Blar: Crate Expectations

Log Info

• Title: Blar: Crate Expectations
• Emitter: Ashes
• Characters: Barclaiigh, Slixvah, Telamon, Zofija
• Place: Outside Blar
• Time: Monday, March 07, 2022, 12:51 PM
• Summary: The party was set to teleport into Blar from the Kultair Road Waystop to deliver a package. Though, such things are never concrete, as the teleport goes awry, and the group is dumped into the bottom of an abandoned military tower. Though, it's not abandoned. Goblins that have succumbed to some sort of sickness or disease attack the party. With them being so small, it's hard to get a bead on them, and the fight is a close one. With some tactics, quick thinking, and glitter, they're able to pull themselves out. Scatched, but alive. And what a long trek to Blar awaits for them...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=    The Players    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Barclaiigh         4'5"     202 Lb     Mountain Dwarf    Male      A thick tree-trunk of a dwarf. Wavy auburn hair, loose traveling clothe
Slixvah            5'8"     130 Lb     Eaglefolk         Female    A rust red and white Eglarin covered in veils, ribbons, and shawls.
Telamon            5'6"     140 Lb     Half-Elf          Male      A platinum-blond half-sil man with dancing dark eyes.
Zofija             5'8"     225 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A well-dressed Arvek-Nar with a big hammer.      
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ashes              5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face            
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

---

The Kultari Road Waystop

Originally a waystation and tavern.

Briefly a plague quarantine camp.

The Kultari Road Way Station has had a few different hats. Now it's serving as a teleportation hub. With the abjuration on Alexandria, the well-to-do that want to go somewhere fast are limited in their options. Most who can manage the spells on their own do so, although it's some distance from Alexandria before that's possible. A little further, and a group can teleport anywhere from the waystation. It's like queuing up to board an airship, but faster.

There's a puff of smoke and sparkles. A group vanishes. A mage takes a seat, an apprentice stands and gives directions. "Next group, departing for Blar. Please organize yourself on the circle. Ensure limbs and luggage are inside."

Telamon travels light, especially as these days it seems like he has more reason to stay close to home. A wry smile, as he shoulders his pack, his hip satchel closed and latched securely. He looks fairly unprepossessing, as he paces up onto the circle, brushing back his hair as he checks to make sure he's fully inside the apporting diagram.

An outrageously dressed Elagrin woman covered from head to toe in veils, shawls and ribbons steps into the circle, an excited bounce in her step. "I've never been to Blar," she quietly chitters to something on her person. It replies back in a muffled 'chirp chirp!' from one of the swoops of her attire. She giggles, nodding. "I know, sugar, I'm excited too!"

Blue eyes widen behind the veil across her beak. "Oh, hey handsome!" she greets to Telamon, her once injured wing giving a careful wave before it tucks back in behind her. "Fancy seeing you here!"

Still short a bear, Barclaiigh arrived on foot from the wilderness to the north. The Khazad-aul gave folks their space and spent the idle moments waiting for his go with his head down talking to himself. Called over, he perks up and bounces across the the short distance as he hikes up his belt.

The Khazad-aul's eye is still bruised and a bit on the lazy side, perpetually misty. He still manages a wide smile and a wave 'hello' of his sausage fingers when ranks begin to close in the circle. The edges of his finely-carved wooden breastplate seem to glow, ready to catch aflame at any moment.

"Alright, everyone move. Tight fit I know, but you heard the orders." Someone barks to the small group, before a large beast unceremoniously steps into the middle of the circle, pushing some of the people out of the way. What looks like a horse sized golden eagle, followed by the back half of a dark brown lion. It stops, and looks around, giving each a look with a bright yellow eye. It was quickly followed by a hobgoblin, who steps into the circle as well. "If you have never been to Blar before, then I want you on your best behaviour. Stand up straight and address any you come across with respect and dignity within reason." The Arvek-nar woman states.

"Yes," the apprentice says, walking around the circle and using the butt of a staff to ensure everything is within. "Does the griffon count as one or two?"

"Two," mage replies, standing, "We're at the limit. Stay inside the markings."

The eldrich ritual commences, arcane gestures and words. The lines of the circle glow, a fog fills a cylinder inside of it, encompassing all. It sparkles.

