Tevyn's arrow slams into the chest of #8, the momentum carrying the goblin back a foot before the goblin falls straight back onto its back.
Ameiko continues to sing her song and stabs at #12 again. Once more, the goblin dodges aside.
Sandru moves swiftly to goblin #5 and swipes at it from the opposite side to the dog .
With a single swing of his scimitar, Sandru beheads the startled goblin.
Next Up: Melon, Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Caravaners, Tevyn, Ameiko, Sandru.
Female Dog, Riding
NN Medium Animal
Init +2; Senses Darkvision (60 feet), Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +8
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DEFENSE
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AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11. . (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 10/13 (2d8+4)
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1
Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5; SR 6
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OFFENSE
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Spd 40 ft.
Melee Bite (Dog, Riding) +3 (1d6+3/20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +3 (1d3+2/20/x2)
Special Attacks Smite Evil (1/day)
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STATISTICS
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Str 15, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 15 (19 vs. Trip)
Feats Skill Focus: Perception
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +8 Modifiers +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent, Acrobatics (Jump) +8
Languages
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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+4 to Survival when tracking by Scent +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent.
Acrobatics (Jump) +8 (Ex) You gain the specified bonus to acrobatics checks made to jump.
Damage Resistance, Acid (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Acid attacks.
Damage Resistance, Cold (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Cold attacks.
Damage Resistance, Electricity (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Electricity attacks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
Smite Evil (0/1/day) (Su) +0 to hit, +2 to damage.
Spell Resistance (6) You have Spell Resistance.
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The dog growls a little as Sandru's swing dismembers the goblin; the glance she gives the rolling head indicates she'd really like to gnaw on it a while, but there are more enemies to fight. Turning, she dashes around behind the line of goblins, avoiding the flailing hooves of the set-upon horse.
Corinna moves up behind Sandru and conjures another handful of acid to fling at the goblin attacking the elf. "Are you all right, Mr. Malan?"
The celestial dog moves in and sinks its teeth into the back of goblin #9. The goblin barely has time to scream as its spine snaps. At the same moment, Corinna sends another bolt of acid shooting along the road to smack into the side of #2's head. The goblin doesn't make a sound as it collapses.
Next Up: Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Caravaners, Tevyn, Ameiko, Sandru, Corinna.
Gilfroy takes a 5-foot step to J37 and gingerly reaches out to lay a healing spell on the horse, trying not to get his skull caved in by a frantic hoof.
Cure Light Wounds:
"Is this all you got?" Melon screams at the goblin before her, she elbows it with a chopping motion - leaving a satisfying dark blotch at the point of impact. She steps lightly to threaten the rear of the other goblin.
Malan smiles as he watches the goblin expire from Corinna's magical assault. "With your help, I seem to be fine." Double Move to I36 "With such a potent battle mage like you around, I don't even need to fight."
As Melon takes down another goblin, Gilfroy tentatively reaches out to Tevyn's horse. The horse, recognizing him, allows his touch. Several of the horse's wounds close over.
Malan moves across the road towards the one remaining goblin.
The goblin screams, drops its dogslicer, and tries to get away.
Next Up: Attacks of Opportunity for and Koya, Caravaners, Tevyn, Ameiko, Sandru, Corinna, Melon, Gilfroy, Malan, Goblin.
The dog, still shaking the dying goblin between her teeth, isn't prepared for the other one to run. Dropping the limp corpse on the ground, she lunges at the withdrawing monster, but her teeth snap shut too late.
AoO
Rapier: arcane pool (+1), inspire courage
to hit damage
Giving a grateful nod to Gilfroy, Tevyn lifts his bow and fires at the withdrawing goblin.
The goblin manages to slip away from Malan and the dog and hurries back towards the hills.
Seeing the last of the goblins running, the drivers bring the wagons to a stop again. Meanwhile, Koya moves over to Tevyn's horse and helps Gilfroy heal it.
Tevyn fires an arrow that streaks across the field and hits the goblin in the back. The goblin stumbles forward, doesn't quite fall, but is slowed down.
