There's probably only going to be one chance for a shot before the ankle biters swarm Ro, so she decides to take it. She steps away to avoid the goblins for a moment. She'd already targeted "Father Tobyn", so she lets the arrow loose while whispering "Desna guide my shot."
The Path to Thistletop - The Battle Before the Bridge
Ro steps back and fires at "Father Tobyn" striking "him" in the shoulder.
Drasven's dagger guts the Goblin that struck him.
Gwydd lays his hands on Lia to heal her wounds - CLW .
Father Tobyn grunts through the pain and begins casting, "You are all more powerful and so am I".
His spell release and strikes at Ro, three force missiles each one striking unerringly.
Goblin 1 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Edgar
Goblin 2 - HP = -7/6 - DEAD.
Goblin 3 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Karmid
Goblin 4 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Karmid
Goblin 5 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Ro
Goblin 6 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Ro
Goblin 7 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Drasven
Goblin 8 - HP = -1/6 - DEAD.
Goblin 9 - HP = 6/6 - Bow vs. Lia
Tsuto - 32/39
The Doppel - 39/44 - Concentration - Magic Missile -
Edgar strikes again at a goblin, energy once more surrounding his blade as he does so.
Taking peripheral note of Gwydd healing her, Lia's eyes stay focused on Tsuto, and she sends another Ball of Frost at her choosen nemesis.
Flutter continues to aid Karmid.
With a grunt and thump, Karmid taps his Klar-clad arm against his chest and his 'mark,' it flashing for a second.
"Gozreh's Wrath!"
Thunder and Fang(Large Size)!
+
Jili is confused by the fight. She's not used to this, but does her best. She moves to where she can reach as many goblins as possible. She casts Burning hands.
The Path to Thistletop - The Battle Before the Bridge
Edgar's blade narrowly misses his foe.
Lia's spell strikes Tsuto who is unable to avoid it. He takes a step backwards from the pain.
Where Karmid's Earthbreaker misses his, Klar does not. The Goblin is cut down by Karmid's mighty sweep.
Jil places her spell between Ro and Drasven forcing Goblins fighting both to dodge her spray. Neither can avoid the flames and both are singed.
Goblin 1 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Edgar - Damage .
Goblin 2 - HP = -7/6 - DEAD.
Goblin 3 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Karmid - Damage .
Goblin 4 - HP = -1/6 - DEAD
Goblin 5 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Ro - Damage .
Goblin 6 - HP = 2/6 - vs. Ro - Damage . - Reflex Save DC 14 .
Goblin 7 - HP = 2/6 - vs. Drasven - . - Reflex Save DC 14 .
Goblin 8 - HP = -1/6 - DEAD
Goblin 9 - HP = 6/6 - Bow vs. Lia - Damage .
Tsuto - Fort Save DC 14 - 15/39 - Compound Longbow - Damage
Doppel - 39/44
Edgar’s remaining foe is unable to score a hit past his formidable armor.
The Goblin that Karmid was unable to turn to pulp swings its dogslicer at the Ranger but misses as Karmid’s step forward to slay his second foe moves him away from the rusty blade.
Ro is still threatened by two Goblins, despite one being singed by Jil’s spell. Once more though, the Goblin is only able to draw a fleshwound on the Bard.
Drasven blocks his foes swing with his own weapon grinning.
Lia’s spell results in a backlash of arrows coming back at her. From the Goblin, a wide miss, from Tsuto though, a direct hit!
Smashing his foe's swing with one of his own, Drasven attempts to take advantage of that and stabs his dagger in low but mistimes it.....
Since the combat is out in the open and stealth no longer needed, Gwydd duck's behind Karmid's now bigger frame and begins playing his lute, regaling the group with a song to inspire them!
The Path to Thistletop - The Battle Before the Bridge
Drasven's stab is a low miss.
Gwydd's song inspires Ro to attack the true threats, the shapechanger and Tsuto. Arrow drawn and released at the "Father".