It goes dark.

There's a lurching sensation. The fading after image of a glowing circle.

It's still dark. There's a distant, "Ooops" as the voice of the mage fades.

"Ain't s'posed t'hear no danged 'oops...'" Grumbles the dwarven wildman, the sounds of his sandals slap-slapping as he moves away from the group. His breastplate rattles and something slides out of a harness before green druidic runes light up along the haft of his spear. It does nothing to light up the room for those who can't see in the dark but it lends a soft, ethereal glow to the nervous dwarf for all to note.

The wildman has the spear up, held crossways in front of him in a loose group to ward off any unseen attackers. "... eerie wheels... rampant, uh... danged th'fester black boathouse."

GAME: Telamon casts Dancing Lights. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16

On the list of 'things you never want to hear a spellcaster say', 'Oops' is definitely top ten, probably top five. Telamon stiffens at the dark, panic grabbing at him for a moment before he hears Barc muttering, and realizes that no, he's not immured in stone. It's still darker than the inside of a canvas bag, though, and so Tel rubs his hands together, muttering a moment before opening his fingers to release four shimmering, silvery spheres of light that float up and out to circle around his head like tiny suns or torches.

There's movement in the dark. Some of it is the dwarf, heading for the stairs, but there are other sounds.

As Telamon's dancing lights take effect, the source is revealed. Soldiers! Goblin soldiers... who don't look very good.

They're dirty, their movement disturbs the mold that has accumulated on them, raising a stink. The room itself is made of solidly fitted stones of a uniform size. The kind that suggests a tomb, or a small fort.

The soldiers, whose eyes glow with a cold, fungal light, converge, favouring the sources of movement.

<OOC> Ashes says, "2 on Barc, one on Screech, one on Telamon, one of Slixvah"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (19)+2+2: 23
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (2)+2+2: 6
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (4)+2+2: 8
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (16)+2+2: 20
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (16)+2+2: 20
<OOC> Ashes says, "Barc 1 hit, screech miss, and tel and slixvah, hit. Do you have your armours on? (Narrator: they didn't)"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Telamon rolls fortitude: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Slixvah rolls fortitude: (8)+1: 9
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (2)+7: 9

They move slow, these rotten goblin soldiers, but still fast enough some get in range. Fetid teeth snap at Barclaiigh, Telamon and Slixvah, managing to catch hold of knees.

They seem to have a thing about biting knees, these goblins.

Instantly the wound stings, it might be infected, it definitely is dirty.

GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18
GAME: Zofija rolls 2d6+4: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20-2: (15)+-2: 13
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20-2: (8)+-2: 6

Zofija turned back to glare at a wizard that was no longer there, quickly realizing that they were no longer at the waystation. And it was filled with goblins that were attacking them already. The knight pulls the hammer off of their back, and summarily brings it down on one of the goblins heads, bringing said head, and the rest of the body down to the floor with it.

"I was going to ask you to stand down. Now one of your allies is paste. You can still stand down, or I will ensure you all join them." She shouts to their foes.

Screech is offended to be attacked out of the blue, and the griffon turns to snap at the creature, only to find air where it was.

Slix is about comment on the wonderful creature that strides up beside her, but suddenly everything goes dark, then barely visible as pain erupts from her knee. "Ah!" she squawks, stumbling back and pulling out a knife. "That was quite rude darling!"

Just barely spying the dwarven man ambling off with a spear, she turns towards him and said aloud. "Sweetie! Trust your gut!" she calls out in a familiar tongue, infusing the dwarven man with a second of the future to come. <Khazdul>

GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3-1: (6)+7+-1: 12
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3-1: (10)+7+-1: 16 (Fortune Hex)

Barclaiigh considers the angry scratches on his leg and grunts, shaking his head and muttering something unintelligible through his puffy beard. In spite of the feathered spellcaster speaking his language (literally) it doesn't even occur to him that he might be this so-called 'sweetie' so he doesn't so much as glance her diretion. The spear comes down in a two-handed stab. Sadly, it misses.

