Hex 13

13. Garis Man (Central Hex)

A 90’ tall, vaguely (headless) human-shaped stone stands not far from the edge of the forest here. A troop of goblins is camped around the base of the stone.

27 goblins and two bugbears are camped at the base of the Garis Stone led by a goblin sub-chief (of the Shaman faction).

Goblins (27): AC 6, MV 60'; HD 1-1; hp 4 each; THAC0 20; #AT 1; D 1-6 or by wpn; SZ S; Int Low~Avg; AL LE; XP 14 each (MM)

Bugbears (2): AC 5; MV 90’; HD 3+1; hp 16, 19; THAC0 16; #AT 1; D 2-8 or by wpn; SA surprise on a 1-3; SD Darkvision 60’; SZ M; Int Low~Avg; AL CE; XP 149, 161. (MM)

Goblin Sub-chief: AC 5, MV 60'; HD 1+1; hp 8; THAC0 18; #AT 1; D 1-8 or by wpn; SZ S; Int Low~Avg; AL LE; XP 36 (MM)

Every time a thunder storm passes through the area, lightning strikes the Garis Man once or twice without seeming to damage the stone itself. The goblin shaman has discovered that these lightning strikes are not simply a random freak of nature but they are magical in nature. Wands, staves and rods placed on the top of Garis Man and struck by lightning gain 0-3 (d4-1) charges per “natural” lightning strike (that is, magically created or summoned lightning will not recharge such items. Additionally, there is a 5% chance that each strike will neutralize the items, rendering them useless forever.

The goblin sub-chief has been dispatched by the shaman from the Chantry (Hex 42) to recharge a Wand of Earth and Stone (which is rechargeable if a storm comes through) and a Rod of Smiting (which is spent and unable to be recharged). These are the only items of worth the goblins and their allies have. They have not yet figured out a way to climb to the top of Garis Man, though they have hundreds of feet of rope and some grappling hooks and are standing around arguing how to get to the top. The sub-chief will not climb, but he doesn’t really trust any of the others with the valuable magic items, either.

TO FINISH: Which Sub-chief? Image