Shortbow Attack - - Damage
Unfortunately her shot is wide.
Father Tobyn once again raises his hand and releases more missiles of Force, this time at Karmid.
The Path to Thistletop - The Battle Before the Bridge
Drasven's stab is a low miss.
Gwydd's song inspires Ro to attack the true threats, the shapechanger and Tsuto. Arrow drawn and released at the "Father".
Shortbow Attack - - Damage
Unfortunately her shot is wide.
Father Tobyn once again raises his hand and releases more missiles of Force, this time at Karmid.
Karmid grimaces through the pain of the force bolts, and powers on!
Thunder and Fang(Large Size)!
+
Edgar continues his litany of blows, though not much more effectively.
Jili moves herself to miss her allies, and get as many goblins as necessary. She casts Burning Hands again.
Continuing her icy barrage at Tsuto, Lia forms another ball of snow and hurls it at the Half-Elf.
Using power so recklessly would soon leave her exhausted, but this needed to be done...
Drasven tries to find a space to bring his crossbow to bear striking at the closest foe with his dagger.
"Durn this greenskins, we need to thin them out."
The Path to Thistletop - The Battle Before the Bridge
Karmid's initial swing is high but his follow up strike the Goblin in the throat, ripping it out!
Edger's swings are constricted by the tight confines and the quick footed Goblin is able to evade the strike.
Jill's spell lights up the Goblins flanking Drasven and Ro once more, this time the flames claim both!
Lia's energies are well placed as Tsuto falls to her empowered offensive spells!
The few remaining Goblins attempt to flee though the closest is cut down by Karmid's long reach despite the fact that the little monster was attacking Ro only moments before.
The Doppel's smile disappears as the Godtouched rout it's ambush.
Goblin 6 - Reflex Save DC 14 .
Goblin 7 - Reflex Save DC 14 .
Tsuto Fort Save DC 14 .
Goblin 1 - HP = 6/6 - vs. Edgar - Damage .
Goblin 2 - HP = DEAD.
Goblin 3 - HP = DEAD
Goblin 4 - HP = DEAD
Goblin 5 - HP = DEAD.
Goblin 6 - HP = DEAD.
Goblin 7 - HP = DEAD.
Goblin 8 - HP = DEAD.
Goblin 9 - HP = 6/6
Tsuto - - -1/39.
Doppel - 39/44
Ro takes another shot at the doppelganger.
"Why don't you surrender?" the aged dwarf suggests with his crossbow as a sort of incentive.
The Path to Thistletop - The Battle Before the Bridge
"Father Tobyn" places his hands up as Ro's shot just misses his head he stares down at Drasven's crossbow, "It matters little, you'll never survive Thistletop now... They know you are here and they are waiting".
Gwydd turns to the group, "Let's tie him up, I'll rag him back to Sandpoint for reinforcements. He's right, we can't drag him along and assault that place..."
Ro draws her sword and approaches the doppelganger. She places the blade menacingly against its neck.
"If we take you alive, you're not allowed to be in Father Tobyn's form. On your knees, then lay down on your back."
Once the creature is down, Ro shifts the tip of her sword to the center of its torso, over where she guesses its heart is located.
"Gwydd, if you're taking it back, your job should be as convenient as our prisoner can make it for you."
"Take on the form of a goblin" she orders the doppelganger.
"Karmid, Edgar, triple bind it. I want it in a cocoon neck to toe. Make the ropes very tight. If it tries to change into something larger while Gwydd is taking it back, I want the ropes to squeeze it to death."
Settling back to normal size, Karmid smiles easily at Ro's suggestion.
"Got it."
Edgar assists in tying up the prisoner. "Why are we taking this one in, is he, she, or it not a great threat? Are we not afraid of escape in the future, and betrayal?"
Jili calms down after the fight, and manages to begin speaking common again, "I don't believe they will survive long after they get back to Sandpoint. The law there will take care of them. They won't have much chance to escape." She examines the bodies looking for clues and anything interesting.
