One of the hobgoblins says to another, "Tell the, Ghostlord, a visitor has come bearing a locked chest and is waiting here and will only release the item to the Ghostlord alone" The other nods in understanding and moves to depart, walking briskly toward double doors to the east.

The hobgoblin opens the doors only wide enough to barely permit his entrance, but curious party members might catch a brief, partial glimpse of the chamber that lies beyond. Natural light filters into this large chamber from somewhere to the east, where they might also see what looks like large stone teeth reaching up from the chamber's floor and also down from the chamber's roof. Then the door closes swiftly.

Several tense moments pass in the strange chamber as the two remaining hobgoblins stand in a curious, wide-hipped stance, the palms of their hands steepled at mid-chest height. The hobgoblins say nothing and remain as still as statues, adding to the tenseness that fills the dusty air.

"Marklin," Eoni said, prompting the armsman, "let's get the chest out."  She moved to help him, ignoring the hobgoblins.  She was surprised when they began speaking Common and hoped they hadn't read anything into the dwarf's comments.

Marklin releases a long, guarded breath of air and twists the corner of his mouth while giving Eoni an 'Are you sure about this?' look. Resigned to this course of action, Marklin assists with the task as instructed.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Sat 12 Jan 2019.

Sarah busies herself pretending to study the carvings on the wall furthest from the hobgoblins.

Valthur shifts his weight nervously from one foot to the other while he waits.

The party waits in awkward silence while the two hobgoblin monks stand in their peculiar, relaxed by alert pose. This drags on for what seems an eternity, but eventually the silence is broken by the sound of heavy footsteps coming from beyond the double doors to the west, the door the adventurers came through.

A few moments later, the double doors on the chamber's east wall open and in walks the hobgoblin monk who had disappeared to send word to the Ghostlord, and behind him, a strangely attractive hobgoblin woman with red hair woven into numerour braids and fitted with tiny bits of metal and ivory. The woman wears form-fitting leather trousers over shapely legs and over this, an open-sleeved chain shirt that glows in the chamber's dim light. She carries a pronged staff in her left hand and a coiled whip hangs from her leather belt.

The hobgoblin woman breezes into the chamber, the three monks positioning themselves between her and the adventurers. She then takes in the assembled band of adventurers, her striking bright blue eyes equal parts alluring and predatory. She gazes at the party for several seconds, offering a playful, seductive smile to each. No member escapes this level of examination.

When her thorough examination is complete she says, "Welcome messengers. I am told you have come bearing a gift from Azarr Kul?" Her voice is velvety smooth and there is only the slightest hint of the rough hobgoblin accent in it.

"A gift for the Ghostlord," Eoni replied, nodding toward the chest Marklin held, "and a test for us, I suppose.

"We're not the messenger's you'd expect," she conceded, "but it was obvious which way this war was going.  We wanted to be on the winning side.

"Let us present our gift to this Ghostlord and we'll be on our way."

The hobgoblin woman's mouth slowly twists into a confident smile as she tilts her chin slightly upward, revealing the attractive line of her neck, around which is an elegant mithral choker.

"Yes, unexpected guests you are, but guests bearing gifts nonetheless." She regards Marklin for a few moments and then says to him, "Unburden yourself with that heavy thing. Bring it forward. I accept your gift."

Clicking her tongue once she says, [Language unknown: Lilion, a ntwiis ngint sheionsta is findhe anint her areromcon heouce.]

One of the hobgoblin monks walks toward Marklin, ready to take possession of the chest.

"I believe we have a misunderstanding," the Sister said, holding up a hand to forestall the transfer.  "We were told the Ghostlord was... very old.  As well, the description we were given was... unappealing.

"We were ordered to present this only to the Ghostlord."

The hobgoblin woman responds coolly, "Then yes, you may have misunderstood." She offers a smile and continues, "Any gift you have brought, from Azarr Kul to be given to the Ghostlord, I will gladly receive."

She throws her head back, her braided locks fanning out behind her like a regal plume. "I am Wyrmlord Ulwai Stormcaller, third in command of the Red Hand. Please kindly have your manservant hand over the chest, so that we may bring it to the Ghostlord at once."

