Alesta quickly moves as fast as she can, hoping to reach the down dwarf. She knows she has one healing spell left so she hopes to make it in time.
Finding his way forward into combat cut off, Ahdak calls on the blessings of the stars to dazzle the last remaining goblin. The goblin glows and sparkles, distracting the wayward creature. "Hurry and finish the foul creature, friend dwarf. Your brother lies bleeding."
Goblin Pyros - Round 5 - concluded
Alesta leaves the non-combatant wounded for a moment to tend to Baldek's injury. Moving around the fighting, she is able to reach the fallen dwarf's side, but will not be able to heal him this round.
The dwarf continues bleeding, dropping a little closer to an early meeting with Pharasma.
Outlining the lone remaining goblin in the dim and failing light, Ahdak's stardust makes it a bit easier for the rest of the group to strike the foe.
End of Round 5
Goblin Pyros - Round 6
25 Green Goblin (4hp dmg, -1AC)
20 Sarvo
19 Nadine
14 Ahdak
14 Baldek (unconscious, bleeding)
5 Darnak
3 Alesta
With the songstress downed, the remaining goblin casts worried looks about as the heroes start to encircle him. Stepping back he stabs once at the smallest of the targets, poor Nadine, scratching her for 2 hp dmg.
Darnak remains relentless, yet composed, in his attack as he continues his assault upon the goblin.
Goblin Pyros - Round 6 - concluded
continue to press the attack against his racial enemy, Darnak lands a straight right hand that cracks the goblin's jaw, sending him to the deck unconscious and ending the fight in this sector of Sandpoint.
End of Combat
Ahdak, seeing the final goblin fall under Darnak's furious onslaught, hurries to Baldek's side. His face is grim as his eyes glow faintly white as he chants in Shoanti, "Nthawi munthu uyu siinathe. Ayende momasuka kwa mwazi masiku ano." Reaching out to touch the bleeding dwarf's shoulder, the light sparks from his eyes and seems to channel through his hand even as Baldek's wounds close. He watches the dwarf, face even, though as he stirs he says, "Yes, friend Baldek. Your heroism should not cost you your time on this earth. Not yet, at least."
Alesta sighs in relief as the half-orc heals the wounded dwarf.
"Thank goodness that's over. We better get the wounded into the church before more goblins show up!"
She begins directing people to the church helping others carry the wounded to safety while keeping an eye out for trouble. Before doing that she heals her wounded bodyguard.
The metallic scent of blood and choking smoke hung in the air. Broken and torn bodies littered the streets of a town that had been concerned with nothing but celebration and the noise of battles fought unseen rang and echoed from all directions instead of the laughter of children and the joyful singing that had once dominated the atmosphere. Yes their small battle may have been ended, but it seemed that violence still refused to unclench it's fist from around the once peaceful town. Which made Karl wonder just how much blood will seep through the closed hand before the people who are unused to carnage could once more breath the sweet and comforting air of peace...instead of the iron and burning stench that will likely invade their noses even long after their streets have been cleansed of it's battle scars. To him though? This wasn't foreign, if anything it brought memories of long dead battlefields and riots.
Their victory was more or less crushing, with their wounded being tended to at these very moments. It is usually after such encounters that the bounty hunter scouted about to learn of what they were up against, but he wasn't alone and leaving a companion to care for another with no one to stand guard wasn't the smartest decision one could make, so there he stood as Ahdak did his best to reverse what damage was done to their friend who had enough guts to actually charge in without any armor...Come to think of it the other dwarf isn't wearing any armor as well He would have continued on this line of thought if Alesta hadn't taken him by surprise when she came to care to his small wound.
Unexpected but... He raised an eyebrow as he looked in her direction "Appreciated" He said in his usual tone as he continued to look out for any possible ambushes their little "friends" may deiced to launch. Once Baldek was back on his feet he planned to gather his darts from around the battlefield and maybe do the scouting he held off from performing now.
"Toil and suffering look to be the spice of the day" Replied Karl as he snatched the dart that had embedded itself into one of the goblins.
"As for doing something about it...I say we kill any of the little blighters we get our eyes on" He whipped the dart nonchalantly splattering some the blood here and there before sheathing the thrown blade and proceeding to the one that missed it's target.