After Tsuto had fallen and the Goblins started fleeing, Lia had rushed over to her target trying to disarm the Half-Elf of all Weapons and glowy magic items - just to make sure. When Ro starts instructing the Doppelganger, she interrupts what she was doing and looks up:"Why a Goblin? They have huge mouths with plenty of sharp teeth. And they smell bad. Make Not-Me take the form of a Halfling. A halfling girl, they are more petite. Then Gwydd can carry Not-Me after we make it sleep involuntarily.", Lia cocks her head waiting for a response.
Ro shrugs and nods.
"Sure, make yourself a halfling girl instead. And don't waste our time getting it done."
Drasven interrupts at this time.
"Would she not be able to change into something smaller? Why not just slay it here and then or at least knock it out.........."
He grumbles.
"Stuff it in a sack or something and drag it away."
"No. Matter can be condensed, but only so much. There are limits to the size and type of form it would be able to take. And we may have questions that it's allies are unwilling to answer. I don't like the idea of a rogue Doppelganger any more than you, but if it surrendered...", Flutter responds to Drasven.
Karmid grumbles a bit, then snorts and spits some bloody phlem over the cliff-side.
"Gozreh's breath! I don't trust it beyond my hammer's reach. Call me simple, but I prefer we find a deep pit and dump it in. Preferably with sharp spikes, or a hungry animal at the bottom! It can then change shape all its wants in there until we get back."
Ro looks down at the doppelganger. "As you can hear for yourself, a consensus seems to be emerging that we should just off you now and save ourselves any extra trouble."
"I'm very sympathetic to the idea. But right now I'm with the butterfly." Ro gestures toward Flutter with a thumb.
"You might know something worthwhile. It also seems to me that since your crimes have been committed against Sandpoint, the people of Sandpoint ought to have the chance to punish someone as they see fitting. They should be able to put a face to their suffering. Closure, empowerment, that sort of stuff."
"But, I could be persuaded otherwise by my friends. Desna knows I hate your guts. So, let's test out the idea you're worth keeping. There's a cave just over in this mess of hedges. Where does it drop down to, and what's to be found there? It'd be really bad for your cause if you don't have anything to tell us."
The Path to Thistletop
The shapechanger, now a bound halfling female, sighs, "In exchange for my life, I shall tell you what it is you wish to know. You will of course give me your word, all of you, that you will testify on my behalf that the information I gave you allowed you to avert the crisis about to befall your city. Fail to do this and I tell you nothing and the likelihood of surviving this assault will be so minimal that the next we all meet shall be in the Nine Hells".
Karmid considers a moment.
"Fair warning: Even if we agreed to that, we could not guarantee 'our word' on your 'help' would commute any sentence Sandpint's justice may place upon on you. If the town deems you die for your crimes and sins...then you will die regardless."
"I will testify. If you provide information that will allow us to avert the crisis about to befall Sandpoint. If you fail to provide such information then I would need to lie in court and I don't think Flutter would let me do that.", Lia agrees to the terms, conditionally.
She had not forgotten the murdered guard in the cell, or the creatures other implied crimes...but if her dreams were to be trusted, the danger to Sandpoint was so much bigger than that.
"My word I'll give though it may not do much in light of your crimes. I would also have you placed under my Patron's eyes so if you prove false we'll know."
Edgar carefully keeps his mouth decidedly shut. He isn't sure he can actually say it, because if he says it he'd probably have to do it and that just isn't in him. He can't lie, in either case, but that doesn't mean he has to give his word.
Jiliana studies the creature. "I will be honest with my words at your trial. If what you tell is of help I will say so."
Rojava looks from person to person as her companions weigh in on the doppelganger's counterproposal. Sometimes their answers are vexing to her. If someone makes an offer that is beneficial but gives them little in return, the correct answer is "yes", not "yes, and just so you know, you're getting nothing out of this".