She fixes her keen blue eyes on Eoni while awaiting a response.

"As you wish Wyrmlord," the Sister relinquished with a short bow, adding a nod to Marklin.

"There is, however, a message I was told to memorize for the presentation," she added.  "It's a bit complicated, with a dance."

Marklin holds the chest out for the hobgoblin monk though is not happy to do so. The hobgoblin monk comes forward and takes possession of it.

Wyrmlord Ulwai smiles confidently. "Very well, let's see your, little dance," she says.

[Language unknown: "Fi ess tio nonaus al! Il ar ovevorthutic,"] Wyrmlord Ulwai says to the monks.

"Very well," she said, taking a deep breath, shaking out her hands and feet. "It wasn't easy to remember."

She began slowly chanting out the words as she concentrated on moving her hands and feet in an unfamiliar pattern.  Although unsure at first, she finished the last with a practiced flourish.

"Ghostlord grant us your good will,
we're all ready with our skill.

Avandra's Grace and blessed will,
keep us safe and evil still."

[Private to DM Pawn:
Hold Person concentrated on the Wyrmlord.  Save vs Spells at -2.
Now we see who catches on...]

Wyrmlord Ulwai bemusedly watches Eoni perform her dance, though in truth her thoughts are what might lie within the iron chest. This causes her to let down her guard just enough to give the Sister of Avandra the time needed to weave her spell.

A look of recognition and subsequent rage flashes across the Wyrmlord's face just moments before Eoni completes the final somatic components of her spell. Motes of divine energy coalesce around Wyrlord Ulwai's mind, and try as she might, she is unable to throw off the mystic web that descends over her mind. Wyrmlord Ulwai becomes rooted in place, caught in catatonic state!

But, this ruse does not escape the notice of the Doom Hand Monks who quickly look back and forth between their leader and the adventurers. The hobgoblin carrying the chest lets go of the bulky item and it slams to the stone floor with a loud, metallic crash.

[Language unknown: Ek! Amepreson! Rengus str herintentbut os ioal Ndesomounlar!] one calls out. The others grab the chains at their side and, with a quick flick of their wrists, have their Dragonchains ready for battle!

With lightning precision, they both target Eoni, striking her twice with their deadly dragonchains. One of which begins to coil around her arm quickly!

OOC: Eoni takes 7 damage and must make a Save vs Dragon Breath to avoid being grappled.

Doom Hand Monks
AC 8
HP: 11/11, 11/11, 11/11

Wyrmlord Ulwai Stormcaller
AC: 4
HP: ??/?? [Private to GM: 32/32] (Held for 9 rounds)


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8   3/15   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  11/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  13/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Sarah      4   9/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  13/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  17/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14


PCs are UP!]

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:44, Mon 14 Jan 2019.

Taerix was sure he'd be shooting something before too long. In this case, he readies his bow and shoots an arrow at the monk trying to grapple Eoni. Unfortunately, he just wings it.

23:00, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Arrow damage.

22:59, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 11 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 7.  Shoot the monk.

As the wyrmlord directs her lackies to engage, Valthur expels a sigh of relief. "Bad choice, uglies! I've been waiting for this."

He swings at the first hobgoblin he sees, and the result brings him a certain sense of satisfaction. He never liked negotiations. The melee in front of him now was definitely more in his area of expertise.

23:19, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 11 13 using 1d20+2 4 with rolls of 9.  Battle axe vs. nearest hobgoblin.
23:20, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 8 10 using 1d8+2 4 with rolls of 6.  Damage.

Oops, forgot the modifier for Valthur's axe is +3 (+2 for STR and +1 for the magicalness of the axe itself)... yes, I know, it's a poor fighter (dwarf) who can't even remember his own modifier. How embarrassing.

Oops part 2, forgot the +1 for bless, as well (making his axe +4 total)


[Private to GM: I think I'm at 17 hit points now, thanks to Eoni's healings in msg# 45 (4 hp, which I lost right away to the lion) and msg# 53 (7 hp).]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:29, Tue 15 Jan 2019.

