City of Nine Stars -- City of Twilight
Game Master therealthom

Zarabeta has yet to go

Round 7 in progress:

Waif 22 (First floor lower right room) -- shot a goblin, facing 3 group 2a goblins
Goblins (group 3) 15 -- (2nd floor upper left room)-- 2 in melee with Akorian, 1 archer , one fled upstairs
Zarabeta 10 (2nd floor lower left room by ladder in corner) -- ???
Marius 9 (2nd floor lower right room) -- downs his two goblin foes
Raven 9 (2nd floor lower right room) -- missed, still faces one (2b) goblin
Akorian 7+ (2nd floor lower left room)--
Goblins (group 2a) 7- -- (1st floor lower right room)-- threatening Waif
Goblins (group 2b) 7- -- (stairs to third floor)-- fled + 1 from group 3
Goblin (group 2c) 7- -- Still fighting Raven

----

Marius cuts two goblins in half and spins to help Akorian.

Raven, shouting at the goblins, presumably in common, while trying to perforate them won't make them see reason. You could try diplomacy in goblin. You could try to stop the fighting.

Perception (listening) DC 16:

Waifrin Perception DC 12 instead of the roll above:

I'll try to get you a better map tonight.

In last post, forgot to note that Akorian picked off a fleeing goblin, but is still beset by two more. And he has yet to go in Round 7.

New Map

Sorry, lost track and thought this was the round she tossed acid, unsuccessfully. Which is may yet be, as she attempts it again!

Zarabeta sends another serpent of acid at the nearest goblin that is not already in melee combat.

Ranged touch attack (possibly -4 if she has to target one in melee) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

With acid sailing past him and goblins scrambling left and right, the priest of Milani does his best to hold his own. He's encouraged by Marius appearance next to him and continues laying about with his morningstar.

Melee attack... 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage, if applicable... 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"We have a situation down here!" Waifrin calls up, glancing toward the door from which the drum-sounds come. "Company's on the way!"

"This is not going very well," Raven says to both Marius and Akorian as he seems to pick up a sound coming from further below. "And I think I hear drums from below, which could mean that more goblins are on the way."

The elf pauses for a moment as he tries to take care he does not end up skewered by his opponent before continuing. "Perhaps we should pursue a more diplomatic, less violent option? They seem to have a leader by the name of Whitechin, a goblin chief who has carved some turf for himself and his followers in the Dospera. They were about to bring him for a little chat when you party-crashing 'Hellknights' barged in."

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Raven, shouting at the goblins, presumably in common, while trying to perforate them won't make them see reason. You could try diplomacy in goblin. You could try to stop the fighting.

More in the vein of fighting banter rather than an actual attempt at diplomacy. :-)

"Lets finish these ones off quickly and find somewhere to make a stand below before they swarm us under." Marius snaps at those on his floor.

Round 8 actions
Marius launches a furious attack on the goblins in front off him.

MW sword1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Confirm1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

normal sword 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Damage on goblin 11d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Damage on goblin 21d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Round Seven Continues:

Zarabeta's acid serpent strikes and enfolds the archer goblin. He goes down writhing in pain then lays very still indeed next to his hissing, smoking bow. An acrid odor rises from the body.

Raven's last goblin spits and throws his dogslicer at the elf then turns to flee up the stairs. The elf's ready guard enables him to deflect the dagger away. Combat chatter, OK.

Akorian's target dodges as the mace comes down. The two goblins around his legs slash and thrust to no effect.

Downstairs, the three goblins with Waifrin charge the young wilder. Two attack her fruitlessly. The third swerves toward one of the bound captives shrieking furiously. When she reaches him, the jagged edge of her dogslicer opens his throat. Blood fountains.

End round 7.

Just to let you know. Unfair use of defensive fighting, Akorian's spells, and Waif's power cost me three hits that round.

Begin round eight:

Waif 22 (First floor lower right room) --
Akorian's Goblins (group 3) 15 -- (2nd floor upper left room)--
Zarabeta 10 (2nd floor lower left room by ladder in corner) --
Marius 9 (2nd floor lower right room) --
Raven 9 (2nd floor lower right room) --
Akorian 7+ (2nd floor lower left room)--
Waif's three Goblins 7- -- (1st floor lower right room)-- two fighting Waif, one ?
Raven's Goblin 7- -- Still fighting Raven

And, don't forget the drum and the half-dozen or so goblins who ran for the third floor.

Waifrin drops her crossbow and switches to her staff. She'll five-foot step in the direction of the ladder and aim a blow at the nearest goblin.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Akorian's goblins swing and swear (in goblin) and sweat trying to penetrate his defense to no avail.