Church kids, thinking honesty means playing cards with their hands laying face-up on the table. What can you do with them?
After they have all spoken their minds, Ro adds "We accept your proposal. We will accurately and completely give an account of any help you provide. Now what is it you have to tell us? Let's start with who's over on the island."
The Path to Thistletop
"So many Goblins, you've not enough arrows to shoot them all and of course Nualia, somewhere in the dungeons of the keep.
I've not been in the dungeons myself but I am sure it has other guardians as well. Defeat her, you scatter this legion.
Your advantage now is that Tsuto promised Nualia that you all would die here in the briars as well you should have, the Gods must watch over your band for you to have survived our ambush..."
The very next night her and his friends encountered Uldar on the road heading to Sandpoint from Magnimar. The young halfling spoke of his destiny and how it awaited him in Sandpoint, how the whispers in his mind made him believe that perhaps the Gods spoke with him directly.
Uldar had never uttered this before, certainly not to strangers, all the same each of them murmured in agreement. Had Uldar stumbled upon those of like minds? And they were coming from where he was bound to!
Matrim made his mind up then and there, Uldar was the sign that he must turn back to Sandpoint. Karina and Marcelano bid he and Uldar good fortune on their trip to Sandpoint, "Look us up in the big city". Karina winked as the four parted ways into two pairs.
Arriving in Sandpoint the city was once more in crisis, it seems that the rest of Matrim's allies save Windsight were journeying to Thistletop to try to stop an invasion of Sandpoint worse than the one that Matrim aided in foiling only several days before. With the Sheriff headed to Magnimar (how did he not see the Sheriff and his deputies on the road back?) the city was relying on the Godtouched and the Cathedral to protect them.
"We decided to take the fight to them first", stated Windsight. "But I feel uneasy, Gwydd's no fighter and who knows what lurks there in that place. Your arrival clinches it for me. Let's go and meet them there, they could use our help".
The three of you take a boat to near where the small island is located in the hopes of catching those who went before you. A small skirmish with a small goblin patrol leads you into the briar patch that surround the land entrance to the top, it being quite hard to get to by water.
Up ahead there are voices, some familiar, some not...
Karmid, already bored with the situation, tries to clean off some stuck-on 'goblin bits' from his ancient Klar's sharp blade while trying to scratch his backside with his other hand.
The picture would be almost comical if there wasn't a gallon of blood splashed across Karmid's form.
Rojava squints and tilts her head as she mock-seriously considers what the doppelganger has to say. Then she stops all that and stares at him.
"That's it? You're assisting us by restating your threats from earlier as helpful information?" She waves her hand around at the dead goblins and dead Tsuto. "And telling us stuff we can see with our own eyes?"
She shakes her head at the doppel-halfling.
"Nope, you're going to have to do better than this. I count my arrows at about 35. How many more precisely do I need to shoot them all? Who are the goblin chiefs and heroes here with her? Who is with her who isn't a goblin? What are they and what can they do? What is the layout of the fort? Guard rotations and where do they watch from? What is down below the fort that's so interesting to Nualia? Why did Nualia want Father Tobyn's remains? You're really going to have to earn this you know."
Jili lets Ro do the talking. All good questions. I should really learn a cleaning spell it will help with the blood. I had no idea that Karmid would get so messy. He's still kind of cute. She snaps back to attention after that thought is finished, and blushes just a little.
While she waits for the doppel-halfling to say something useful, Ro Prestidigitates the gore off of Karmid.
Sigh, he's so like a 10 year-old sometimes.
Uldar, hearing voices that don't sound like goblins, hurries his step. Of course, he's already hurrying a little just to keep up with the longer stride of his companions. Destiny, indeed, he muses.
He clears his throat loudly and tosses out a "Hallooo-ooo." Best not to sneak up on folks who are likely to be armed. All the same, he has his bow ready lest he is mistaken.