GAME: Telamon rolls ranged: (19)+4: 23
GAME: Telamon rolls 4d6: (20): 20
GAME: Telamon casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18

Telamon yelps when he sees what's surrounding them, and then yelps again when one bites his calf. "Dammit! Back up, back up..." He backpedals as Slixvah does, glaring at the monstrous little cretins. "There's something off about them... and they stink to boot!" As Zofiya smashes one into paste, he snarls, "Ganzer agida!" gesturing and pointing -- and a searing lance of fire blasts out to incinerate the moldy goblin into a crumbling ruin.

GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3-1: (6)+7+-1: 12 (AoO)
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (16)+2+2: 20
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0+2: (1)+0+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0+2: (20)+0+2: 22
GAME: Zofija rolls knowledge/military theory: (2)+7: 9 (vs dc 15 - fail)
<OOC> Ashes says, "rolling confirm"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0+2: (14)+0+2: 16
<OOC> Ashes says, "not confirmed"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (14)+2+2: 18
<OOC> Ashes says, "3 fort saves Barc, DC9"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (2): 2
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (17)+7: 24
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (19)+7: 26
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (17)+7: 24

Of the two goblins facing the dwarf, once circles around behind him. This draws a swipe, but the goblin is the true short-stuff and slips underneath it. With one in the front and one behind, they snarl and snap, claws flying.

Several more itchy wounds are created.

<OOC> Ashes says, "one charges Slix, one charges Tel, Zofi you get an AOO"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (20)+2+2: 24
<OOC> Ashes says, "rolling confirm"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (11)+2+2: 15
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (15)+2+2: 19
<OOC> Ashes says, "that looks like a confirm."
GAME: Ashes rolls 2d4+2: (5)+2: 7
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19
GAME: Zofija rolls 4d6+8: (18)+8: 26
GAME: Zofija rolls 2d6+4: (5)+4: 9 (35 total)
GAME: Slixvah rolls fortitude: (4)+1: 5 (Fail)

Two more of the goblin soldiers charge the egalrin and the half-elf. One lands a deadly bite on a wing, tearing away feathers and flesh. A tug solid enough to make Slixvah slip in her stance.

The other, runs at Telamon, but doesn't make it. A sudden, unexpected earthbreaker interrupts it.

Zofija stopped and turned as one of the goblins charged past them, and she brings the hammer back up again. Only to drop right as they were passing, flattening the creature and crumbling some of the stone beneath it.

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (1)+0: 1 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (7)+0: 7
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (3)+0: 3
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (8)+0: 8
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+5: (10)+5: 15
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (1)+0: 1 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (17)+0: 17
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (10)+0: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (11)+0: 11
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (1): 1
GAME: Zofija rolls fortitude: (14)+6: 20

The griffon and hobgoblin are surrounded by goblins who flail and snap at their legs. They're small, hard to see, and there are enough attacks that some of them land, causing more itchy wounds.

GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20-2: (10)+-2: 8
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20-2: (17)+-2: 15

It was only a matter of time until the hammer missed on its way down, in the darkness making it difficult to smash them at times. "Just delaying the inevitable." The arvek-nar snarls, already pulling it back up.

The griffon is having even less luck, however. Harried on nearly all sides, it snaps again at the goblins, swiping with talons that miss the bulk of them.

GAME: Slixvah rolls knowledge/nature: (3)+7: 10
GAME: Slixvah rolls knowledge/arcana: (9)+8: 17
GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/nature+2: (12)+8+2: 22
GAME: Slixvah casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14

Slix screeches as her wing is torn into. "Honey I JUST FIXED THAT!" she blathers, shoving them off as blood and feathers splatter the floor. She stumbles back more, this time tracing sigils in the air. With a one handed snap of her fingers, she pants out, "Romar!"

There's a sudden updraft where she's standing, and her feathers take on a faint shimmer and sheen.

She's pained as she speaks aloud. "D-... dearies, these seem to be... be some kind of undead but not really? They're sick. Try not... not to get surrounded!"

She glances over. Whimpers quietly. "... like that.."

GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3-1: (3)+7+-1: 9

Something seems a bit off with the dwarf, isolated there on one side of the room. He's continued talking to himself but the words that carry across the room don't seem to make much sense. He backs himself into a corner and stabs out again, unable to find the gobber with the tip of the spear.

GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+11: (16)+11: 27 (defensive cast)
GAME: Telamon casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17

And then the knight in shining armor steps in. Well... sort of. Telamon weaves his hands together, and speaks sonorously, "Akar irhandi!" Fields of blue-white force snap into existence around him before fading, and then he's stepping into the path of the fungal-infested goblin. Glaring at it with eyes full of stars, as he growls, "You can't save yourself, monstrosity."

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (17)+0: 17
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (7)+0: 7
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (2)+0: 2
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (19)+0: 19
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (1): 1

As the mumbling dwarf retreats, the moldering goblins follow. 'Raaaaaaarr', one calls, biting into his thigh. The other swipes and gnashes, a claw ripping a light furrow along his arm.

GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (13)+7: 20
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (6)+7: 13
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (15)+2: 17
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (8)+0: 8
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (11)+0: 11
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Telamon rolls fortitude: (11)+3: 14

Stepping into a goblin's way is a good way to get bitten on the knee. Telamon, is bitten on the knee.

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (11)+2+2: 15
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0+2: (10)+0+2: 12
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0+2: (2)+0+2: 4
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (16)+0: 16
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (14)+0: 14
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (12)+2: 14
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (14)+0: 14
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (9)+0: 9
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (20)+2: 22
<OOC> Ashes says, "rolling confirm"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (15)+0: 15
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (14)+0: 14
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (1): 1
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (2): 2
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+5: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+5: (17)+5: 22
GAME: Zofija rolls fortitude: (6)+6: 12
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2+1: (1)+1: 2
<OOC> Ashes says, "okay, Screech is paralyzed for 2 rounds"

The griffon and the hobgoblin are surrounded. The decripit goblin soldiers snap and slash. Screech is having the most difficulty, they're small, underfoot and underwing, hard to focus on them. A particularly virulent bite on the inside ankle makes the golden beast shudder, and freezes.

The hobgoblin cavalier weathers the assault a little better, most of the attacks ineffective.

GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9

Zofi snarls at the goblins that are attacking them, and the griffon particularly, and she moves to smash another goblin into the stone, only to trip up at the last moment from a twinge from one of the strikes, landing harmlessly into the floor next to it.

Not harmless to the floor, however.

Whatever pain was in the her wing finally caught up to her, and Slix falls to a knee as her fingers flex into strained claws. She grinds her beak as she bleeds over herself. She tries to say something, but it ends up being nothing as her throat was taut closed in shock.

GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3-1: (18)+7+-1: 24
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d6+5+3: (1)+5+3: 9
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL) (AoO)

"DANG! BREWIN'! TURNIPS!" Barclaiigh is shouting now, frothing about the mouth with flecks of spittle in his caterpillar mustache and bushy beard. He stabs out and full-on skewers one of the little fiends through the chest, running it through and picking up the spasming, fungus-infused corpse.

Heavy, sandaled footfalls slam and slap against the stonework ground as he swings the corpse of the felled creatured at his compatriot and makes to backup the harried sorcerer.

"Sorry, y'all. Lost'n th'maze a bit, there," he grunts.

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (16)+2+2: 20
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0+2: (11)+0+2: 13
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0+2: (7)+0+2: 9
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2+2: (6)+2+2: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0+2: (4)+0+2: 6
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0+2: (1)+0+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (20)+2: 22
<OOC> Ashes says, "rolling confirm"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (12)+0: 12
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (8)+0: 8
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (10)+0: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (13)+0: 13
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (1): 1
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (1): 1
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (10)+0: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (1)+0: 1 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+5: (4)+5: 9
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+5: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (6)+0: 6
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (1)+0: 1 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Zofija rolls fortitude: (10)+6: 16
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (15)+7: 22
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (18)+7: 25

As the dwarf moves, so do some of the goblins. One breaks off from the griffon, the other follows him fromt he stairs, and the efforts to get the attention of the one following Telamon are successful.

It attacks Barclaiigh instead. He weathers the onslaught, for the most part, but feels teeth in his buttocks, and his knees again.

Screech is less fortunate, paralyzed, the griffon is helpless as the ghoulbin knaws away, chewing into the leg.

