From Citadel to Bastion: The Sunless Citadel

[GruTheWanderer]

Several torches mounted in crude wall sconces burn fitfully in this chamber, filling the air with a haze that blurs sight. A double row of marble columns carved with entwining dragons marches the length of the hall.

The hall is twenty feet wide and sixty feet long, and resembles the central corridor of the kobold territory. There is one door to the west, behind which is the burble of many guttural voices. There are three doors to the north, and behind the easternmost door you hear an occasional crash or tearing sound. There are two doors to the east and southeast, slightly ajar, and you see hobgoblins within, moving barrels about.

 

[Uzumaki]

"Few moren' I'd hoped," Florian whispers, his voice low. "Doesn't look like they know we're here. If we attack, the other hobgobs'll likely hear, and, assuming there're more behind that door," He nods toward the eastern north door," they could overwhelm us. Coulda used that spell right about now...."

 

[Inez Hull]

"How 'bout this then. We all get out our bows an' try to quickly take out the hobbos without raisin' the alarm. Then we can concentrate on the little scum in there," he nods to the west door and rubs his hands together.

 

[GruTheWanderer]

After pausing for a few more moments, you are reasonably sure that only two hobgoblins wait in each of the eastern rooms.

The racket behind the northeast door (J1) continues, and now a low voice is also apparent. The voice is very unlike a goblin, and is speaking in Draconic.

 

[Vargo]

Khaira, who speaks draconic, listens to the voice, trying to make out any words she can.

 

[Inez Hull]

"C'mon, there's only four hobbos. We can take 'em out quick an' then check out the other doors"

 

[GruTheWanderer]

The voice seems reptilian, and is making disparaging remarks about the intelligence of goblins. It also seems fairly petulant.

 

[Catulle]

Lucas looked to Khudaglun again "I think I'd be best put to use screening our archers from any that survive the first voley and attempt to rush us. It's not like I can do a quick switch with this strapped to by arm anyway." He indicated his shield, "The faster we can take them down, though, the better."

 

[GruTheWanderer]

Preparing bows and crossbows, you open fire on the hobgoblins in one of the rooms. Florian scores a critical hit on his first shot, but the others miss.

The other hobgoblin shouts a challenge, alerting the two in the other room. They hurl javelins back, and Florian is hit (3 damage).

The party takes the opportunity to fire another volley. This time Quendros and Florian score criticals, dropping two more of the humanoids.

The last remaining hobgoblin charges out of the room, yelling at the top of his lungs. Lucas tries to hit him, but suffers a nasty cut instead (6 damage). Florian finishes the battle with a stroke from his greatsword.

The voice in the northeast room has grown quiet. The hubbub of many voices from the western door continues without pause.

Examination of the two rooms formerly occupied by the hobgoblins reveal the eastern door in each room is barricaded. The northern room looks like it once served as a prison. The southern room contains supplies, likely stolen from merchant caravans.

 

[Inez Hull]

"Well that didn't exactly go to plan but the gobs are still in blissful ign'rance. Lets check out all these rooms while we got the chance and then we can get to splittin' heads."