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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 6053246" data-attributes="member: 16069">KOTS Part 7: Torture is bad.[sblock=Party Line Up]The Hard Core Adventurers Level 1 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080414701/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8080414701_f913bdccb7_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a> Sigur now toting his +1 Rod of Absorption.[/sblock]Jimmy and Gokan take the lead, the pair get a head-start on the other adventurers, moving as silently as they can down the western passage, which soon turns to head north. The corridor ends in a slightly more open area with three possible exits- Jimmy and Gokan get to work as the rest of the group stay back- observing and watching the rear.Finally the two return to the fold.“Well?” Sigur barks.“No noise from the door to the east and west- dunno about them, door to the north sounds of goblins- having fun, exactly as both goblin prisoners said.” Jimmy reports, and mock salutes Sigur.The dwarf lets it pass, although as usual fails to look happy.“Torture chamber- north then...” Sigur states.The adventurers creep forward as best they can, although with a closed door and the sounds of a creature shouting orders beyond the door, they're pretty safe.They form a half-circle around the door- make ready their weapons, or spells, and one-by-one nod to Jimmy to indicate they're ready for action.Hal is the last to confirm.Jimmy has already checked the door is unlocked, the halfling barges it open and leaps in to the chamber...The torture chamber is large but poorly appointed, Sigur is a little disappointed. [sblock=Picture- Jimmy steps in…]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080465736/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8080465736_ba343ddc50_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]There are only four goblinoids in sight- the closest armed with a short sword and wearing leather armour, further back another hand crossbow wielding goblin sharpshooter. In the centre of the chamber is a rack behind which are a third goblin- similarly armed and attired as the first goblin, except also clutching a shield in its off hand.The fourth goblinoid, also behind the rack- formerly barking orders it seems, is a hulking hobgoblin commander- clad in thick scale armour, toting a heavy shield and grasping a wicked spear.“Time to kick ass!” Jimmy adds, somewhat mischievously...Jimmy's dagger thuds in to the closest goblin, the blackblade; the creature is mid-turn to face the halfling, it staggers backwards, flailing- trying to stay on its feet.[sblock=Goblin Blackblade]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080278022/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8325/8080278022_80034a61b4.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a> Goblin Blackblade Lurker Level 1 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682045654/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8682045654_2012537be7_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]Gokan surges past Jimmy, covers the distance to the goblin cutthroat in an instant and unleashes hell; the half-orc's axes take the goblinoid completely by surprise. Gokan's hand axe smashes in to the goblin's spine, his battleaxe in the cleft between the creature's shoulder and neck.[sblock=Goblin Cutthroat]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080279970/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8080279970_6670f5368e.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a> Goblin Cutthroat Skirmisher Level 1 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682044834/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8682044834_f870f0aea7_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]The cutthroat's eyes flutter madly, “a battleaxe”, it mutters- looking down at the blade, and then flops to the floor to slither in its own blood for a little while.[sblock=Info]Gokan does a massive 37 hit points damage with his Charge Howling Strike and Furious Assault.[/sblock]Gokan, grinning and howling, moves on- slashes at the hobgoblin, and growls his displeasure. The commander is made of sterner stuff; it somehow finds the wherewithal to parry a majority of the half-orc's attacks.[sblock=Hobgoblin Subcommander]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080285525/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8469/8080285525_cfcc45ac50.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a> Hobgoblin Subcommander Elite Soldier Level 2 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680931223/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8528/8680931223_7051f2ac5c_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]“Fight me!” The hobgoblin roars, and puffs out its chest.“I am!” Gokan hisses.Tonka lurches in to the chamber, dashes forward, “for Bahamut!” the dragonborn screams, as it cuts down the already injured goblin blackblade.Sigur grumbles and the room is suddenly rocked by twin thunderclaps, the two remaining goblinoids suffer in the explosions; both are sent spinning backwards, scrabbling furiously to stay on their feet and pointing in the right direction.Hal heads in full pelt; the metal man vaults the rack and then smashes his greatsword in to the hobgoblin commander, although the goblinoid is adept enough to deflect much of the force of the blow with its shield.[sblock=Picture- The opening charge]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080465488/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8080465488_c22ec21be6_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]“Fight me, squishy one.” Hal simply states.The hobgoblin maintains its calm demeanour- it merely nods and grunts at the metal man.Jimmy is all action, instantly spotting the opening, the halfling scurries forward- crouched low beneath the rack, and the hobgoblin commander's eye-line. Then forward again- the halfling pops up unseen and unheard behind the great goblin- and stabs it in the back. The creature staggers, drops its defences, and seems incapable of standing still- woozy on its feet.[sblock=Info]Jimmy's Sly Flourish with added Surprise Strike leaves the Hobgoblin Subcommander Dazed.[/sblock]The creature yells out- “To me!” Staggers some more, as if drunk and thrusts its spear in Hal's general direction, the metal man easily parries the weak attack. Gokan continues to menace the hobgoblin, but the creature has enough about it to avoid the half-orc’s bumbling attacks. The sharpshooter scuttles back, leaps on top of a table, screaming all the while- “ABRAKEBABRA!”[sblock=Goblin Sharpshooter]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8127305697/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8127305697_5c46d8e97a.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a> Goblin Sharpshooter Artillery Level 2 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680932813/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8680932813_d90ca75e55_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]Its hand crossbow sings, Jimmy suddenly clutches at his arm, although a fast fading shield bearing the emblem of the platinum dragon seems to have taken much of the force out of the shot. Jimmy hollers- “nice one Tonka.” But the dragonborn has other concerns...Tonka spies west, a passage heads from the torture chamber, with a myriad cells set on the north wall- that's not the problem however. The problem is the goblin with a wand in one hand and a nasty looking knife in the other. The creature has the same ritualistic runes tattooed on its head.