Darnak walks up next to Sarvo, watching Baldek move off to help out. "Remind me to get that one some armor," he says with a shake of his head and a slight grin. "And I'm with ya there, lad. Drop 'em where they stand. Ya know, goblins are stupid but I'm not believin' they're so stupid to attack with so few against an entire town. But, I know little about this town. This may happen a lot," he states matter of factly, shrugging, as he moves to help out wherever he can.
"Remind me to get that one some armor," he says with a shake of his head and a slight grin.
"Aye, he moves like he's used to having it covering his softer parts" Karl gave the martial artist a grin of his own.
And I'm with ya there, lad. Drop 'em where they stand. Ya know, goblins are stupid but I'm not believin' they're so stupid to attack with so few against an entire town. But, I know little about this town. This may happen a lot," he states matter of factly, shrugging, as he moves to help out wherever he can.
"I don't know much when it comes to goblins, so I'll take your word for it...strange how they picked a day of celebration, I would have expected a tactic like this from bandits and raiders" Sarvo fell next to Darnak as they moved through the area, while occasionally looking back to make sure that Alesta was still with them "And as I said I may not know much about goblins but I would not put them and "tactic" in the same sentence"
"I don't know much when it comes to goblins, so I'll take your word for it...strange how they picked a day of celebration, I would have expected a tactic like this from bandits and raiders" Sarvo fell next to Darnak as they moved through the area, while occasionally looking back to make sure that Alesta was still with them "And as I said I may not know much about goblins but I would not put them and "tactic" in the same sentence"
Nodding, "You'll get no argument from me on that one, friend. I guess it's a good thing it was goblins and not a more intelligent foe. Not so sure this town is equipped to handle an enemy with a mind. It seems ta be lackin' much in the way of martial support. Guess that's understandable though seein' how it's such a small town. Once we help get this place in some semblance of order, I say we find Father...," he pauses, trying to think of his name but can't, "whatever his name is and see if he can tell us how often this happens."
Nadine stares down at her wound, at the blood seeping into her clothes. Although the cut wasn't serious, it was painful, and she gritted her teeth through the pain. Nadine stands in a stupor, unsure of what to do next.
As the firefight with the ill-intentioned goblins ends, the aftermath is a bit surreal for the whole party. Here and there lone goblins terrorize the simple folk of Sandpoint, lunging or pulling at women and small children. While a few goblins still run amok, most are in a state of retreat, the boisterous singers mostly defeated, they rush away from the fight, their little arms filled with shiny objects or discarded foodstuffs. As you watch from a distance, once such goblin picks up an abandoned plate from the banquet table and drops it in his mouth, plate and all.
Small fires burn, but now the town is starting get organized. Bucket brigades form here and there. The acolytes of Desna have formed a first-aid station of sorts on the new cathredral steps, which may forever be blood-stained now. They use what curative powers and potions they have on the wounded citizenry. Father Zantus, the head priest stands among them, directing the work.
Not far from where you stand, you hear the clear bellweather voice of Ameiko Kaijitsu break the air, shouting orders and directing traffic. The lovely bard, sporting a fresh wound on one cheek, motions to you with her rapier. "Go see if you can aid the priests. Finish off any of the little pikers you see. We'll get those fires out soon enough."
Karl could not resist feeling a bit invigorated by the sight the inn owner waving her rapier about. The small wound on her cheek told it's own story, one he would like to hear when all this ended If it ends the way you want it.. Commented his more cynical side.
"I'll be sure to give them your regards" Replied Karl as he continued onwards. His right hand gripping the axe more firmly, while his left brought up the shield in preparation to utilize it.
Alesta continues to bring the injured and frightened to the priests.
The aasimar talks and comforts many of those who are terrified, her words acting like a soothing balm to their troubles.
As she returns to the others, she overhears Sarvo's words.
"And I'll be glad to aid you. I think these villains have yet to learn their lesson."
She readied her morningstar, prepared to take the fight to the goblins now.