Zarabeta is surprised to see one of the Goblins executing the ones she's tied up, and swerves to target it, but then changes her mind and remembers that aiding her allies is more important than keeping any alive.

Once more, at one facing Akorian, a hissing serpent of acid uncoils and slithers through the air;

Ranged touch attack (-4 if she has to target one in melee) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"You guys are really starting to annoy me," Akorian complains as he dodges and shrugs off the goblins' attempts to penetrate his defenses, "And if you had any sense, you would have run a long time ago."

Of course, he has no idea if they speak the Common tongue or not...and Akorian's only method of speaking Goblin relies on wielding his morningstar...which he does so again, in the hopes of ending their miserable lives.

Melee attack... 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage, if applicable... 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

EDIT: Apparently, the goblins really were annoying him.
Confirm critical threat... 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Extra damage, if applicable... 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Zara's acid snake glides through the air and strikes the upraised arm of one of Akorian's goblins. It ripples down the arm, and another goblin screams and lurches as it collapses to the floor.

Akorian swats his remaining foe aside. The mace connects solidly and the goblin flies backward and tumbles against the wall.

Zarabeta is surprised to see one of the Goblins executing the ones she's tied up, ...

Not as surprised as I am that she can see through the floor. :-) I moved Zara to the second floor so she could make the attack against Akorian's goblins. Waif's all by herself on the ground floor.

Yes, some backup WOULD be appreciated! :)

Well as Raven has the only goblin left on this floor to himself Marius now has no targets
Revised round 8 action.

Marius moves quickly down the stairs and into a position behind the goblins threatening his cousin

"Next!!!!"

"You guys are really starting to annoy me," Akorian complains as he dodges and shrugs off the goblins' attempts to penetrate his defenses, "And if you had any sense, you would have run a long time ago."

"Goblins and sense my friend?" Raven quips to the priest with a chuckle as he once again attempts to dispatch the goblin facing him.

Melee attack (short sword) 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 4 = 12
Damage (piercing) 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"You took your time, what kept you?" Waif grins with some relief at her cousin.

"My dance partners were not very cooperative"

Would this map help us keep track a little better? I'm guessing Waifrin is around B5, the goblins she is fighting in C4 and C5, Marius in D4.

Round 8 conclusion

Frustrated, Raven's goblin drops its knife and tries to grab the elf and gnaw his leg. failed grapple attempt, but you get an AoO in addition to your round 9 attack.

Waifrin's foes split to either side of the young woman. One's spear hits her in the ribs; the other's dagger cuts into her calf. (1 and 3 hp) The third looks up at Marius and snarls as he reaches the bottom of the stairs. Failed intimidation attempt.

if you want to use the map, Waif would be in E6. She had to go well into the room to demoralize the main body of goblins. Marius can reach C4. I want him to see his sister BLEEED! Sorry. Goblins scattered between them.

Begin round Nine:

Waif 22 (First floor lower right room) --
Zarabeta 10 (2nd floor lower left room by ladder in corner) --
Marius 9 (1st floor C4) --
Raven 9 (2nd floor lower right room) --
Akorian 7+ (2nd floor lower left room)--
Waif's three Goblins 7- -- (1st floor lower right room)-- two fighting Waif, one intimidating Marius)
Raven's Goblin 7- -- Still fighting Raven

And, don't forget the drum and the half-dozen or so goblins who ran for the third floor.

Waifrin curses and lashes out at one of her attackers (the one furthest from Marius, who is likely to blend the other two).

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

She also takes five-foot step do D-5 to get out from between the two and force them to move further to catch up.

Also, wouldn't their surrounding her mean at least one has to move more than five feet past her, giving her an AoO? Just in case:

AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

"What the...?" Raven exclaims, his voice betraying his surprise at the goblin's attempt to bite him. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the rogue stabs at the creature.

Melee attack (short sword) 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 4 = 16 [Attack of Opportunity]
Damage (piercing) 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Melee attack (short sword) 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 4 = 20 [Critical Threat]
Damage (piercing) 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Melee attack (short sword) 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 = 21 [Critical Hit Confirmation]
Damage (piercing) 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Err... Splat...? :-P

Upstairs: Raven stabs the goblin as it reaches to clasp his leg. It squawks and staggers backward. He thrusts again cleanly through goblin's heart. The scaly little humanoid coughs up blood and drops to the floor.

One very dead goblin. Second floor clear of foes.

Downstairs: Waifrin hits the goblin as its sword scores her ribs. The wound hurts, but she finds it doesn't affect her mobility.

You're going to need help. I'll give you the AoO. Although, normally I would be inclined not to. Two on one, no other melee to distract them. Reduce the danage you took by 1 hp of damage.

