinning death stroke, a move obviously much practiced. The Goblin Bodyguard is disembowelled instantly.
Then the Bard strikes out at the Goblin Boss with her Dagger but is unable to hit her mark.
However, Zarek is able to act and manages to acrobatically climb down the wall and dash along the edge of the battlements and all whilst avoiding the Goblin Archers in his way. Once in front of the Goblin Boss, the Tiefling Rogue attacks with the aid of his comrade Alley’s presence next to him and he cuts his to within an inch of his life. However, he still lives.
The Wagon with the Goblin Archers, and the unconscious body of Krebbyg Masq’il’yr, stays below the battlements, unable to see what was going on.
Meanwhile, the Goblin Warriors are entering the Shrine to Silvanus looking for a way up.
Merf Palmer is then left to deal with the odd Goblin Archer on the Battlements as he looks on at the Rogue and Bard as they engage the Goblin Leader.
The enraged Goblin Leader then lashes out at Alley and Zarek with two quick slashes of his bright Scimitar. The Bard is cut but the Rogue is able to avoid the blade.
Merf Palmer climbs down onto the Battlements and kills of a Goblin Archer.
Merf Palmer: “Maybe we should capture the Goblin Leader and interrogate him to find out who’s after you both.”
Merf Palmer’s words fall on deaf ears as the Heroes of the Filed Ward are not use to a third member of their Adventuring Parry.
Goblin Warriors then start to climb up the wall, inside the Shrine to Silvanus, and 2 make their way up and onto the roof.
The Wagon with the Goblin Archers, and the unconscious body of Krebbyg Masq’il’yr, holds its ground below the battlements.
Then things became very chaotic indeed.
00:35 am
Alley: “This is our chance to try and escape, there are too many Goblins and there may be more hidden. We need to recover the Wagon with Krebbyg Masq’il’yr, as we fought too hard to lose this bargaining chip, and I think I can drive us out while they have stretched their forces. Tymora favour me with your luck.”
Alley strikes out at the Goblin Leader and hit her mark. However, unlike the bloodthirsty Halfling, she intends to knock him out and leave him for the Filed Ward to deal with, hopefully members of the Crooked Moon Clan would rush aid him and leave the heroes with an escape window.
Then the Bard Dashes off along the Battlement and dives off backwards as she effortlessly twists and lands in the back of the Wagon with the 3 Goblin Archers, and the unconscious body of Krebbyg Masq’il’yr.
The Tiefling Rogue, not wanting to be outdone by the Acrobatic Halfling and Bard Show-off, believes he would be able to pick-up the unconscious body of the Goblin Boss, place him on his shoulder, run up onto the creates along the Battlements and then jump onto a move Wagon, which was full of Goblin Archers, Alley and the unconscious body of Krebbyg Masq’il’yr.
Tymora (Goddess of Good Luck): “Fortune favours the bold, I like this one.”
Even though his belief was high, the task was too great and though he did make it onto, and along, the Battlements, his strength gave out on him as the body of the Goblin Leader slipped from his shoulder and the Tiefling Rogue had to leap unburdened and that my have been a good thing after all.
As the Wagon raced through the Square, the Goblin Archers on the Wagon attacked Alley and Zarek, while the driver attempted to mauver the Wagon back towards the stables.
Merf Palmer’s realises that he needs to follow his newly acquired allies and so he also leaps off the Battlements and onto the back of one of the moving horses no less.
Alley: “Wow, his moves are incredible. How can someone so small throw himself about like that? I just hope he is one of the good guys.” The Bard thinks to herself as she sees the Halfling Rogue jump, twist and land like a cat, all be it a small one.
Zarek: “Take the reins Halfling, or cover us.”
Though he thinks that the Tiefling expects too much, having already saved their lives, Merf Palmer is able to dispatch of the Goblin Driver and makes another acrobatic manoeuvre to run along the Pole of the Wagon, grab the fallen reins and then onto the Wagons driver’s seat.
Now the Heroes of the Filed Ward, and Merf Palmer, work together to attempt an escape from the swarming Goblins of the Crooked Moon Clan.
Merf Palmer is tasked with recovering the reins and steer them and the wagon out via the way they drove in. The Halfling performs expertly, even though his horsemanship had been very limited.
Merf Palmer: “Not that I will be saying that to these two as all skills are valuable, and I do like Gold.”