Aldara gasps at just how everything plays out!  Then, she collects herself and readies a spell for the monks.  She attempts to call an illusion up, of a spider the size of a dog.

Phantasmal force to create an image of a dog-sized spider to "attack" the hobgoblin who is trying to grapple Eoni.

Eoni used her free hand to untangle the chain that bound her and dodged behind Marklin as the armsman stepped up.  She wanted to secure the chest, but it's latest handler stood almost directly above it.

She really hoped the phylactery wasn't fragile.

Marklin hurriedly draws his sword and rushes up to engage the hobgoblin Valthur just struck. The veteran swordsman plunges his blade into its chest, easily dispatching his foe.

"Woulda been nice to know this was in the cards, Captain!!!" he shouts over his shoulder while keeping an eye on the two hobgoblins now twirling the dragon-headed chains with great fluidity.


18:14, Today: Marklin rolled 14,7 using d20+2,d8+1 with rolls of 12,6.

"They're with the Red Hand!" the Sister shouted back at Marklin.  "Of course this wasn't going to end well!"

Sarah is practiced in reaching for her darts, and she grabs a couple and flings them at one of the hobgoblins.  She is cautious, to avoid hitting her companions -- perhaps overly so, as her missiles veer wide of the target.

20:39, Today: Sarah rolled 6,1 using d20+3,d4 with rolls of 3,1.  darts (9 to hit).

Taerix and Valthur combine attacks against one of the Doom Hand Monks, taking thhe hobgoblin down early in the battle.

Meanwhile, Aldara weaves an illusionary spider that is soon squaring off against another hobgoblin. For its part, the hobgoblin believe the illusion to be real and attempts to strike the spider with a flurry of blows, but Aldara manipulates the monster in a fashion that confounds the nimble monk.

The third monk rushes forward and leaps across the space between it and Eoni, attempting to kick the cleric int he face. Somehow, Eoni dodges to the side and the hobgoblin lands beside her and attempts to sweep her legs out from underneath her. Again, she jumps free of the attack, albeit barely.

Finally, the western double door crashes open and in rush three more Doom Hand Monks and behind them, two Doom Hand Clerics of Tiamat wielding heavy maces and steel shields emblazoned with the holy symbol of their patron deity.

[Language unknown: "Rutiv onfi enure tronendi n her Ncenbeno! Entri tace ntethoatiund nd iou eina sonarewhetha! Arurur wh prchse Iveineingpro plicprll ersorekor!"] one Doom Hand Cleric shouts in their harsh tongue.

The other calls out in the Common Tongue, "Doom, despair and death await you all! By the Red Hand of Doom, we shall bring it! Surrender now, and we may see fit to allow you to live to see another dawn!"


OOC:

Doom Hand Monks
AC 8
HP: 0/11, 4/11 (next to Wyrmlord), 11/11 (Eoni), 11/11 (behind party), 11/11 (behind party), 11/11 (behind party)

Doom Hand Clerics
AC: 3
HP: 20/20, 20/20 (both behind party)

Wyrmlord Ulwai Stormcaller
AC: 4
HP: ??/?? [Private to GM: 32/32] (Held for 8 rounds)


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Aldara     8   3/15   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Eoni       8  11/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Marklin    2  13/19   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Sarah      4  14/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  13/22   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valthur    4  17/26   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14


PCs are UP!]

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:25, Wed 16 Jan 2019.

Marklin steps over the body of one Doom Monk to get to the one standing guard over the held Wyrmlord. With an efficient slash of his sword, the veteran fighter cuts down another hobgoblin and calls out over his shoulder, "The broad gets it next!"

"We've brought your phylactery back!" the Sister shouted, pointing at Valthur and not the chest at her feet.

Marklin may be able to buy them some time, but they needed something the hobgoblins might really be scared of.

Sarah draws her sword and dashes forward to aid Eoni.  She successfully nicks the hobgoblin, if barely.

19:47, Today: Sarah rolled 9,4 using d20,d8 with rolls of 9,4.  Attack Monk (9 to hit).


[Private to DM Pawn: OOC: You may recall that I drank that healing potion . . . my HP should be 14]