Ameiko ceases her song, ending its effects, and watches as the goblin stumbles away. "Might as well let it go," she says. "It won't be attacking us again any time soon."
Tevyn lifts his bow to make a second shot but lowers it again at Ameiko's words. He returns his arrow to its quiver and rehangs the bow at his back as he moves forward.
"Thank you," he says earnestly to Koya and Gilfroy. He takes the reins and reaches out to stroke the horse's neck to calm it, whispering soothing words in elvish in its ears.
This spell summons an extraplanar creature (typically an outsider, elemental, or magical beast native to another plane). It appears where you designate and acts immediately, on your turn. It attacks your opponents to the best of its ability. If you can communicate with the creature, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions.
Pleased with the new game, the dog takes off running after the fleeing quarry. Still on the run, she snaps her teeth shut on the back of the goblin's neck and shakes the already limp body enthusiastically. She has just enough time to look up at Corinna and wag her tail proudly before she shimmers back to her home plane, the bloody goblin falling slackly to the ground in an unnaturally limber tangle of limbs.
"Now it won't be attacking anyone else again, ever," Corinna points out to Ameiko a little smugly as she strolls to join the others on the northern side of the road. "Are all the horses all right?" she asks Sandru anxiously.
Ameiko watches as the dog takes down the last goblin and nods as Corinna strolls past her. "You've got that right," she mutters and heads over to Tevyn. "How's the horse?" she asks. "You know, I haven't asked, does he have a name?"
"Are all the horses all right?" she asks Sandru anxiously.
Sandru looks about and then nods. "I only saw one injured, not including Tevyn's," he says. "From what I can tell at the moment, the others look a little spooked but otherwise fine. We'll stop here for a few minutes so Koya can tend to the injured and the drivers can calm the horses. I also need to talk to Shalelu and make sure the way ahead is safe. Has anyone seen her?"
Tevyn looks up from the horse. "He's doing a lot better now, thanks to Gilfroy and Koya. He's a tough fellow, isn't he?" He pats the horse's shoulder with pride. "I've been waiting to name him until I had a better sense of his spirit. After today, I think I'm ready."
He moves forward to look the horse in the eyes. "You fought bravely and didn't back away despite your wounds. In honor of your loyal nature, I name you Abrazân for steadfast."
After a moment, he looks away and rubs Abrazân's neck. "I think that's a good name," he says to Ameiko.
He moves forward to look the horse in the eyes. "You fought bravely and didn't back away despite your wounds. In honor of your loyal nature, I name you Abrazân for steadfast."
After a moment, he looks away and rubs Abrazân's neck. "I think that's a good name," he says to Ameiko.
Ameiko nods approvingly. "Abrazân. I like it. It fits."
As Koya and the drivers begin tending to and calming the horses, Shalelu appears down the road ahead, walking briskly, but not hurriedly towards the caravan. She waves as she approaches.
When she gets closer, she takes quick stock of the goblin bodies on the ground. "There were more up ahead," she says. "I took care of them. I'm glad Malan saw my warning. I was worried I was too late."
Melon smiles at Shalelu. "Thanks! What is it with these little goblins and horses? Both sides looked like they had a personal vendetta against the other."
"Your warning was indeed timely. I believe the day goes to Corinna, though. Her command of the arcane was instrumental in making this a very one sided conflict."
"Goblins hate horses," Shalelu replies to Melon's question. "Just as much as they hate dogs. I don't think they have an actual reason for it. One generation simply passes the hatred onto the next. They hate because they're raised to hate. Horses, on the other hand, don't have any particular grudge against goblins; however, like any living thing, they will defend themselves against attack, and since goblins tend to attack them..." She trails off with a shrug and a smirk.
She turns to Corinna and nods her head. "Thank you for your service."
"That's one of the reasons I hate goblins," Tevyn says. "I like horses. And dogs."
He turns toward Corinna. "Those were some nice spells. The dog in particular was a fitting choice."
