The Thrice-Blessed IC

[MikelaC1]

Shiver strides up to the goblin woman, looking both impressive and angry.

Spoiler: Intimidate

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(1d20+12)[13]

EXPLAIN yourself. I slaughter your group and you're happy about it? And why where you here in the first place

[Ridai]

"Gobbers looteen," Teeka answers, almost matter-of-factly. "Hells weeth gobbers! Ugly, nasty, call Teeka ugly, heet Teeka, speet on Teeka! AND gobbers eat preetty beeg ones!" Teeka stamps a foot in anger, but still doesn't want to let go of Sìle's leg. "Beeg ones came to cave, gobbers and oggers heet them, put een bat cave. Dumb greedy boss say go loot thees morneeng. Teeka try sneak tastee theengs to beeg ones!"

"Between the tracks and what Teeka is saying, whatever made the villagers fled must have happened a few days ago," Sìle notes. Teeka grins up to Sìle, adding "Preetty man so beeg and smart!" And she caresses his leg with bedroom eyes. Sìle still is honestly not sure what to make of the current situation, but Teeka at least seems helpful so far.

The goblin points to the castle with the broken bridge. "Gobbers no get to beeg stone house. Gobbers lookeeng for beeg weemen and shinies. Fall een reever dumb rocks like!" Teeka cackles once more. "Teeka no tell gobbers how use rope!" Teeka laughs even louder.

Sìle follows her pointing finger, making a mental note, and smiles down at the goblin. "Teeka, honey." Judging by her reaction, the goblin likes this treatment. "Would you be willing to tell us where the rest of the goblins are?"

Teeka seems alarmed at this, squeezing tighter on Sìle's leg. "No-no, no place for preetty beeg ones!" Shiver seems to be included in her beauty assessment. It appears her intimidation attempt did not go far. The gears start turning in the little goblin's head, though, a toothy grin spreading on her face as she looks to Shiver. "Eef beeg, scary Murder Mare go to stomp uglee gobbers and oggers, Teeka weell show way! But preetty man geeve Teeka reeward after!" It seems like Teeka thinks herself a cunning negotiator right in this moment.

Sìle looks to Shiver. "Perhaps there still are survivors in the castle that need help, along with the villagers captured by the goblins. You are hardly obligated to do so, but can I ask you for your help to save them? I doubt I could accomplish this without your might."

[MikelaC1]

And now not being a giant works in Shiver's favour, as a towering frost giantess would hardly be trusted. She strides to where the actual gate in would be located, iumps across the bridge and bellows in her loudest voice.

The goblin/worg threat has been ended. You are free to rebuild or bury your dead. This goblin is going to lead us to the rest of the band, which we will deal with

[Ridai]

Shiver walks south through the town to the bridge, Sìle and Teeka following, the latter insistent on holding onto the former's hand with the biggest grin. Passing by the various houses, some are still intact, some having been demolished by the boulders, including one of the southern watch towers. From under some of the boulders, Shiver can see an arm or a leg, the rest having been crushed and buried. At least they did not need to suffer. The wind mill looms near motionlessly as she passes.

Most of the bridge leading up to the castle is still intact, with the exception of one hole torn by another boulder. For the vast majority of people, crossing this hole is near impossible without extensive help from tools, construction scaffolds and whatnot. Not only is it a long jump, it also goes uphill, and the edges left by the boulder impact are precarious. It would be easy to fall short and plummet into the river, hit the jagged edge and get significantly injured, or (coming from the other direction) make the jump, but slip, crash on the bridge and maybe fall off to boot.

Shiver simply makes one prodigious leap and lands on the other side.

Sìle and Teeka watch this from the other side, both with raised eyebrows, both deciding to clap in recognition (Sìle more refined, Teeka overhead). "We will wait here," Sìle calls over, with Teeka adding "Flyeeng Murder Mare!"

Walking to the gate and making her proclamation, Shiver receives no answer, but she finds the gate unlocked. Entering the courtyard, she sees more boulders that rammed into the ground and crushed part of the wall and castle. The front door is closed, but remembering the view from outside town, she rounds the building and finds one side torn open from top to bottom, leaving a sea of stone and debris. Inside, she finds the main hall of the castle, where four guards stand, two women, two men. They look tired, distraught, and on edge, seemingly discussing what to do. As they spot Shiver, they briefly raise their weapons, but seeing she is seemingly neither a bandit nor a goblin, they slowly lower them. None of them look especially formidable to Shiver. Fit for town guard duty, sure, but hardly seasoned warriors, especially not in their current states.