The two facing the hob cavalier are equally relentless, biting and snapping and managing to draw blood.

GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12

Zofija tries to strike again, and the stone floor was going to be nearly impossible to restore at this rate. "Damn undead bastards, moving around too much. Just hit them with something, anything really." She shouts. "That'll make them crumple. Only problem is actually hitting. Might need to make a retreat to the stairs, move and defend from there

GAME: Telamon casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (5)+2: 7
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (10)+2: 12

Telamon backpedals as things are just getting completely out of hand. Seeing Slixvah in trouble, he gestures and chants sibilantly, and a stream of silvery dust sprays out across two of the zombies, causing them to stumble as the shimmering sparkles blind them. "Love to, but we're kind of cut off at the moment!" he calls to Zofiya.

GAME: Slixvah rolls feather slap: aliased to intelligence+BAB: (5)+3+1: 9

Getting a breath into her lungs finally, Slix staggers to her feet and beats her good wing to twirl off to the side. A bloody hand pulls her veils down as she draws another sigil in the air. "A-Alrighty handsome sugar, if you say so," she shivers out, clutching her bleeding wing as she steps forward to be beside Telamon. She turns to the side sharply, her good wing spanning out wide.

Suddenly, the feathers extend and shoot outwards towards the infected gobber with a rush of wind. The pain makes it go off mark, and the feathers reel back.

One of Slix's wings has immensely long feathers that trail upwards and behind her, swaying like the ribbons attached to them from an unseen wind.

GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3-1+1: (10)+7+-1+1: 17
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d6+5+3: (4)+5+3: 12

The thinner folk are making a good decision to withdraw so the Khazad-aul holds the line. His wide mouth makes an 'o' shape when two of the creatures are dusted with sparkling matter and rub furiously at their eyes. He siezes the opportunity and stabs another full through the chest.

Up comes Barclaiigh's foot and he kicks the corpse over, stepping back and warding off the remaining two beasts with the speartip. "Ain't that handy..."

GAME: Telamon casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (10)+2: 12

"Hells, I should've led with that," Telamon mumbles as he backs up to Zofiya, Slixvah following. He whirls suddenly, and thrusts an arm past Zofiya -- another burst of silvery dust blinding two more of the angry vegetable goblins. "Slixvah, can you mend your wounds? Or do you need assistance?"

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (17)+2: 19
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (12)+0: 12
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (12)+0: 12
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (11)+0: 11
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (7)+0: 7

Glitter! Everywhere! It's almost like fighting gnomes. There's more to being a gnome than looking fabulous however, and the ghoulbins fail in the hygiene requirement.

Persistence-wise, they are close. Despite being blinded they continue their attack, with one following after Barclaiigh. His slight jog was sufficient to get it to switch targets. The goblin flails and snaps at it's companion, missing. That companion, likewise, goes after the dwarf but fails to connect.

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (18)+0: 18
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (2)+0: 2
<OOC> Zofija says, "one hit"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (2): 2
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2+1: (2)+1: 3
<OOC> Ashes says, "another 3 rounds paralyzed then"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (11)+0: 11
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (20)+0: 20
<OOC> Ashes says, "confirming"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (13)+0: 13
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (10)+0: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (4)+0: 4
<OOC> Ashes says, "1-50 is miss, 2 hits to try"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d100: (82): 82
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d100: (84): 84
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (1): 1
GAME: Zofija rolls fortitude: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Zofija rolls fortitude: (5)+6: 11

There's slurping and chewing noises as the goblin continues to gnaw on Screech. The golden griffon shudders, attempting to move, but further poison in the bloodstream prevents this.

The glittery goblins attacking Zofija snap and slash blindly. Despite this handicap, a few strikes land. They're trying very hard to make the cavalier fail too.

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (14)+2: 16
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13

GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24
GAME: Zofija rolls 2d6+4: (5)+4: 9

Zofija finally stops, and stomps down, hard, on the foot of one of the goblins with a sound of crunching bone. with it pinned in place, the arvek-nar takes the hammer and swings it soundly into the undead, sending it skidding across the ground slightly. She steps to where it was, glaring at the goblin that was behind it.

