Session 13: Neeble's Fall; Blackiron's Rise
The battle resumes on Grunk's turn! He sidles into the courtyard and shoots at Rutana with a shortbow.
Clarence whips out his new sword, the Black Tide, and cuts a goblin dog right in half. He follows up by slashing at Neeble, dealing some decent damage.
Rutana joins Clarence in stabbing at Neeble, but can't get through his bulk to do any damage.
A little goblin steps forward from the crowd. He draws himself to his full height and clears his throat, preparing to deliver a stunning rendition of The Song That Never Ends—then gets backhanded by Neeble scratching his own ass.
A second goblin runs up beside the first. He opens his mouth, but gets stage fright and cannot sing.
Zerex is prepared to show these little buggers how a real goblin fights. He stabs at Sartorii once, twice, thrice—but overbalances and falls off the wall, plummeting to his death.
After a brief "Wait how does preparing spells work" discussion, the Sprite magic missiles Neeble in the face once more. Neeble is starting to look worse for wear, stomping around angrily with spittle flying from his mouth.
Sartorii follows it up with an arrow to the back of his neck.
And Neeble turns his attention on Rutana.
(DM: Oh god, not max damage!)
Rutana takes 17 damage to the head and is grabbed. She survives with one health...at least until Neeble flings Rutana at Clarence, dealing 7 damage to Rutana and 15 to Clarence. Clarence survives with one health!
Grunk tries to take advantage of the chaos by stabbing at Clarence, missing each swing.
Clarence sidesteps Grunk and continues slashing at Neeble. He kicks off with a leg that should not be used right now but which propels him anyway and slashes his blade across Neeble's neck. Black water follows the blade through the air, and when the water dissipates, Neeble's head falls off his neck. The rest of the giant slowly collapses onto the ground with a meaty thud.
When the dust settles, the Sprite flits over to Rutana's side. He finesses the Wand of Healing from her bags and pokes her head in it. She heals 14!
The Sprite sneaks the wand back into Rutana's pocket, totally sneaky.
Mazkol struts out of the bushes, Wix following sheepishly at his heels. Rend and Ruin descend upon Neeble's body for a nice snack.
"The soldies of Mazkol have defeated Neeble. Mazkol is in charge now. Any objections?"
There are none.
Mazkol declares the Tall Folks (and Sprite) as friends of their new clan, Clan Blackiron. The gathered goblins begin a chant cheering for Mazkol.
Mazkol then calls the party aside for a Talk.
Mazkol keeps glancing at Clarence's new sword.
He wants to know what his clan can expect of New Stetsman. He is wary of military action against Fort First.
The Sprite explains how they got this job, and how the job is now complete. They will tell Segrid First that there is only ghosts here now, and goblins a goblin clan that does not mean any harm.
Mazkol vows the aid of Clan Blackiron, should the party ever need it, granted proper compensation.
Some math ensues, and the party levels up to 3 with 10 XP leftover.
The party returns to New Stetsman with little issue.
They stop by their tower first to drop off Sweet the Terrorbird.
26 Abbadeus, 4720, 12 days until the full moon, 5 days until rent.
Noon.
Available locations:
Astrafel's post
The farmer who built our fence
The Red Swallow tavern
Segrid First's manor
Naialah's barber shop
Besh >:C
Sartorii offers room in the tower to Ser Dori.
Lord First's abode seems in better repair than when last the party visited. Shingles repaired, windows cleaned, hedges trimmed.
The party walks up to the door and knocks. A rather dour-looking elf opens the door and looks down upon the party. He sees the party fit out like adventurers and assumes they're here for the Fort First situation, and ushers them in.
Segrid emerges immediately, utterly delighted. He offers the party lunch! And Sartorii offers story time.
He orders a special chair for the Sprite (woo high chair!) and takes the party to a patio overlooking the sea. A fine lunch is set before them, fancy sandwich fixins with fine bread and delicious roast, greens and pickled veggies and seasoned butter. Also horseradish. Rich bitch lunch!
The Sprite takes out the First family portrait, sets it up nicely on the table, then sits for his meal. A servant cuts the food for him into little Sprite-sized portions.
Segrid is impressed! The painting is very rare!
"So what did you find, then?"
"Ghosts."
Sartorii and the Sprite shared the story of meeting the warden ghost, Justice, and how they got the full roster of those who inhabited the tower. Segrid is highly amused at how the party used diplomacy here.
They mention Captain Doran in the vault, who showed the party to First's treasure.
The party all then looks to Clarence, who places his sword on the table.
Segrid claps his hands and a servant brings him the sword. He draws it with that rasp of water over a pebbled beach. He admires it for a while, then re-sheathes it and thanks the party.
Segrid suggests the party think about branding and come up with a team name.
After further discussion about Captain Doran and the tower, Segrid bids the party adieu and sees them out.
A few hours after the party leaves, there comes a knock at the door of Segrid First.
A man dressed in all-white robes with a white clasp is let in, Segrid bowing and scraping before him.
The man walks into the foyer where he runs a finger over the scabbard of the Black Tide. When he pulls his finger away he turns to Segrid and throws him a sizeable pouch of platinum.
He picks up the sword and in a wispy whisper says, "This will do...nicely."
The man disappears in a puff of smoke.