"Is... is it true? The goblins are dead?" one of the women asks, looking like she is in her early twenties, eyes both red and with dark circles under them.
"I-it's been three days since, since th-the cloud castle came," one of the men, hardly more than a boy really, adds.
"Couldn't get out. Wager you saw the bridge. Hoped the villagers would be fine in the caves with the other guards. Goblins came today. Couldn't do more than try to do our duty," the other woman says, older than the rest, built sturdily, but also rather tired.

Further back in the room, in a rounded corner, Shiver spots a large table, upon which lies the body of a noblewoman lies, the face covered in a small blanket. It does not take much to guess she used to be the lady of Nightstone, and judging by the guards in front of the giantess, she was held in high regard. Enough to at least attempt to hold the castle and keep her remains from being desecrated, had the goblins been tenacious enough to get to either.

[MikelaC1]

Cloud castle? She didnt mention that. And how do we get word to the caves?

[Ridai]

The guard that last spoke decides to handle the talking.

"Go there, I guess. The caves're a couple hours to the north. 's where people're supposed to go in case of emergency. Normally would've been back by now, but maybe they're too scared still or something happened." General concern crosses the faces of the guards. "Don't think the goblins know 'bout the cloud castle. Only came by today to loot, from the looks of it. No one's in town to stop 'em. Free pickings," she says. "An' yeah, cloud castle. Showed up three days ago, started dropping boulders on our town. People fled. Saw four giants come on down, ripped the Nightstone right out the town square, flew back up with it and left. Hells know what they want with a big rock."

[MikelaC1]

So the castle and the goblins werent together? Are there any legends about magic and the rock, it has to be special to name a town after it. This might be more important than a bunch of goblins. She picks one of the guards at random. You, head to the caves and bring the people home. Sile, see if there are any archives with records about the stone. Shiver doesnt point out that the reason she assigns this to Sile is because she cant read.
Seeing as these people had a female lord before, she should be able to get them all pointed in the same direction

Spoiler: CHA check

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(1d20+5)[21] guess she doesnt have any "ranks", because its not fully "intimidate"

[Ridai]

(Sìle is not there, he is waiting with Teeka on the other side of the bridge, because neither of them can jump across the gap.)

In regards to goblins and giants: "The giants had no goblins with them."

In regards to the Nightstone: "Well, it was a big, impressive stone. Some magicky scholars came by once, called it a monolith and there's some magic in it, but otherwise seemed to be just a stone." The guard shrugs. "You got villages called Riverside because they're built beside a river."

In regards to going to the cave: "How did you get across the bridge?"

[MikelaC1]

Its just a jump. No big deal. Or if you have a board to lay across?

[Ridai]

When they hear the gap being "just a jump" and "no big deal", the guards give each other dim looks, but do not comment on the matter. The woman speaking for them rubs her forehead with a gloved hand, looking to one of the men and the other woman. "See if you can find enough rope to make it down into the river, and something to grab onto." Both nod and make their way around.

A short time later, they return, looking rather worried. "We, we met, uh, Lady Shiver's?" The young woman glances to Shiver as if to check the name is indeed correct. "uhm, 'retinue' on the other side of the bridge."

The young man continues. "They helped us make a rope bridge. The one called Sìle asked us where we were headed and once we told him, the captured...? goblin with him said the caves are where the goblin tribe is."

The news brings an uncomfortable silence to the hall, the two guards that brought the news looking extremely nervous, the other two as shocked as they were no doubt moments before.

Sìle and Teeka arrive soon after. The goblin still appears to be in the best of moods, holding Sìle's hand as she merrily skips across the debris.

"I took the liberty of dissuading this fine lady and gentleman from heading to the caves for their own safety, not that I doubt their bravery," Sìle adds, to break the awkward silence.
"Yes-yes! No want oggers eat beeg man and geerl!" Teeka feels to explain, still grinning, seemingly oblivious of how that makes the guards feel (namely, staring rather irately at the goblin). Sìle looks down to her, saying "Teeka. Please." In confusion, the goblin looks up at Sìle, then the guards, then Shiver, back to Sìle, back to the guards. Wheels turn in the goblin's head, and a lightbulb seems to switch on. "Teeka... sorry?"