Screech was nearly over the worst of whatever was present, but another bite from the goblins sends it slumping back to the ground, coupled with the mounting injuries.

GAME: Slixvah rolls feather slap: aliased to intelligence+BAB: (15)+3+1: 19
GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d3+4: (1)+4: 5

Slix is clutching her injured wing with one arm as feathers pose up behind her to strike. She glances to Telamon, then to the magnificent creature. "I could sweetie, but I'm safe right here."

She steps forward, pivots once, and the array of rusty red and white feathers slam down and crunch one of the goblins.

The eaglefolk cringes. "Sorry shug," she murmurs, advancing to cover the hobgoblin's advance.

GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3-1+1: (13)+7+-1+1: 20
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d6+5+3: (1)+5+3: 9

Another forceful stab. Another skewered goblin. Another kick from the dwarf to send the corpse tumbling away. Barclaiigh glances to his right, turning his head more-fully than might normally needs be to compensate for his wounded eye. Once he's sure the flank is secure and the spellcasters safe, he settles into his stance and returns his attention back to the creature.

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (15)+2: 17
GAME: Telamon casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18

"Mulan ukum! Mulan ukum!" Telamon would be tired of chanting, but it's working with terrifying effectiveness on the goblins. Ghoulbins? Who knows. Another spatter of glitter lands on the creature assaulting Screech, blinding it as well. "Hang in there! We've got them now!" His eyes shine in the dancing lights, almost hovering on his tiptoes from expending so much mana.

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (17)+0: 17
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (17)+7: 24
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (18)+0: 18
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d2: (2): 2
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Fort: (12)+7: 19
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (20)+2: 22
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15 (no confirm)
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (15)+0: 15
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (5)+0: 5
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d100: (6): 6
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d100: (45): 45
<OOC> Ashes says, "both miss"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15

"Good job." Zofija grunts as the other goblin is impaled. "Glitter man, It may seem dangerous, but I need you to move behind the last one here, and wave something threatening around. Got it?" She says, before she is stepping around her fallen mount, moving to swing at the one still attacking it, though attempting to avoid the griffon makes it fall harmlessly past it.

Slix watches to hobgoblin slip over to the other side of her mount. She follows behind her. "Hey muscles, check your pockets, you might have something nice waiting for you!" she chirps at her.

And wouldn't you know, there's an extra copper in that pocket.

How fortune.

GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3+1: (2)+7+1: 10
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3+1: (8)+7+1: 16

Barclaiigh twitches a bit as the stress of the situation wells up once more. He's blinking furiously as he stares down the remaining creature and his eyes are tearing. Out comes the spear but he's well and wide of his mark.

GAME: Telamon casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (17)+2: 19

Telamon unloads -another- dousing of glitter onto the goblin, making it sparkle in the lights. Unfortunately, this time, it fails to blind it. Undaunted, the sorcerer moves up, drawing a finely-made long knife from his belt as he looks past it at Zofiya. "I don't think I blinded it this time, hope you can hit it!"

GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (8)+2: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (2)+0: 2
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (14)+0: 14
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (20)+2: 22
<OOC> Ashes says, "rolling confirm"
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+2: (5)+2: 7
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (14)+0: 14
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+0: (10)+0: 10
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Zofija rolls fortitude: (13)+6: 19

The remaing ghoulblins attack Barclaiigh and Zofija. The dwarf manages to shrug off all assaults. The one on the hobgoblin however, is layers in fabulousity.

The hob receives a glitter-filled bite.

GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6+2: (11)+6+2: 19
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6+2: (2)+6+2: 10
GAME: Zofija rolls 2d6+4: (4)+4: 8

Zofija offers the briefest of nods to Telamon as he moves behind it, which turns into a grimace of pain as there are teeth in her leg. Unfortunately for the goblin, it receives a leg in it's face for its efforts when it is momentarily distracted by a dagger behind it. Followed quickly by a swing of the massive hammer that caves in most of the creatures chest. Undaunted, she moves up to in front of Barc, raising the hammer up behind it.

GAME: Slixvah rolls feather slap+2: aliased to intelligence+BAB+2: (15)+3+1+2: 21
GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d3+4: (2)+4: 6

Slix hears the cavalier's order to Telamon, and she adapts it as well. Jogging off towards the opposite side, she leave some room for the dwarf in between as her ribbon-like feathers trail behind her.