"It was a moment of inspiration," she confesses, blushing a little. "I've never summoned anything but a beetle before; I didn't even prepare that spell this morning." She turns back to Malan, laughing. "I suppose that's what you meant the other day about options and what to do when life is less structured than the classroom."
"Yes. It is. I don't discount the laboratory work though. The practice and repetition under controlled circumstances is of vital importance. The greatest of magisters are able to thrive even during those unexpected instances of 'field research'. It is in those moments when your light will shine the brightest. One more thing, good fight."
"I'm afraid I know little about the difference between 'laboratory work' and 'field research'," Shalelu says to Corinna, "but if you were instrumental in turning back the attack, then we owe you a great deal."
"I believe everyone fought well," Tevyn says. "The threat was significant, especially against the horses, and we dealt with it swiftly and effectively. Well done to you all."
"Oh, I've little doubt that everyone here could have defended themselves handiily," she tells Shalelu. "I just hoped to distract the goblins from the horses in harness who couldn't fight back." She turns back to Malan with a smile. "I remember something my first summoning professor told us. He said, 'A soldier will tell you that any fight you can walk away from is a good one. Well, for a wizard, any fight you can stroll lazily up to after your summoned creatures have taken care of it for you is a good fight.' By those standards, I suppose you're right: This was a good fight."
"That dog looked familiar actually," Melon adds, "did you call... Lady?"
"Well," Corinna blushes, "not her exactly. But I did have her in mind when I cast the spell. You see, when a wizard casts a summoning spell, it creates a link to another plane that searches for a creature matching the wizard's intentions, so since I was thinking of Lady, it found a dog on one of the Upper Planes that looked like her to answer my summons. Now that I've summoned her, though, I should be able to call back the same dog if ever I need her again."
While Koya sees to the injured horses (and any injured people as well ), Sandru and the drivers get the wagons back onto the road and give them a brief check to make certain the wheels haven't been damaged by the brief off-road travel. Once they've confirmed that everything's in good shape, the caravan gets underway again.
As Corinna climbs up onto the seat beside Sandru, he says, "That was good work in the battle. I'll be sorry to lose you once we pass Riddleport."
Shalelu heads out again to scout and make certain that there are no other goblins nearby. Ameiko climbs onto the back of the lead wagon again and begins lightly playing her samisen and humming. Koya walks alongside the caravan for a little while, easily keeping pace, until her longstrider spell wears off. At that point, she returns to her wagon.
The goblin attack only delayed you a little, so you still make Riddleport that evening. The sun is setting by the time you reach the rocky harbour and the two tall ridges the cramped city is tucked between. Instead of following the road through the eastern ridge into the city proper, Sandru has the caravan turn north along a smaller road which leads to an area just outside the north end of the city. Sandru calls this area "Lubbertown". "It's a bit lawless in this area," he says, "but then, that's pretty true of the whole city, and the dirt roads here are better for the wagons than the ill-repaired cobblestone things they have in the city proper. We'll camp at the edge of Lubbertown for the night, and take care of any business in the city tomorrow."
"I'm... not very religious. But apparently we go to some other place after we die, based on our faith and deeds. Wouldn't this be true for dogs as well? For all we know you really did call Lady from wherever she is now?"
"I've never read any mention of animals in the Boneyard," Corinna replies, with a shrug, "although it's possible that Pharasma has a separate realm to judge them. At any rate, sentient souls that have been judged and sorted by the Lady of Graves have no memory of their lives on the Material Plane, and most are transformed into new forms in their new homes. I think it very unlikely that I should recognize Lady, if she were in existence on some other plane, and almost unthinkable that she would recognize me. The poor thing earned her rest anyway; I'd hate to think of her being at the beck and call of conjurors until the end of time. Although it would be nice to think she got a chance to get a little revenge on gobinkind."
As Corinna climbs up onto the seat beside Sandru, he says, "That was good work in the battle. I'll be sorry to lose you once we pass Riddleport."