"It may be best to head to the caves right away. However, it is up to you, Shiver. I do not think anyone here even begins to compare to your prowess in battle."

The guards all look to the guards Shiver. The one who had not spoken as of yet says "Please. Please save our people."

[MikelaC1]

Shiver considers...but she has nothing pressing on her plate at the moment and she cant return to her people right now, they always take advantage of her when she is in her "condition". If you are willing to follow my instructions and leadership, I will help

[Ridai]

The four tired guards look at each other, all of them running on too little sleep, some of them looking back at the body of their late lady, but they all nod in return.

[MikelaC1]

None of the guards look like they would be worth much in a fight, but perhaps the magic Sile wields can help. Is there anythinhg you can do for them?......are there any others in the castle?

[Ridai]

Sìle glances to the four guards, then back to Shiver. "A little, but it would stretch my magic energies thin. I am better at supporting one, perhaps two people, or altering the conditions of the battlefield."

In regards to the question, the tired guards answer "It is just us now. The rest either went with the villagers or died."

[MikelaC1]

You arent going to be any help in battle. Get some sleep so that when we return, you can help the refugees. Sile, Teeka and I will go and free them

[Ridai]

The guards salute and respond with a "Yes, ma'am", visibly relieved that help has arrived.

Returning to the bridge, they cross the improvised rope bridge. As they step back into the town section of Nightstone, they see seven people clad in dark leather ride into town across the drawbridge. They seem to stop on the town square, oen of them, apparently the leader, call towards the inn. It is hard to make out, but Shiver hears the name "Kella".

"Zhentarim," Sìle comments. "Whatever they are here for, I doubt it is good."

Teeka glances up to Sìle. "Zhents?"

"Bad people, Teeka."

"Ohhh!"

(Shiver and gang are at the south of the town, the Zhentarim are to the north on the town square. They do not appear to be aware of the group. One of them is going to the guard towers around the drawbridge.)

[MikelaC1]

Shiver is strong and maybe in frost giantess form she could take 7 Zhents but not as she is now. But its not going to do her rescue mission any good if she leaves the remaining townspeople to be massacred by them. She stays out of sight but starts to move to the guard tower as well, maybe she can catch the one breaking off from the group out of sight of the rest and silence him quickly.

[Ridai]

Truth be told, while it is certainly easier to go unnoticed at human size, Shiver has never been that good at going unnoticed. Sìle does not know exactly what the warrior is planning, but following her gaze to the top of the guard towers, he can figure well enough, moving with her. And as he does, Shiver feels she can move stealthily much more easily. Teeka seems to catch on to the sneaky shenanigans after a little while, as this is more her wheelhouse. She grins devilishly halfway to the guard towers and splits off the small group, heading towards the town square, but staying out of sight.

Together, Shiver and Sìle make their way in a long curve closer to the town palisade, until they reach the gate. This is the most precarious part, as they need to cross a short distance in plain view of the town square, where the Zhentarim are dismounting and discussing. Right on cue, two startled chicken run across the distant side of the square, the Zhentarim looking at the animals, giving Shiver and Sìle the needed window to get up the tower as the draw bridge is getting closed. Creeping up the stairs, they reach the open trapdoor leading up to the top of the tower, where one of the Zhents is grunting in exertion as she rotates the chain wheel on her own.

(Shiver and Sìle rolled well enough to get to the top of the tower unnoticed. Teeka is on distraction shenanigans duty somewhere down in the town. One Zhent on the open air tower top, turning the wheel, unaware of the two new arrivals.)

[MikelaC1]

Shiver summons all of her strength and swings her blade in a huge arc, aiming to separate head from body in one shot

Spoiler: Rolls

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(1d20+9)[13] attack & (2d6+6)[10] damage

[Ridai]

Shiver moves in and swings, cleaving head from body, the latter collapsing against the battlements pointing towards the fields and forests outside of Nightstone. The drawbridge is lifted only halfway, currently pointing into the sky at an angle. It does not look like the Zhentarim on the town square noticed the murder of one of their own. Near the guard tower and a bit below is the slanted shingled roof of the temple.