[sblock=Picture- Tonka spots the Cursespewer]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080465154/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8080465154_d4d5476dbc_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]“Wizard!” Tonka screams, which gets more or less everyone's attention.[sblock=Goblin Cursespewer]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080280090/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8080280090_9543dcf599.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a> Goblin Cursespewer Artillery Level 3 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680933339/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8680933339_60fccbd038_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]“Abrakebabra!” The sharpshooter on the table leaps in to the air and clicks its heels together, in celebration.Tonka lopes forward, chewing and swallowing furiously en route to the goblin caster. The dragonborn pulls up short and violently exhales- great jagged bolts of lightning buzz and harry the goblin, although when the smoke clears it seems almost unhurt.Tonka shrugs, and the charges the foul creature, which ducks and dodges just in the nick of time, the dragonborn is forced to quickly manoeuvre to save himself from rushing on. Tonka skids to a halt, and then with shield and sword to the fore, turns and slams in to the cursespewer, the goblin lurches and yelps and grumbles- bruised and battered.Sigur bumbles forward, positions himself deliberately in the centre of the chamber, and swiftly invokes a trio of ghostly hands- each of which streaks to its target. All three goblinoids are slapped and scorched by the invoker’s radiant appendages.“If you want a job doing...” Sigur grumbles and repeats the trick- with similar results, it seems the dwarf has his eye in.The effects of Sigur's invocations are terrible- for the goblins. The sharpshooter is left clinging on to the table and its life, the cursespewer has one arm out braced against the wall trying to prop itself up while it keeps Tonka at bay with its dagger- no mean feat.The hobgoblin, already dazed and drooling after Jimmy's strike, is now possessed of dancing legs and feet. It looks like it could collapse at any moment, and worse still one side of its head and face smokes as its flesh burns and crisps in the shape of one Sigur's radiant hands.A lesser creature would surrender, but that word is not in the hobgoblin subcommander's dictionary.“To the death...” The creature mumbles.And is duly cut down by Hal.“Affirmative.” The metal man confirms.[sblock=Picture- Hal slays the Hobgoblin]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080471191/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8080471191_b7df5e2198_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]The goblin cursespewer manages to push itself away from the wall- back on to its feet, it scrambles backwards, avoiding Tonka's wild swing.The cursespewer does what it does best- chants and curses, directing its sting at Tonka, for a second nothing happens as the goblin finishes its strange garbled phrases and points at the dragonborn.Tonka stands statue.Then looks about himself.“Nope. Nothing.” The dragonborn grins and stomps forward, longsword in hand.The end is nigh- for the goblins.Jimmy turns to face his assailant; the sharpshooter continues to make hard work of standing on a table. Suddenly the goblin sprouts a dagger from its chest, it stumbles, fumbles and spills its weapon, then sits down hard on the table to bleed out, and die.[sblock=Picture- Jimmy takes out the Sharpshooter]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080470847/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8080470847_3d07b2df1e_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]Gokan kicks in to action, screams and howls and launches himself around the rack and down the corridor. The cursespewer frantically yelps and attempts to unleash its foul magic as the half-orc barrels down the passageway towards it.While the goblin is distracted, Tonka shuffles forward and to the side of the spell-caster and runs it through...“Aaaaaeeeghhhh...Oh!”[sblock=Picture- Tonka takes out the Cursespewer]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080470479/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8080470479_17ffe0a8f5_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>[/sblock]Gokan slows to a trot, to a walk and then finally to a saunter as he reaches Tonka and the last fallen goblin.The half-orc grunts and nods at the dragonborn- satisfied, it seems Tonka has earned his stripes. Tonka beams.“Right then- clear this place up, and search the bodies...” Tonka declares and claps his hands for emphasis. Sigur gives the dragonborn a long hard stare, and then thinks better of it- the dwarf gets busy.[sblock=Encounter #7 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8080463934/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8080463934_41308a62b9_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>Encounter #7 The Torture Chamber, starring-Goblin Blackblade (Lurker 1) x1Goblin Cutthroat (Skirmisher 1) x1Goblin Sharpshooter (Artillery 2) x1Goblin Cursespewer (Artillery 3) x1Hobgoblin Subcommander (Elite Soldier 2) x1725 XP Level 2 Encounter Again just a change of personnel really, I hoped that the 3rd Level Cursespewer, hidden away, would prove its worth- alas the PCs never really missed an attack.PC XP145 XP each for a total of 1094 XP in total (PCs Level 1).Enough XP for Level 2 but the players are on the Goblin’s trail… after a short discussion they decide to press on.DM Thoughts-I, of course, realise that some of these encounters are proving to be very one-sided affairs- but the tough ones, believe me... well, they're tough- it does the PCs good to think themselves invulnerable every now and then. It also plays quick around the table with all the guys getting a chance to unload multiple attacks and kill a bunch of bad guys.As you can see we're still pretty much sticking to the story-line in the module, as I said earlier it gets weird later on. Also so far we've played the encounters like delves-1)    Kobold Ambush, followed by 2) The Ancient Burial Site, then on to 3) Outside the Kobold Lair, and inevitably 4) The Kobold Lair.We're obviously doing the same again in the Keep-5)    The Goblin Guardroom, followed by 6) The Excavation Site, and 7) The Torture Chamber, which obviously leads us to 8) The Goblin Chief.Which is where we're going next, be aware however I'm still going to push them to the limit, make it tough going, as you'll see.[/sblock]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8045379331/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8045379331_db4ec5676e.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a></blockquote>

Verification