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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 6690786" data-attributes="member: 16069">Chapter 7: Goblin tide. CHECKEDThe adventurers cautiously head back out into the main passage- once more they are alongside the fast running shallow waterway, however they have a plan this time. The quartet edge forward, upstream, on the look out for enemies, particularly on the crude rope-and-plank bridge ahead and above. Zyler uses his glowing shield like a torch, seeking to light the dark places ahead.The four make it back to the side passage they investigated earlier, no sightings. The way ahead is rough terrain, a series of low rocky ledges like steps, and at the top a chamber poorly illuminated by a flickering light- probably a camp fire. Every now and then the light is occluded causing the rocky passage to be filled with giant emaciated shadows. There are creatures moving about up there, the sound of the stream alas prevents the adventurers from hearing them. Zyler proffers a thumbs up signal, Grimm echoes the sign- the pair grin at each other, in the background Hellwhip shakes his head and mutters to himself. The priest of Tempus scuttles perhaps ten feet forwards, mostly in an upwards direction- the passage is even steeper than it looks. Alas the weight of the hefty human causes a swathe of loose rock to slide and tumble from beneath his feet; for a moment Zyler dances and then deftly lurches forward and onto solid ground. Grimm, still grinning below him, is less fortunate- the paladin is hit by a dozen or more falling rocks of various sizes, and hurt, he stifles cuss words and cradles his now fractured arm. The paladin's touch is however warm against the numb, a second later and Grimm's hurt is entirely forgotten. He grins up at Zyler, motions another thumbs up, and then turns to share his smile with his other companions.That's when he spots the second tidal wave.Much too late to warn Zalt, Hellwhip quickly rushes out of the wave's path and into the rocky passage, the warlock however is flat-footed and with nowhere left to run. The surging water picks the half-elf up, but only for a short moment, and then smashes him down again onto the rough stone of the passage. Zalt is sent spinning out of the cavern tumbling and rolling- battered and bloodied by the roaring tide.In the same moment two goblins lope into view on the rope bridge, “Cragmaw Goblins Rule!” The pair scream in unison and then fire their shortbows at Grimm who ducks back just in time. Two more of the filthy humanoids come rushing down the shallow stream, shouting and hollering, with their scimitars raised above their heads. Grimm and Hellwhip are swiftly into action, Zyler follows on a moment later after scrabbling back down the rocky slope. The trio at first prove ineffective- Hellwhip is cut badly when one of the goblins opens a six inch gash on his right forearm. Grimm takes an arrow to his side, the missile leaves a burning hot trail in his flesh. The priest of Tempus prays away Grimm's hurt, a moment later Zalt, only a little recovered, lurches back into the cavern. The young lad seems enchanted, else hypnotised- with staring eyes, Zyler notes; the priest whispers fervent prayers and the warlocks wounds are almost entirely healed.Zalt doesn't stop or else acknowledge Zyler, he plods on- the rushing tide in his head, a glorious chorus of pulsing sound, he shapes and funnels the noise and then reaches out with his hand as if grasping. One of the goblins up on the rope bridge suddenly clutches at its head. A moment later the creature's skull explodes sending blood and bone fragments everywhere, the decapitated humanoid plunges off the bridge, and smashes into the stone of the cavern passage. Grimm, Hellwhip and Zyler individually and collectively gawp, they also redouble their efforts and in scant moments the two goblins they are facing are cut down. The last goblin situated on the bridge, momentarily stunned by the death of his companion, shakes himself awake and runs screaming. Not fast enough- Hellwhip has already dropped his shortswords and has his long bow in hand, the ranger fires and thumps an arrow into the fleeing miscreant's shoulder. The force of the hit is enough to fling the goblin backwards off the bridge, it plummets to its death. The fast flowing stream washes all four of the goblins' bodies down to nestle at the feet of the adventurers.“Nice shooting!” Grimm declares, and then winks at the ranger.Hellwhip, before he can help himself, replies with a nod and a grin.Zyler quickly mutters a short and sometimes loud prayer to Tempus- the Lord of Battle, Grimm tuts and shakes his head in the background. Hellwhip alas is still clutching at his side, blood pours from the wound, the ranger suddenly winces and then sags, “I don't think I can go on”, he declares, and then grabs at the cavern wall for support.“We should retreat to the outside of the cavern, and rest- but keep a close eye on this place. They know we're here now, the next move is theirs.” Grimm plainly states.The paladin's companions see the sense in this, collect up their ammunition and then drag the four dead goblins out of the cave to search. Minutes later the adventurers are mostly hidden in the bushes either side of the cave entrance, Zyler doing the best he can to staunch Hellwhip's wound.</blockquote>

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