Ruins of Azlant IC

[Farmerbink]

"Greetings, Kuzon." Jessica murmurs, inclining her head respectfully. "We, ah. I guess we came here to see what was here. Trade is always valuable, and good relationships even more so. I, personally, am more interested in the people, but I have at least one companion here with me who has mentioned his desire for trading opportunities many times. Hewitt- that little fellow there," she points out the summoner through the open door, "Is a burgeoning businessman. I'll be more than happy to help you both communicate, and I bet he could learn Azlanti, if he put his mind to it."

"In the most immediate sense, do you mind sharing some details about the island? There was another group of people- mostly humans like myself- that came before us. We are hoping to find them, or survivors, I suppose. At the least, we need to know more about what happened to them. I don't carry much on me, but would be more than pleased to offer your choice of a few simple pieces of artwork in exchange."

Spoiler: OOC

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Jessica is trained in Craft(calligraphy) and has a wood-burning kit, though I haven't been making deliberate use of them thus far.

Also, very sorry for the significant delays. I appreciate your patience with family in town for my uncle's funeral. I'm learning that madness happens every day, it's just the details that change. Today we have plumbers jack-hammering through the floor to repair a drain.

... Someday soonish it will be flooring specialists....

[farothel]

"Can you ask if there are more of his kind," Laurelata asked Jessica, "and what species he is? I've never seen or heard about something like him before."

[Farmerbink]

Jessica nods somberly.

"Also, are you alone out here? That is, do you have a village or anything nearby? Friends or family?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Doing my best to make "what the *** are you?" sound nicer XD

[u-b]

Spoiler: Laurelata and Jessica

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"I live a solitary life here, don't move around much and don't pry into others' business. The fate of the settlers from beyond the ocean is not my business. I don't want to be involved in it. My traps provide me with food and ward off the goblins. Sorry, not interested in artwork. Do you have healing potions? These are hard to come by."

[Farmerbink]

Jessica nods, listening eagerly. "In point of fact, I do have one. You've already been gracious and straightforward, so please, have it." She extends to the odd figure a potion of CLW, only slightly nervous about walking plainly within its reach. A bit of steel creeps into her tone as she considers the subject of her next line of questions. "If I may, you mentioned Goblins. Do you mean those odd swimming creatures? We're also quite unhappy about their hostility, and frankly I suspect they may have done away with many of my kinsmen already. Can you direct us to their lair or give us any advice on how best to... ah... handle them?"

[u-b]

Spoiler: Laurelata and Jessica

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Kuz'on takes the bottle, examines it and then puts ot away. "You are good people. No, the swimming goblins don't come this far inland. It's the climbing goblins. They live elsewhere, but frequent an old site nearby and used to try to get to me until enough of them got killed. That is the way I recommend handling them - kill enough and they get scared of you and don't bother you any more." Kuz'on pauses for a moment, then adds "Though the climbing ones are not easily scared."

[farothel]

Laurelata made note of the climbing goblins. Something else they would have to tackle at some point.
"Ask him about a wizard or something like that," she suggested to Jessica, "given the strange devices we've seen in the colony, there should be some sort of wizard, tinkerer, alchemist or the like somewhere on the island. And also if you can, ask where the rest of his family is, so we can avoid them as well."

[Farmerbink]

Jessica nods. "Thank you. If I may, I have one other question I'd like to ask before we leave you be. We found some strange... metal devices. Flying... things. Do you know of anyone on the island that might have made such a thing? This person might have more of the answers we seek."

[u-b]

Spoiler: Laurelata and Jessica

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"Flying metal devices too? I haven't seen any such. There are others, but they seem to keep out of this part of the island, save for one thing, which is a swarm of steel balls, either spiked or not, that roams around for no apparent reason. It seems to dislike the goblins and I, too, climb a tree any time it rolls past. Seems to have always been here." Kuz'on shrugs.

[Farmerbink]

Jessica frowns, confused by the creature's description. ((Azlanti))"I've never seen nor heard of such a thing, but thank you very much for alerting us to it. In the same vein, we will alert the rest of our companions to this location, so that they don't find themselves hurt by your traps and we can leave you in peace. Perhaps we will come by another time to talk and trade again." She inclines her head respectfully again, and turns to Laurelata.

((Still Azlanti))"Is there anything else you would like me to ask our host before we continue our search?"

[farothel]

"Just if there are more of him/her/it," Laurelata said, "and if so, where we can find them."

[u-b]

Spoiler: Laurelata and Jessica

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"Next time, don't come right through. Blow a horn while still some distance away. I will greet you. I can trade only silk, but others did find it valuable. I'd give the amount equal to this rope for one healing potion." Kuz'on points to the rope you've used to climb to his house. It is a tad longer than the thirty feet to the ground, but not by that much.

[Farmerbink]

Jessica nods her understanding. After a moment it turns into a very self-aware laugh. "Thank you. I'm sure that will be significantly safer for us. I, for one, was quite worried when we first navigated the formidable little maze you've created. If not for a few of my allies still below, I likely would have ended up like many of the Goblins. Again, thank you for the information. We'll be sure to meet again."