She offers him a noncommittal smile. "I'm just pleased I got a chance to be of some help before reaching Riddleport. I'd hate to feel I'd taken advantage of you, however inadvertently, by traveling with your caravan without contributing anything in return." She is silent a few moments as the wagons start moving again, then ventures, "I'm going to ask you the same question I asked about Roderic's Cove. If you were in Riddleport and wanted to leave word for someone you expected to come after you, someone who had never been to Riddleport before, where would you leave it? Whom would you trust to deliver your message?"
Tevyn rides up beside Ameiko's wagon. "I didn't have the opportunity to comment on this before but I enjoyed the song you sang in battle. There was something about hearing it that made it easier for me to focus on my targets. It's a rare gift to be able to inspire people like that."
She offers him a noncommittal smile. "I'm just pleased I got a chance to be of some help before reaching Riddleport. I'd hate to feel I'd taken advantage of you, however inadvertently, by traveling with your caravan without contributing anything in return." She is silent a few moments as the wagons start moving again, then ventures, "I'm going to ask you the same question I asked about Roderic's Cove. If you were in Riddleport and wanted to leave word for someone you expected to come after you, someone who had never been to Riddleport before, where would you leave it? Whom would you trust to deliver your message?"
"I've made several contacts in Riddleport over the years," Sandru says. "I can show you to the trustworthy ones easily enough if you'd like. Thing is, I can't be sure any of them would have been around twenty-odd years ago, which is the timeframe you're looking for. Still, while they may not have the information you want, I'm pretty sure at least one of them will be able to direct you to someone who does. It may take a bit of time, but I'm pretty sure I can convince Ameiko to stay a whole day in Riddleport."
Tevyn rides up beside Ameiko's wagon. "I didn't have the opportunity to comment on this before but I enjoyed the song you sang in battle. There was something about hearing it that made it easier for me to focus on my targets. It's a rare gift to be able to inspire people like that."
Ameiko looks up from her Samisen. "Thank you!" she says. "I find music in battle can help fire up the spirit as well as distract from the horrors of it all." She shifts over to get closer to Tevyn and his horse, and says in a slightly lower tone, "I'll confess though that there's more than a little magic involved. Talent is necessary, sure, but it's backed up by magic. Not that the magic doesn't involve some skill too, I suppose, but it's nothing like the magic Corinna was throwing around in the battle." She shrugs. "Anyway, I'm rambling."
"Thank you," she smiles wanly at Sandru. "You've been very helpful. I only hope I'm not too late. The most recently anyone seems to have seen him was five years ago...."
Tevyn nods in understanding, lowering his voice to match hers. "I thought there must be something more involved. I consider myself quite skilled with the bow but each arrow seemed..." He struggled for a moment and then shrugged. "Perhaps that is the magic. There was something else but I can't explain what it was. Regardless, I think every bit of assistance, whether it be the inspiration of your music or the bite of Corinna's dog adds to the success of the whole."
He pauses a moment, and then turns to a less confusing topic. "I don't recall if you've ever mentioned, have you been to Riddleport before? I understand it'll be quite a bit larger than Sandpoint."
Melon spends some time with the horses, one in particular. This is uncommon as she usually shunned them. But today at least she's whispering sweet nothings and nuzzles its nostrils. Later she's overheard muttering 'Gotta be better than the wagon.'
He pauses a moment, and then turns to a less confusing topic. "I don't recall if you've ever mentioned, have you been to Riddleport before? I understand it'll be quite a bit larger than Sandpoint."
"A lot bigger than Sandpoint," Ameiko says. "Not Magnimar big, but still pretty big. I've been there a couple of times. Not for several years though. I went once during my adventuring days, and then I went shortly after purchasing the Rusty Dragon in order to set up some supply contacts. I've been back once since then."
She hops down off the wagon to walk beside Tevyn and his horse. "To be honest, it's not much of a place to see. I personally would have preferred bypassing it on our way to Brinewall, but it's part of Sandru's regular route, and it wouldn't have saved more than a day or two's journey anyway."
"Thank you," she smiles wanly at Sandru. "You've been very helpful. I only hope I'm not too late. The most recently anyone seems to have seen him was five years ago...."
