Ba and Laughing Crane,
After backtracking your way out of the Sunless Citadel and making camp up on the grass overlooking the chasm, you get a reasonably good amount of sleep. There's a light rain in the early morning. If you hunt for food, you're able to find some small game. If you search for some berries or plants to eat, they're not far.
If you wish to spend enough time to heal to full hit points here, that's perfectly fine. Nothing will come up out of the citadel after you at this point.
You do realize that the kobolds owe you a debt for rescuing the wyrmling. And of course, your job to find the brother and sister is still outstanding. But isn't it a lovely day out here, under the sun?
What do you do?
Comments
"Laughing Crane, we should seek out the kobolds and learn what we can from them." I poke a stick into the camp fire and smoke and cinders billow out.
"I don't truest Yusdrayl but I think returning the dragon to Meepo earned us his... trust. We might learn something of worth from them. If we are to find the kids alive sooner is better than later."
"Agreed. Hopeful the tale of our strength will impress Yusdrayl enough that she will not try to betray us. She may even help us, but I think you're right about Meepo. Once more into the Citadel!"
Unless Ba has other ideas, I will head for the Kobold area.
Reminder:
A short throne stands near the west wall, constructed of fallen bits of masonry stacked against an old altar. A proud kobold female in red-dyed robes sits in the throne, and a force of six similar creatures guards her. The altar's top contains a variety of small items, while the portion of the altar that serves as the throne's back features a carving of a rearing dragon. A metallic key is held firmly in the rearing dragon's open mouth
Yusdrayl inclines her head in respect, "Welcome back, humies. Meepo feared that you died covering his escape." She peers down at you, her talons clicking on her throne, "I offered a reward of information on your humie friends, but Ashardalon did not grant it to you, it seems. However, the Great Dragon works in mysterious ways. Soon after Meepo returned, a band of goblins encroached our territory seeking to retrieve the dragon again, but we defeated them. After... some work on one of their survivors, she admitted that they have humie captives, and have been sending ransom notes to the closest humie town."
"Does the great and generous Yusdrayl know where we could find the humie captives?"
I give Yusdrayl a slight bow at neck level.
"Let's return to the northern rooms, Laughing Crane."
I am not convinced we are allies but it is a small gesture of courtesy. I feel certain Laughing Crane will keep up his grand performance. Once he has shown his gratitude we move quickly back to the goblin's side of these ruins.
I bow and back out.
After listening to the door for a couple minutes, you're able to hear goblins talking on the other side. They sound more alert than before. Evidently the beating they received recently put them on high alert.
If you want to try and sneak in, I'm going to say this is an Average (11) difficulty task. Success gives you a surprise round on the goblins (there are five of them crammed in there).
If you'd rather just charge, you'll get initiative, so go ahead and roll attacks, but then they will react in that round.
"We should sneak in," I whisper.
I draw and set my hook sword. I change up my crouching stance. My sword in my left hand I slowly inch the door open so that we can slide into the room.
#DiceRoller( 2d8+4 )
#DiceRoller( 2d8+1 )
However, just through bad luck more than anything else, one of the goblins stands up to scratch his back, facing the pair of you right as you're about to charge. He's partially protected by that half wall, but he sees you both. He lets out a surprised, "Urk!" then starts reaching for a weapon. The other four goblins are scrambling to mount a defense as well. One of them has a wicked looking crossbow, he's got his back against the far wall.
All 5 goblins are AC 6, 1HD
You guys have initiative, so let's see what happens.
riiiinggggg
"gou pi!" I curse under my breath.
I scream "By the Seven Gods and 42 Heroes! Attack!" and charge right into the midst of them.
Fu xia Mei teaches that once stealth fails, overawe your opponent. So that's what I'm trying.
Fray
#DiceRoller( 1d8 )
Damage (if needed):
#DiceRoller( 1d8 )
#DiceRoller( 1d20+7 )
Fray Dice:
#DiceRoller( 1d6 )2
Damage:
#DiceRoller( 1d8 )
However, I twist my blade and pull back. It slices deeply into the soft, pale green flesh just above his belt. The axes he was holding clatter to the ground as he clutches his side. Black ichor spills out between his fingers as he attempts to hold himself together and stop his insides from leaking.
I swing my sword overhead with both hands. "By Sri, I deliver you back into the darkness!" Crashing down, my sword''s edge bites deep into his neck and ends his misery quickly.
Goblin 1 attack (vs. Ba's AC +1 for attack bonus):
#DiceRoller( 1d20+6 )
Goblin attack (vs. LC's AC +1 for attack bonus):
#DiceRoller( 1d20+6 )
Crossbow goblin moves south into room 33, yelling and trying desperately to reload.
You can hear more goblins behind them in the next room. Surely they can't have an inexhaustible supply... right?
This question is punctuated with sword swipes, blows from my buckler and kicks to the goblin.
#DiceRoller( 1d20+9 )
Fray
#DiceRoller( 1d8 )
Damage (if needed):
#DiceRoller( 1d8 )
"I don't know... twenty? "I guess as I rush past him.
I'm chasing after the goblin fleeing into the other room. However, I know we need end this quick so I'll throw a dagger at him as I run after him.
#DiceRoller( 1d20+9 )
My attack might be -2 if the gob is more than 15' away,
Fray Dice:
#DiceRoller( 1d6 )
Damage:
#DiceRoller( 1d4+2 )
Both of you made it into room 33. As a reminder, here's where you've been, and where you're headed.
You hear goblins chattering back and forth from a couple rooms away, but they aren't charging in. Not yet. Seems like they're waiting for something. Could be setting up a trap.
What do you do?
"I've a bad feeling about this, my friend," I say, hoping that he will suggest otherwise.
I'll pick up the crossbow and whatever bolts.
I quietly walk over to the southernmost western door, the one we did examine last time we were in here. I'll crouch low and listen for a minute. Are there any sounds from the otherside? Or cracks in the door or lock I can peer through?
There are sounds on the other side, yes. No cracks in the door, but you hear hissing whispers in tones not unlike Meepo's,
"Hey, who's there?"
"We hear fightin."
"Let us out. It's Dogget."
I sheath my sword and pull out my lockpick tools.
"We have rescued Calcyrx and are friends to your brother, Meepo." I say through the door. "Keep quiet. We can let you free."
I'll set to opening the lock.