Alley then calls out, in Elven, to Zarek and instructs him to deal with the Goblins pouring out from the Shrine to Silvanus.
Alley (Elven): “Zarek, deal with the Goblins in front of the Shrine to Silvanus and I will handle the Wagon and Goblins in front.”
Zarek: “How am I meant to do that Alley? Also, how on Faerûn do you think you will be able to take out 4 Goblin Archers, A Wagon and their horses?”
Alley: “With my Hypnotic beauty, now go, I trust in you.”
Zarek: “That will help immensely, I’m sure. How or what to do now if only I could create the Illusion of utter confidence like Alley… Wait a minute, Illusion!” The cleaver Rogue ponders.
The Tiefling Rogue then reaches into his side pocket and pulls out his ever handy ‘Deck of Illusions’.
Zarek: All I need now is for Tymora to shine her luck on me.”
The Tiefling Rogue stands up and flicks his chosen card as close to the Goblin Warriors, in the doorway to the Shrine to Silvanus, as possible and he see his chosen Illusion.
Fate had it that the card chosen was a Druid, very appropriate, given the Shrine to Silvanus being a Druid orientated religion, and the Tiefling Rogue added a few touches of his own.
With a ‘Minor Illusion’ Spell as you cannot manipulate the ‘Deck of Illusions’.
The Tiefling Rogue creates writhing Roots that burst out from the ground and surround and intimidate the Goblins.
The Goblin Warriors soon realise, and l that they had angered the guardian of the Shrine to Silvanus and they all begin to panic.
Finally, the Bard performs her part of the operation and cast her Spell ‘Hypnotic Pattern’. Unseen to the others Alley tosses a Silver Shard as she casts, then a twisting pattern of colours in a 30’ foot Cube within range, appears for a moment and vanishes. All 4 Goblins and the 2 Horses are enthralled by its affect. They stand still all peering into the distance.
Alley looks very pleased for herself as does Zarek.
Its at this point that Merf Palmer realises that there is a reason there are Teamsters and Carters in the world, people that trained to deal with multiple horses and a large heavy Wagon, both of which did not want to do what Merf Palmer was trying to do.
Merf Palmer struggled to keep the horses and Wagon under control and he lurches towards the way-out, make the Tiefling Rogue loose his footing and fall on the edge of the Wagon half in and half out. This would not be too much of a problem if it wasn’t for the edge of the stone Tower that was heading towards Zarek’s hanging head.
The Bard was able to brace herself and grab onto the side of the Wagon for balance.
Alley: “Hold on Zarek!”
Zarek: “What do you think I’m doing Alley.”
Merf Palmer: “Brandobaris help me, I hope that I have not helped out a pair of Adventurers with no money. Did I mentioned I love Gold?” The Halfling Rogue thinks to himself.
Knowing that he needed to do better the Halfling Rogue is able to pull on the reins and guide the Wagon and Horses past the Tower without a collision. Things look very bad and they swerve towards the Tower.
Zarek, not relying on the Halfling Rogue, also strains very muscle in his body in order to pull himself back up onto the Wagon. Then the Tiefling Rogue is able to cast his Spell ‘Silvery Barbs’ with lightning reactions and the incantation empowers the Halfling Rogue with the opportunity to try again, a blessing, while Zarek then chooses a Goblin Archer to fail in his next task, a curse.
Alley hugs Zarek and has a look of great relief.
Alley: “I thought you would die.”
Zarek: “I am fine Alley…”
Alley: “Well do not ever scare me again like that or I will kill you myself.”
Merf Palmer takes the Wagon past the Tower, the ‘Hypnotised’ Goblins and drove south towards Waterdeep proper.
As they were leaving, Merf Palmer, Alley and Zarek finally see the strange mysterious Man that was by the Stables as he galops past, heading for the area where the Goblin Hexer had cast his ‘Grease’ Spell of the road out of the Square.
Zarek: “Who was that, I did not get a clear view.”
Alley: “Male, Human, Dark features and a Black Cloak. I did not get a clear view either.”
Merf Palmer: “A medium-sized male human in his mid-40s. He has pale skin, black hair, and distinct and extreme burns covering the right side of his face. He was wearing a long black cloak and common dark clothing.”
Alley: “Keen are the eyes of the Halflings.”
Zarek: “Let us make for Trollskull Manor and rest and regroup. I think I know who, or what that was that rode away.”