Here and there, as the dark falls on Sandpoint, the sounds of battle are still heard. The clanging of swords, the calls of support by the town guard, and the shrieking and singing of goblins still fill the air but in the churchyard, most of the chaos is over. One or two goblins remain, scavenging items from unfortunate citizens, and the group is preparing to close in on those targets when the sound of a scream and frantic barking suddenly break out to the north.
Zantus points out the sound to you, yelling for your group to go investigate the trouble. Sticking together the six of you start north from the church. There, just east of the White Deer, and near the north gate of the village, a troop of goblins led by a pair of mounted on rat-like steeds, have a nobleman and his hunting dog pinned down. The dog bravely stands up to the goblins, who seem to be cowering in fear, barking for all he's worth, while his master cowers behind a rain-barrel calling for help.
Darnak looks over at Sarvo, "Guess I was wrong," he says, shaking his head in frustration. He then looks back to the goblins that are riding the filthy, mange covered dogs through narrowed eyes, "Let's get 'em."
Die Dog Die - Round 1
23 Green Goblin (delaying)
23 Blue Goblin (delaying)
21 Alesta
19 White Goblin
19 Baldek
18 Nadine
15 Red Commando
8 Sarvo
5 Darnak
4 Yellow Commando
2 Ahdak
As you get closer, even in the torchlight from the wall, you can see a trio of regular goblins trembling in fear at the site of the fierce hunting dog.
Riding on a strange mix of dog and rodent, are two more goblins armed with long, rather crude, lances. The mounted goblins circle the canine, their mounts hissing and spitting. Before you can react, one of the goblin riders skewers the lone dog, which whimpers and falls the ground bleeding. The other lets out a shriek of triumph, raising his lance in salute, and heading menacingly for the cowering nobleman.
Alesta sings a song that pretty much is meant to draw the goblins away from the man and his dog.
Basically the song is one that describes goblins as the dumbest creatures that ever existed and that a box of rocks is smarter than all of the goblins alive. One can only hope her plan doesn't backfire!
Alesta moved a bit ahead of the group so that the goblins got a clear view of her.
Die Dog Die - Round 1 - continued
Seeing the dog skewered and the nobleman under attack, Alesta acts quickly, deciding she need to distract the goblins from the soft target. Stepping to the front of the group, she begins singing in her strange, angelic voice which causes the goblins to whip around and growl in anger and fear.
The trio of goblins who were cowering from the dog moments ago now have a target they are not afraid to attack, especially in gang formation. All three rush Alesta, swing their dogslicers as they come. Only one stroke is able to hit the aasimar, scratching her skin for just 1 hp.
Die Dog Die - Round 1 - continued
Sometimes the gods smile on the foolish, at least that's what Baldek hopes as his mad dash across the grass ends in front of the mounted goblin. Leaping, he clouts the rider squarely on the head, just missing a killing blow as the goblin commando ducks into the blow. Still a resounding thunk means that Cailean is with the crazed dwarf.
Nadine looks at the trio of goblins threatening her friend. She knows that there's no way she can take all of them on, even with Alesta's help, but she can certainly make it easier for others to smite the little blighters. She affixes the closest one with her meanest glare.
Die Dog Die - Round 1 - continued
Nadine gives the unholy eye to Blue Goblin, unhinging the target enough that he fails to protect himself well when the blows start to fall.
Riding his mount in big arc, Red Commando racks his long ugly spear and instead uses his bow to fire upon Baldek from a distance, but the bouncing of the rat-like mount causes the arrow to fly wide of the mark.
First client as a bodyguard and she's the type to willingly put herself in danger... Karl moved while keeping his shield up and circled around the goblins that surrounded Alesta, hoping to not only flank them but also cut off their escape route.
The bounty hunter closed in on the goblin closest to him after completing his tactical maneuver and let loose a brutal, vertical slash with his battle axe.
Die Dog Die - Round 1 - continued
Encircling the goblins that have rushed his charge, Sarvo hacks down on the first one, but the shifty bugger just does sidestep his blow, whirling to take on the large man instead of the angelic lady.
Darnak moves to flank the blue goblin with Alesta on the opposite side of the small creature and attacks.