Sìle carefully keeps an eye on the Zhentarim with a small mirror while he crouches behind the battlements.

[MikelaC1]

Shiver instructs Sile to keep an eye on any of the Zhents approaching the drawbridge and to let her know the moment 2 or more wander too close to where it would come down...the moment they do, she will pull the lever loose and create the worlds first Zhentarium pancake.

[MikelaC1]

We need to split them up so I can pick them off one or two at a time. Does your magic have anything that might help in that regard?

[Ridai]

Sìle considers for a moment. He retrieves a small vial with an opague surface, pouring out a nice-smelling liquid (Shiver would guess some sort of perfume?), takes a tiny piece of stone, and holds it against the inside of the glass with one finger while keeping the cap ready with his thumb.

"This will be a gamble, so get ready to act, and fast," Sìle says, then makes an incantation. Immediately after, he lets the stone drop into the vial and seals it. Taking the big crossbow of the dead Zhentarim, he ties the vial to a bolt, loads it, and peeks across the battlements. A shot, a shout of pain, and at the same time, a big globe of utter darkness engulfs the town square, leading to many shouts about what is going on, that they are under attack, not knowing where this came from.

"We should get out of here," he says, promptly running back out of the guard tower and into the cover of the nearby temple. Whether Shiver stays in the guard tower or moves down, she hears commands to sweep the area, the Zhents spreading out while the leader seems to remain at the inn. The darkness globe remains, making it impossible to have line of sight through the town square. Two Zhents can be seen moving towards the still half-raised gate, their shouts directed at a "Miranda", most likely the dead Zhent upstairs.

Teeka also arrives down beside the temple, surprisingly fast and silent. And evidently having the time of her life.

[MikelaC1]

(If she can see a Zhent)
Shiver hustles her way to the nearest enemy opponent
(and if she has time to swing)
Her sword moves in a huge arc, once again aiming for a decapitation

Spoiler: ooc

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(1d20+8)[20] & [roll]2d6=6[/roll]

[MikelaC1]

(2d6+6)[16] damage

[Ridai]

Halfway between the town square and the gate, the two Zhentarim suddenly find a very tall and very angry woman charging at them, one of them watching as the other is easily decapitated. The remaining Zhent's shout turns into brief screaming as an orb of acid ends him.

The four remaining Zhents start to converge on Shiver's position. The leader and a woman emerge from the darkness, weapons ready, while two others come around from the south, shooting their heavy crossbows at Shiver, but missing her.

(Shiver's turn. All four Zhents in charge distance, in two groups of two. Both groups are spread out enough that you can only get in melee with one enemy at a time.)

[MikelaC1]

Knowing that Zhentarium are bullies under a strong leader but cowards without one, Shiver aims to take out the leader first. She covers the distance to him in a charge, ending with her characteristic double handed swing

Spoiler: ooc

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(d20+8)[10] attack & (2d6+6)[12] damage

[Ridai]

Leaving Sìle far, far behind her, Shiver charges right at the leader, but she finds her strike parried with ease by the half-elf.

"Get this bitch!" he shouts, as he retaliates with his scimitar and short sword, scoring a hit for 10 damage. The Zhent beside him moves to flank and attack Shiver, but suddenly hears a laughing shout from above ("Bree-yark!") as Teeka jumps from the temple roof (how fast is she that she got up there?) down on the black-clad woman and viciously stabs her in the neck repeatedly, all the way down to the ground as the woman collapses. Sìle runs down the street to catch back up to the action, ending up next to Shiver, providing a timely distraction.

The two other distant Zhents drop their crossbows, draw their swords and charge into the fray, but they simply cannot get a solid hit on Shiver, one simply glancing off her extremely tough skin.

(Shiver's turn. 58/68 HP. She is engaged by the leader and two Zhents, and receives a +4 circumstance bonus against the leader on her next attack thanks to Sìle. Sìle is engaging the leader. Teeka is close to the meleé.)

[MikelaC1]

Taking a bit more time for a more measured shot, Shiver aims to pay back the bitch comment in blood

Spoiler: ooc

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[roll]1b20+12[/roll] attack & (2d6+6)[13] damage

[MikelaC1]

Spoiler: ooc

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(1d20+12)[22] attack[