2: Return to the Monastery of the Iron God

Nim Takes another stab at a nearby goblin, this time hopefully introducing a foe to the pointy end of his dagger...

But, the confusion of battle continues to hinder the elf's efforts.

Wilric sticks to the walls attempting to flank the Goblins, releasing two more arrows as he goes . . .

Horace swings his sword at another goblin.

Growling at the goblin that managed to dodge his attack beforehand, Eagerwish slashes at his foe once again!

Chaos explodes in the room as the knight sticks his blade through the chest of a second goblin and Wilric looses an arrow that knocks another one back. Eagerwish wishes eagerly to make a killing blow, but a wish is all that is. The hirelings leap to action, and a sickening crunch resounds from Wardhall's mace as it crushes a goblin.

Even Czespecem manages to take advantage of the situation, with his blessed shovel cleaving a goblin violently; the keened bladed end slicing through the creature effortlessly. The five remaining goblins scream in terror at the horror beset upon them, for three of the dead had told the others of the damned dwarf! The Goblin Scourge was here, and they must flee! The pitiful creatures turn and try to flee out the door along the south wall, all wits having abandoned them. Czespecem watches as a goblin turns before him in fear, and shoves his shovel clean through the back until it emerges from the goblin's chest.

Determined to bring at least one of his foes down, Eagerwish strikes at the back of the fleeing goblin!

A wicked smile flickers upon his lips as he writes the songs of his deeds within this dungeon, he slowly notches another arrow looking for a gap to hit another goblin. None comes as the goblins flee . . .

Nim takes another stab at the fleeing goblins. Surely, he will hit one of them, eventually...

As two of the three goblins fall, the final survivor scurries into the next room. It is easy enough to overtake him and put him out of his misery, thus ending the goblin menace... or so you hope. A door to the south stands closed before you, and there is still the door heading east from the tapestry room. Or, if you are happy with your spoils, there is the way out and back to town. A nagging feeling in the back of Czespecem's mind tells him there is more work to do.

End of Combat

You find yourselves in another room that seems to be surrounding the tapestry chamber, with a trail of dead goblins behind you. In this chamber, underneath ruined tapestries and blankets, lie the bodies of Czespecem's fallen companions and the goblins killed earlier. Altogether there are seventeen dead goblins, and several small piles of treasure uncleverly hidden.

There is a silver goblet, a necklace, two potions of unknown quality, two garnets, a jade pendant, ten pounds of grave-trinkets in a sack, 160gp in coin, and 2000sp. There are also three tapestries of fine, if old, quality still hanging in one of the previous chambers. You also find a small pile, likely the goblin's original treasure; six forks, five spoons, and a rusting dagger.

Can Czespecem tell whether the 2000 sp are the cache of silver coin that the Iron God said to leave alone?

Short answer, they are not the coins in question.

"I say we take our winnings out of here," the dwarf says pragmatically, "cash out, equip, and come back with a larger force to really cleanse this place."

Wilric likes the Dwarf’s think on this one, "Your plan is solid Czespecem. A couple of nights of luxury is never something to scoff at." The young Halfling starts to help collect whatever treasure is lying around.

"I concur," Nim adds. "Besides, all that fighting has left me parched and famished."

Looking a little annoyed at his companions, Horace voices his opinion.
"Did those goblins scare you? They were nothing. Obviously this group is destined to vanquish the evil. I think we should continue forward. Surely the goblins defeat will strike fear into whatever lurks here. "

It is a quiet journey back through the tapestry room and to the entrance to the keep with treasure in hand. It is quite late at this point when you exit the monastery, and after a full day of travel and combat you find it nearly impossible to continue on. You have the option to make a camp hidden away, or to begin your return to the waystation.

"Orcs' teeth," says the dwarf wearily, "I'm tired." He looks to his companions in the dimming light. "I say we tuck up around behind that half-broke wall, there, out of view from the road like. No fire, no sign we're here. Just sleep, and one or two of us awake to warn of trouble. We know the stars alright, set three hour watches and we'll all have rest enough." He nods as if everyone's already agreed to this plan.