Die Dog Died - Round 1 - continued
Darnak rushes into the fray, assisting Alesta as well, but his first elbow chop is defended well by the goblin attackers.
Nearly knocked from his mount by the force of Baldek's charge, Yellow Commando takes a moment to recover, drawing out his long spear-like weapon while he turns the head of his goblin dog to bite. The bite savages the dwarf, injuring him greatly.
Standing in the stirrups, the goblin brings the spear down hard at the dwarf, but just missing. The rider then moves off a distance to try to attend to his own wounds.
Ahdak moves to support his newfound friends against the shrieking, babbling goblins. Laying a hand on Darnak's shoulder, he chants and a nimbus of light seems to flow from the shaman to the dwarven monk.
Die Dog Die - Round 1 - concluded
As Baldek slumps into the grass once more, Ahdak bemoans his lack of experience in healing and has to settle for passing on his elders' guidance to the other dwarf in the group.
End of Round 1
Die Dog Die - Round 2
21 Alesta
23 Green Goblin
23 Blue Goblin (-2AC)
19 White Goblin
19 Baldek (at 0hp)
18 Nadine
15 Red Commando
8 Sarvo
5 Darnak (guidance)
4 Yellow Commando
2 Ahdak
Alesta swung her morningstar at the goblin right beside her taking advantage of her tiefling friend's spell.
Die Dog Die - Round 2 - continued
Having attracted lots of goblin attention, and a slight wound in the process, Alesta now tries to clobber the nearest anklebiter in the skull, but these little fellows are quick and they scramble out of the way of her big two-handed swing.
As Alesta swings at Blue Goblin, but misses, Green Goblin cleverly sneaks in behind her and stabs with his dog slicer at the angelic lady's back. While Blue Goblin tries to get inside her guard from the front. One of the blades finds Alesta's soft flesh, sinking in for 5hp dmg. The aasimar drops unconscious, bleeding at -1 hp.
White Goblin spins to face Sarvo, slicing as he spins and scoring a hit on the surprised slayer for 4 hp.
Fail
Alesta gasps as she feels the goblin's sword pierce her back. As darkness overtakes her, she is able to say a few words, "Mother...Zohls...help...u-us..."
Then the aasimar's body falls to the ground into a pool of her own blood...
Nadine breathes out, and then springs into action. Too many of her friends have fallen. Fighters stronger than her have been hurt. The time for subtlety is over. Nadine positions herself, and then Let's loose all her pent up emotion, all her frustration at her own inability to prevent what had happened, all her rage at these awful creatures here for no reason. All of these things she let's out, in a burst of arcane fire.
Die Dog Died - Round 2 - continued
Not quite unconscious, but flirting with the edges of it, Baldek sees no easy way to retreat, and he drops to the ground feigning mortal wounds. However his acting job is typically sub-par, and the goblins don't fall for it at all.
Her temper flaring as she sees Alesta fall to the goblins, Nadine unleashes her pent-up power finally, sending a gout of flame roaring at Green Goblin, who screeches as he smells his own hide roasting.
Red Commando continues to spur his mount, turning it sharply to find a good line of sight against Nadine. Firing once at the spell-caster, the goblin curses insanely when his bowshot ends up off target.
Battles were unpredictable as a storm ridden sea; you had no idea whether you would dock safely on the shores of victory or sink down to the depths of defeat. Karl knew this and was not surprised by the sudden shift of scales, of course that did not mean they couldn't shift in their favor once more. All he needed to do was focus on their enemy find their weaknesses and obliterate them, with luck they'd come out of this alive including his reckless client, which he didn't want to look at now for fear of allowing his professionalism turn into raw emotion...Have enough of those bottled up.
The goblin in front of him looked eager enough. Something that was easily exploited. A quick scan of his opponents habits revealed even more; favored footing, unconscious and unnecessary movements,just the right mixture for the plan he needed to execute.
Karl sprang forward showing that he cared little for defence to his smaller foe, but instead of continuing the movement as expected he shifted suddenly to the left and let loose an unconventional swing that was was aimed to the side of the goblin's head.
We are losing numbers, the dwarf thinks to himself as he sets himself up in a flanking position with Sarvo and attempts to pummel the blue goblin into oblivion.