"Five years isn't too bad," Sandru says. "If he was still active in these parts five years ago, it increases the chances that there's still someone around who remembers him."
"Oh?" says Tevyn. "That's too bad. I keep hearing about the grandeur of cities. It's been hard for me to imagine that they can be as majestic as a forest or as stunning as the coast but I've always wondered about them. I suppose if nothing else, it'll be a good place to re-supply."
"Oh?" says Tevyn. "That's too bad. I keep hearing about the grandeur of cities. It's been hard for me to imagine that they can be as majestic as a forest or as stunning as the coast but I've always wondered about them. I suppose if nothing else, it'll be a good place to re-supply."
Ameiko laughs lightly. "Depends on the city, really. Magnimar's a lot nicer than Riddleport. Parts of it could even be described as majestic. I've heard Korvosa is impressive, too, but I haven't actually been there. Come to think of it, the only big cities I've actually been to are Riddleport and Magnimar. My adventuring days didn't take me all that far afield really. People in Sandpoint think I'm well-travelled, but that's because most people in Sandpoint have never even left Sandpoint. I also listen to stories, so I hear about other places a lot. But there's a big difference between hearing stories about places and actually knowing those places through real experience. I daresay you're better travelled than I am. Brinewall will actually be the furthest from Sandpoint I've ever gone."
"I've been to a couple of places. Like big places I mean," Melon can't help but throw in a few words when she overhears Tevyn and Ameiko. "For the most part it is just like smaller places: people are people, everywhere. Though the big cities do have more imposing sights. Like the great temple in Sandpoint? But plenty more. In Magnimar, part of the city is on the remains of a massive bridge. Seriously big. I mean really big. You could fit Sandpoint on part of the bridge. Nobody could tell me why there was a bridge there, though, or who build it. Probably before the earthfall, then, ya?"
Once they've arrived, Gilfroy comes to find Corinna. "I suppose you'll be leaving us then," he says sadly. "Do you need any help carrying your things into the city wherever you'll be staying?"
He doesn't even seem to realize the ridiculousness of the weak gnome offering to help carry luggage.
Once they've arrived, Gilfroy comes to find Corinna. "I suppose you'll be leaving us then," he says sadly. "Do you need any help carrying your things into the city wherever you'll be staying?"
He doesn't even seem to realize the ridiculousness of the weak gnome offering to help carry luggage.
Corinna, standing at the edge of the camp trying to catch a glimpse of the famed Thassilonian Cyphergate in the harbor by the last rays of the setting sun, is startled by the voice suddenly emanating from the twilight near her elbow. "Oh! Mr. Fezziwig! I didn't see you there." She gives a nervous laugh. "I, er, I'm afraid I haven't thought that far ahead. I think it's highly unlikely that ... the person I'm looking for would actually be in Riddleport -- at least, I hope he's not, considering the place's reputation. It's more probable I find a clue as to which way to go next, if I find anything at all. Either way, I suppose I'll have to spend at least one night in Riddleport ... alone." The prospect doesn't seem to cheer her any, but she forces a smile. "I understand there's a mage's guild here, dedicated to studying the Thassilonian relic," she nods to the bit of the stone arch that can be seen over the buildings to the south. "Perhaps I can rent a room there. I'd certainly feel more comfortable in an academic setting with fellow scholars than in some wild pirates' tavern."
"Are you sure you want to head in to that city at this hour? Maybe just stay with the wagons where the biggest danger is a surprise visit from Melon and Ameiko in kitten costumes?"
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of heading in there now," Corinna replies immediately, her eyes wide with apprehension. "I wouldn't go walking in the streets of Korvosa after dark, and I certainly have no intention of wandering into a strange city after sunset, even if it didn't have the reputation Riddleport has. No, I'll be staying here tonight; it's tomorrow I'll have to find a safe place to sleep. I suppose that means one more night of Ameiko's 'entertainment,'" she sighs, then suddenly registers his final comment. "Why ... kittens?" she asks hesitantly and with trepidation.