The suddenly solidify, snapping out like a rope gone taut as the unnatural weight slams into the goblin and crushes it into the ground.

She whips her head around, panting as the flowing feathers press against the ground to keep her upright. "... that's it now? Good heavens, lovies..." she murmurs, looking at everyone.

"I... got a little magic tucked under my wing to fix someone, but... to be honest, I'm going to need it. I got lots of bandages though. They got little hearts on them," she giggles, trying to lighten the very terrifying situation everyone was just in.

Telamon sees the last creature drop, and exhales, shoving his dagger back into its sheath. "Son of a... that was a little more of a welcoming committee than I wanted to see." He refreshes his light cantrip, looking around. "So, um... where ARE we, anyways?" he asks aloud.

The last of the glittery goblin ghouls drops to the ground, leaving only silence and a sparkle hanging in the air, reflecting off the dancing lights. In the illuminated gloom, a few more details can be observed.

All the crates and barrels have a brand of the Blarite military. They're also covered in a layer of dust, and perhaps spores. The fuzzy coating matches that on the goblin soldiers.

Silence, for the moment, interrupted by footsteps on the ceiling above.

GAME: Zofija rolls knowledge/local: (16)+7: 23

"Welcome to Blar." Zofija grunts, stowing the hammer back away as she looks around. She rifles through her pocket to pick out a copper coin, which elicits a quiet "huh."

"Well, you weren't wrong, egalrin. Suppose with that luck and the fact I'm not dead, drinks are on me. Most pubs in Blar won't be too surprised of a couple bloodied folk coming in to not serve them drinks. Don't worry about it, take care of yourself first, I'm not about to keel over from a couple of goblins."

"As for where we are, hard to get a lay of the land from a basement. Some sort of military business, one of the watch towers or keeps most like, those crates are property of the city-state. 6 months or so based on the time markings on some of them."

She looks up at the noise, and to the others, before she is trying to help the griffon to it's feet, which is struggling to hold its own weight as the paralysis fades. "Good job there, Screech. We'll get you patched up and fed once we're out of here. Someone is moving, possibly coming down."

GAME: Barclaiigh used a Potion of Cure Light Wounds.
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d8+1: (3)+1: 4 (to zofi)
GAME: Slixvah casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14
GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d8+2: (7)+2: 9
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d8+1: (3)+1: 4 (to Screech)
GAME: Telamon used a Potion of CLW.

The only exit is the stairs. Fortunately they are wide enough that Screech can get up them, although it is a tight squeeze. One revolution of the spiral comes to a landing, and a door which is closed.

A door that has a rhythmic thumping coming from the other side.

There are no windows in the stairwell at this level, but there is light filtering in from above.

Slix pulls her rent wring down to her beak, and makes the sound that a parrot does when the mimic their owner's doing the kissy sounds. "Eb ealbed, souicrep," she coos as a gentle light suffuses through her wing, and it's almost hale and whole. She shakes herself out, and the flowing feathers return to normal as she pulls her wings in. Half bloodied, but she's got her hands on her hips and a twinkle in her eyes. "Right as rain, darlings!"

She looks up after the explanation. "Well, I guess we need to let them know they've got some staffing issues!" she point out. "And I need a bird bath!"

Up she goes with the others, her lightly twirling the dagger in her hand. She whispers to Telamon, but could be heard by the others. "You know, if we come out of the top of the tower, I can do a flip off of it. It'll be wicked, sugar."

Telamon glances at Zofiya as the party manages to make it up the stairs, after tending to their wounds as best they can. "Do you want to take the lead on this? I'm pretty sure we shouldn't be here, regardless, and they might be a bit tetchy." He pauses at the door that's being thumped on. "Not sure we should open that."

"Here, drink up, Screech. It's not gonna taste as good as roasted deer, but it'll make you feel better than a full stomach." Zofija states to the griffon, tilting the potion she is offered back into its beak. This made the beast stand up a bit straighter, and more proudly. The magic on herself helped as well, as the wounds she was ignoring were at least no longer weeping blood. She follows up behind the others, making sure the griffon could make it through. "Pretty sure they heard us at this point." Zofia grunts, looking at the door, and shaking her head. "Place seems abandoned, or some shady shit going on here. Not surprising, all things considered. We should head up though if we can."