Aware that Laurelata isn't quite satisfied, Jessica nonetheless ushers her ally from the odd creature's home. ((Common))"I'm sure we'll find out more details soon enough. At the very least, it's enough for now to know that he doesn't live with any more like himself. I... strongly suspect that means he is in fact unique, though it's possible there may be a few others." dangerous affair, without distraction, but certainly not an easy one.

Back on the ground, she glances back at the strange man's treetop habitation with a curious expression. "He seems astonishingly well-adjusted for someone living a somewhat hostile life alone on an island for hundreds of years, though... There's definitely more to this story. Perhaps it will come out with time."

She then takes several moments to relay all of their findings to her other allies, taking special care to mention that Hewitt might do well to learn Azlanti and build a relationship of his own and that Henri needs to keep good tabs on the surrounding area. "And, of course, there are more Goblins. Somehow, there are always more Goblins.... These ones are climbers, instead of swimmers, though." She sighs, not exactly worried, but certainly not excited about dealing with more of the unpredictable creatures.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri nods as he silently listens. When Jessica is done he takes out his journal and begins noting boundaries. "I will speak with Lyra and be sure she spreads the word. Between the two of us all the maps will have this place marked off," he says, quietly. "Did you ask where the goblins lived? We need to mark that off too, and probably confront them. Shall we go visit them next?"

[DaOldeWolf]

Hewitt rubs his hands anxiously as he hears the report of everything they found out. He might be a bit more calm to know that the strange creature wasnt an enemy but he still wasnt exactly thrilled with the idea of doing busines with such an unnerving being. "I suppose you are right. This might prove to be a valueble trading companion." He replies in a tone that sounds a bit relunctant at first and defeating at last. He then speaks about the topic at hand. "More of those disgusting creatures. I cant believe those pests have not only plagued the sea but also the land."

[farothel]

Laurelata had taken the offered rope with her on the way down and showed it to Hewitt.
"This is some very good rope," she said, "he makes it and if we can find more of them, it would be a very good trading opportunity. Maybe they can make more stuff from that silk. Could be quite interesting, no? And oh, he also mentioned a swarm of steel balls, either spiked or not. Next to those climbing gobbos, we have to investigate that as well. It's probably linked to those devices we found when we checked out the town."

[u-b]

You decide, since you are here anyway, to explore the wilderness surrounding the trapped area. Henri's maps, if not as perfect as Lyra's, will surely be good enough for practical purposes. You have spent a couple hours mapping the area when you encounter a small field of shattered stones and fragments. Toppled marble columns jut haphazardly from the ground and are partially covered with moss. These rocks are the only evidence that buildings once stood here, but the pass age of thousands of years has left little but their broken stone skeletons. One remnant remains incongruous with the ruins: a circular marble dais carved from a distinctly lustrous pinkish stone, perfectly preserved but surrounded by a crumbled stone rotunda that has not weathered the ages nearly as well.

[farothel]

"Strange that this bit is preserved," Laurelata said as she looked a bit closer, but without touching anything. At 60ft she cast detect magic to see if there was magic involved, which was probably given the state of the thing.

[DarkOne-Rob]

After carefully marking the location of the ruins on his map, Henri turns to another page in his journal, where he begins making a more detailed map of the area within the field. He takes the time to walk around and mark the boundaries of buildings and any other structures he can until the party notices the dais. This he carefully notes, and makes a notation on the primary map mentioning it. As Laurelata approaches he then takes a position to try and draw the structure, his charcoals rough and more enthusiastic than really artistic. He doesn't appear embarrassed, though, and continues to sketch and draw silently as the others approach and investigate the strange, timeless stone...

[DaOldeWolf]

Hewitt follows Laurelat closeby. "Well, this is definitely intriguing. I wil also assist in this research for magical auras." Hewitt replies as he casts his own spell to help him analyze and see magic more clearly. Hewitt was quite interested on the possibility of this being the entrance to ruins or maybe a historically valuable place. He definitely wanted to know more, at the very least find out about its purpose.

Spoiler: OOC

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Also casting detect magic.

[u-b]

From the distance, you study the dais. Sure enough, it is magical. You sense two strong auras on it. The first, Laurelata and Hewitt agree, is some transmutation, though it being way more complex than anything they have dealt with, it's more of an educated guess. The second is even more tricky and you fail to come to a sensible conclusion.

Spoiler

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Laurelata know (arcana): (1d20+4)[24] (1d20+4)[11]
Hewitt know (arcana): (1d20+6)[22] (1d20+6)[19]

[farothel]

"Let's be very careful," Laurelata said to the rest, "there is magic on that preserved thing, but we're not fully sure what exactly. Maybe even leave it for now and come back later, unless you want to check it out more."

She grabbed a piece of stone/ruin that was there.
"In which case Rocky here will be the lead investigator."