"Time to fly, Raven!" Akorian notes, sheathing his morningstar and then stooping to retrieve his crossbow and reload it, "Those drums sound like more are on the way. And we don't want to be trapped with goblins above and below us. Sounds like Waif's got her hands full, too..."

The priest whirls to reapproach the ladder, his cloak billowing out behind him. "Let's go, Z..." he encourages Zarabeta. "And thanks," he adds, "That was some timely and accurate spellcasting."

Then, Akorian starts down the ladder with intentions of helping Marius and Waifrin.

"Your command my lord," Raven answers back with a mock bow and a smile before following the cleric down the ladder and back to the ground floor. "So, any idea as to what the plan is? More fighting, having a chat with Whitechin or fleeing? I should point out that leaving a goblin gang unchecked in the Dospera may not be a particularly good idea."

"Bad for business as well," he adds with a wink.

Marius moves into the room(C5) and lashes out at the nearest goblin

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"So, any idea as to what the plan is? More fighting, having a chat with Whitechin or fleeing? I should point out that leaving a goblin gang unchecked in the Dospera may not be a particularly good idea."

"Yes...well, they've clearly been here awhile," Akorian returns, "And the Hellknights left them unchecked. The Dospera's a no-man's land for a reason. That's why the Bastards use it for their hideout. And they're the ones we're here to eliminate. These goblins are, unfortunately, a secondary concern until then...though, I must admit, they present quite a primary concern until we win our free of this nest."

Zara can get down the ladder before either of Marius or Akorian. She's up bedfore them this round.

Downstairs: Marius guts another goblin, and leaves it bleeding out on the floor.

Zarabeta drops down the ladder as quickly as is safely possible, and then stands aside to make room for the others.

If she's got time, she also sends a smoking serpent of acid to strike one of the goblin's threatening Waifrin.

Ranged touch attack, -4 for attacking a foe in melee 1d20 ⇒ 9

damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Zarabeta's acid snake flies over the last goblin's head. It twists to watch the luminous green ribbon wind through the air and splash into the wall. Marius and Waifrin team up to finish the last goblin.

OK. We'll drop out of rounds. You've three bound goblin prisoners. Goblins on the third floor doing who knows what. A female and some goblings last seen near F1 on the first floor. And a noticeably louder tom-drum beating a march from downstairs.

Wow. I didn't think you would storm the goblin house. I thought this was going to be an RP encounter.

Yeah, we're unpredictable that way!

Waifrin lowers her staff and finds her crossbow, then limps over to the priest.

"Akorian, I need healing again, before the rest of the goblins get here, can you help?"

Less than 1/3 hit points, she looks pretty rough I would imagine ...

Waifrin lowers her staff and finds her crossbow, then limps over to the priest. "Akorian, I need healing again, before the rest of the goblins get here, can you help?"

Akorian nods.

"Pray with me then." He takes her hands in his and bows his head. "Milani, we ask your blessings on those who seek your healing embrace. Renew our spirits as well, that we might better carry out your will. Let it be done in the name of the Everbloom, who brings hope to us all even in the darkest of times."

Channel positive energy... 1d6 ⇒ 5

"I hope that will do for now?" Akorian tells her. Then, he turns to face the others. "We should consider withdrawing," he advises, "There are more goblins here than seems wise to oppose on our own. Raven here, thought to treat with them and their chieftain. Considering the damage we've wrought, I'm not sure that's wise any longer. And if we stay to expend our resources rooting them out, we won't have much left to deal with the Bastards of Erebus."

Waifrin bows her head and actually does pray with Akorian, holding his hands perhaps longer than she needs to.

"Thank you," she says simply. "I have the potions too, I'll be OK."

She still drinks a potion for good measure.

Potion of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"I am not so sure ... if we are working for the good of the city, then routing out goblins is as good as any other task we might do. We don't need to deal with the Bastards today, we can deal with these things properly and then take the Bastards on another day. One thing is sure - we'll need to deal with these goblins at some point if we plan to cure the city's ills, and now seems as good a time as ever, while we have still have them off-balance. Plus, we're likely depriving the Bastards of allies by doing so. That makes them weaker for when we do take them on."

"Perhaps the survivors would be more willing to negotiate," Zarabeta says, pulling a conscious, but tied-up goblin over towards the others.

"Ideally, they would at least know *something* of use about our true targets, and it would be in their best interests if we removed a rival group from the area."

She switches to Infernal, a language better suited to what she is about to say,

Set:

"I am not so sure ... if we are working for the good of the city, then routing out goblins is as good as any other task we might do. We don't need to deal with the Bastards today, we can deal with these things properly and then take the Bastards on another day. One thing is sure - we'll need to deal with these goblins at some point if we plan to cure the city's ills, and now seems as good a time as ever, while we have still have them off-balance. Plus, we're likely depriving the Bastards of allies by doing so. That makes them weaker for when we do take them on."