The thumping on the door continues. It's solid, and doesn't appear likely to fail. The pounding is unrelenting, however, and a few puffs of dust, or mold waft out from under the sill. Best leave it.

Another spiral up, another landing, this one lacking a door. It had one, it's been sundered. There is an open area with destroyed furniture from what might have been barracks. There are enough beds to house a compliment of twenty. Some are goblin sized, others are regular humanoid sized. Aside from the splintered furniture, there is an open door. Outside, grass is visible, and the spiral staircase continues upwards.

GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (7)+11: 18
GAME: Slixvah rolls perception: (9)+9: 18
GAME: Zofija rolls knowledge/military theory: (14)+7: 21

Telamon peers out the shattered door. "Doesn't look like much in the way of amenities... but it looks like we're on the ground floor, at least." He glances at the others. "Any thoughts? Personally I'm up for going outside and getting our bearings."

Slix eyes the thumping door with side glance, not even stopping to consider checking it out as the ascend further.

"Ah!" she chirps, wings fluttering lightly behind in her anticipation. "Happy days and open sky...! Let's get out there, lil ol' Slix don't like being cramped up like this."

Keep moving up, away from the door. Zofija was doing their best to seem relaxed and not bothered by the noise as she continued up, to another door that was more unhinged than the last. "They were trying to keep something out from inside the tower." She notes, pointing to some splinters that were still stuck where it had been forcibly removed. And, something or someone was trying to keep them inside the tower. They broke out."

"Something happened here, and someone probably has a lot to answer for. Probably best to put something the barricade back on the door, in case the one below fails."

Screech is not waiting for the explanations. The moment they see the grass, they are squeezing out through the door, and to the outside, much less moldy air.

Barricading the door would be a good idea. If there was a solid door to barricade. Both are shattered enough that they won't fill the doorway.

Upstairs, there are two more levels, which both seem to be dedicated to defense and observation. There are some ruined weapons, broken crossbows, no bodies. The door to the roof, a trap door, is closed and barred.

Outside...

This isn't Blar. Blar is a city, not a tower on a mountain-top. There is a city in the distance. The teleport fell short, clearly. A knotted rope hangs from the roof, and the flag is tattered and faded. The tower itself shows some siege damage, but no breaches. Whatever took it out seems to have started inside.

It's going to be a trek to civilization.

Slix finally gets outside, half her feathers covered in bloody crimson as her wings extend out wide to their ten foot span. "Ahhh..." she sighs, opening up her arms as if to hug the sky. "Helllooo gorgeous! I'm happy to see you again!"

Her eyes drop to the distance, and she gives a light hearted huff. "Well dearies, best we get walking."

Blink.

"I'm Slixvah by the by~!"

There wasn't any information on what happened unfortunately, save for what could be told by the state of the place. Zofija joined the others downstairs, where the others were outside already, and a large griffon was flattening the grass outside rolling around in it. "Glad we aren't trapped in a cavern for certain. Zofija, Skyguard of Myrrdion, and former second lieutenant of the sixth Blar Cavalry regiment." She states, coming to stand and salute the others. "And frankly, I am badly in need of a bath after losing that much blood. Won't get in the way of travel until then though, I promise."

Telamon looks out at the green sward, and despite the long hike clearly ahead, his spirits lift. "Well, ma'am, I am Telamon Atlon, of Alexandria. A pleasure, to be sure, even though the meeting was less than splendid." He peers outward. "I think we'd best get moving. I don't think I really want to be near this tower when night falls." He smiles at Slixvah. "Shall we, then?"

Combatty

map: https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=msi6jfmzu5m

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |     Name      |  CHP (T) |  HP  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 | Barclaiigh....|    7     |  32  |
 | (C) Porter....|   30     |  30  |
 | Slixvah.......|    1     |  11  |
 | Telamon.......|   15     |  23  |
 | Zofija........|    4     |  21  |
 | (C) Screech...|    4     |  22  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~