[DaOldeWolf]

"To be precise, the magic detected is related with transformative magic. It can be good news or really bad news depending on the effect." Hewitt decides to add. He was especially worried about the duration of such effects on anyone unfortunate enough to get affected.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Henri continues to draw, though one eyebrow raises at the description of powerful transformative magic. With a quiet snort and a smirk he shakes his head as he continues to draw, walking around the dais to get a better view from a different angle, but keeping at least ten feet from the stone relic.

[u-b]

As Henri walks around to take a look from a different angle and the rest of the group is occupied with observing the dais, Laurelata hears some quiet movement some distance behind. She turns around and sees a small group of monkey goblins armed with shortspears and trying to sneak up on you.

Spoiler

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Laurelata perception: (1d20+8)[25]
Monkey goblins stealth: (1d20+12)[17]
Henri perception: (1d20+8)[17] minus range penalties, so fails
Jessica perception: (1d20+2)[13]
Hewitt perception: (1d20+0)[9]

Laurelata init: (1d20+9)[20]
Monkey goblins init: (1d20+3)[16]
Henri init: (1d20+1)[15]
Jessica init: (1d20+2)[11]
Hewitt init: (1d20+2)[4]

No map for this one, but the goblins are 70 feet away from the main group and Henri is some distance, say, 60 feet, in another, but not opposite, direction.

=> Laurelata (surprise round)

[farothel]

Seeing the goblins, Laurelata didn't hesitate. She dropped the rock in her right hand, grabbed an arrow with it and fired at the closest.
"Attack," she shouted to inform her team members that there was one going on.

Spoiler: OOC actions and rolls

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free action: drop rock
standard action: attack with longbow (1d20+4)[11] for damage: (1d8+1)[2] (sneak attack if within 30ft: (1d6)[1]) (if evil: holy damage (2d6)[3]

[u-b]

The monkey goblins drop all precautions now that they are seen and just advance towards the group as fast as they can. Somewhat surprisingly, they do not scream, yell or anything of the sort.

Spoiler

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No map for this one. The goblins are 40 feet away from the main group and Henri is some distance, say, 60 feet, in another, but not opposite, direction.

=> Laurelata (normal round)

[farothel]

Seeing the goblins come closer, she shot at them again, before moving back. She had a ranged weapon, so keeping distance was advised.

Spoiler: OOC actions and rolls

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attack the closest gobbo again: (1d20+4)[8] for damage: (1d8+1)[4] (holy damage: (2d6)[7])
move 30ft back.

if crit: (1d20+4)[12] for extra damage: (2d8+2)[13]

[u-b]

Having missed with two ranged attacks in a row, Laurelata moves away from the goblins and, not intentionally, toward the dais. The monkey goblins charge. Of two opponents they are able to reach, they target primarily the larger opponent with the larger weapon, but one goes after Hewitt too. They hit with all of the attacks. Jess gets a lot of new holes, taking 6, 5 and 3 damage and Hewitt takes 3 damage.

Spoiler

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Monkey goblin charge with shortspear: (1d20+6)[24] for (1d4+2)[6] vs Jessica
Monkey goblin charge with shortspear: (1d20+6)[17] for (1d4+2)[5] vs Jessica
Monkey goblin charge with shortspear: (1d20+6)[16] for (1d4+2)[3] vs Jessica
Monkey goblin charge with shortspear: (1d20+6)[13] for (1d4+2)[3] vs Hewitt

Monkey goblins are adjacent to Jess and Hewitt and are in melee. Laurelata is 30 feet away and Henri is 60 feet away in another direction.

Jess is at 0 hit points and is disabled.

=> Party

[Farmerbink]

Jessica cries out in surprise and pain as the Goblins assail her. Stunned and grievously injured, she steps away from the vermin and intones a blessing from Shelyn.

Spoiler: Jessica, round 1

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Jessica Cooper
F NG Aasimar (Angel-blooded) Cleric, Level 2, Init 2, HP 0/14, DR Acid, Cold, Elec resist 5, Speed
AC 11, Touch 11, Flat-footed 10, CMD 14, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 5, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
Glaive +3 (1d10+3, x3)
Dagger +3/+2 (1d4+1, 19-20,x2)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 16
Condition +2 CL for divination spells
Augery 2/2 (weekly)
Inner beauty: 1/1
Alter self: 1/1
Channel energy: 7/8, 1d6
Touch of good: 5/5
Bit of Luck: 5/5
Talisman of good fortune: reroll natural 1 (once, then it crumbles)
Bless: 1/1
Protection from Evil: 1/1
Unprepared slots: 1

5-foot step to be out of immediate melee
channel energy for (1d6)[1] HP. She then immediately loses 1 HP. Edit: freaking classic, still at 0 HP.

If applicable, she'll AoO in the next round:
(1d20+3)[7] glaive
(1d20+3)[14] CC
(1d10+3)[5] damage
(2d10+6)[19] crit bonus