"That's a fair point," Akorian agrees, "The goblins may well go underground or move their lair if we depart and attempt to find them again later. That could make eliminating them much more difficult. But by the sound of those drums, I'm starting to think we blundered into something that might be a little too big for us. At least with the Bastards, I imagine we're on more even footing."

He shrugs and looks at Marius. "Your call," he states, "Run or fight?"

"Perhaps the survivors would be more willing to negotiate," Zarabeta says, pulling a conscious, but tied-up goblin over towards the others. "Ideally, they would at least know *something* of use about our true targets, and it would be in their best interests if we removed a rival group from the area." She switches to Infernal, a language better suited to what she is about to say...

Akorian's head whips around at the sound of Zarabeta speaking the Infernal tongue. Though the priest understands it, it's quite clear he finds it distasteful.

"Goblins can't be counted on for anything but their own self-interests," he states in Common, "We might gain some information by interrogating them, but I don't really think we have the time for that unless we're going to try and parley with the lot of them after killing so many. I have a feeling we've worn out our welcome. So I think we either need to take these prisoners with us or leave them behind."

Waifrin gives Zarabeta a blank look as she talks in gobbledegook, then shrugs as Akorian replies.

"I'm just thinking, if that's their chief, getting rid of him might well scatter the rest."

"I wonder what loot and spoils this goblin chief might have gathered for himself so far," Raven muses almost to himself, a strange glint in his golden eyes. He then seems to remember that there are others present and that the situation is a serious one.

"Heh...," the elf simply says, the word -or rather the sound- accompanied by a shrug and a sheepish look.

Marius finds himself, for once, in agreement with the priest.."Akorian's right..besides if that's the chief he may have chanters or spellsingers with him..we need to withdraw find somewhere safe for the night and rest up..at least we brought food"

So you're going to run for it?

So you're going to run for it?

With Marius and Akorian (presumably the most combat-capable PCs in the party) advocating for it, I imagine the others won't be attempting to make a stand on their own. So...yes?

OK. Where to? Just describe kind of what you're looking for if you don't have a specific place in mind. It's a big city. I'm sure I can find something like it for you.

Zarabeta looks to the bound goblin she had just dragged over, and says, "Sing your songs of victory tonight, little goblin, you have earned them this day." before leaving him to flee with the others.

She follows wherever the party wishes to flee, pulling her scarf over her face, as if to shut out the world.

"Raven?" Akorian softly calls out to his elven friend, "We need a place to hide. Think you can find us a decent bolt-hole safe from these goblins? I'm hoping we don't need to retreat all the way back to Westcrown proper. Rather, if we can stay in the Dospera, we can hopefully pick up our assault on the Bastards after we regroup and rest a bit."

Marius smiles at Akorian.."Well..that was an interesting interlude wasn't it..You do realise that sooner or later we'll have to finish that job don't you?"

"Raven?" Akorian softly calls out to his elven friend, "We need a place to hide. Think you can find us a decent bolt-hole safe from these goblins? I'm hoping we don't need to retreat all the way back to Westcrown proper. Rather, if we can stay in the Dospera, we can hopefully pick up our assault on the Bastards after we regroup and rest a bit."

"Let me think for a moment," Raven answers back to the priest. "Perhaps I can think of some place that might be appropriate. And even if I cannot, I suppose I could always move on ahead for an hour or two and ask around or even scout ahead for something sufficiently abandoned."

"Although my last attempt did lead to a somewhat unpleasant encounter," he adds with an apologetic shrug after a brief pause.

Knowledge (Local) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

The following Diplomacy check is an attempt to gather information about any buildings that might be abandoned and not actually ready to fall down by themselves, i.e. buildings that could serve as a temporary shelter. Gathering information takes at least 1d4 hours according to the Diplomacy skill description.

Diplomacy (Gather Information) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Time spent (hours) 1d4 ⇒ 1

"We could finish it now," Waifrin mutters, but does not break ranks.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Wow, those are some spectacularly mediocre know local rolls. Even with aid another. ~shakes head~ Not a lot of people around except goblins to try gather info -- we'll retcon it as Raven asking around before you guys came over the wall.

Raven leads the way out of the goblin's tenement. He turns west and winds through a couple narrow streets. You break into an open square. Across the square is a house with a pair of swans in bas-relief over the door. He bounds across the square and tries the door. It opens, and the house is unoccupied tonight.

Place for you to recoop.

"Akorian ..you and Zara get some sleep now..you too Waif."

"Raven... I'll wake you in a few hours"

Marius' tone is such that as to obvious that he will brook no arguement