Gorgoron is unable to make out any forms atop the watch towers, nor any patrols around the fortress.
Gorgoron moves back to the group, "I can't see anyone on the other side. The bridge looks like a bridge to me, I'm not an engineer. Seeing as goblins made it, we should probably go one at a time. I can go first, unless there is another volunteer..."
"Then let us proceed to the bridge and cross," Alyoma answers. "But I would suggest Ansruath go first, since he can defend the end of the bridge until the rest of us can cross. You can follow him, Gorgoron."
"Okay than." Ansruath says after hearing Alyoma speak he than readies his blade before slowly making his way across the bridge.
Thaddeus lifts a finger hesitantly in attention, "Do we not have any rope amongst us? I would hasten to suggest we tie a rope off, in the chance that the aforementioned bridge is of unreliable construction." He murmurs, "Not to mention my suggestion of the lightest going first. If nothing else, let me be the first across. I am likely the lightest of us that can also still handle themselves in a melee."
As an afterthought he turns to Alyoma, "No slight intended Milady, just that I can only judge outwardly based on the signs of weapons and armor in use. I'm certain you are formidable in your own way." He levels a slight bow, with his apology.
"I've no rope, I'm afraid. Anyone else?"
"Sorry, I cary no rope," Alyoma laughs, holding forth her thin arms. "I've not much in the way of arm strength, so I tend to travel light."
"But if Thaddeus wishes to cross first, then I would let him, with Ansruath following after he is across."
This bridge looks shoddy! It would barely support one of us, much less two! We must cross one at a time!"
Ansruath is already partially across as Alyoma's exclamation and Thaddeus' assesment. As if to puncuate their points the wind kicks up and the shoddy bridge sways uncomfortably underfoot. The boards, warped as they are from the damp, salty ocean air, creak and crack menacingly, threatening to give out at any moment. Inch by inch Ansruath crosses to the otherside, one wrong step holding the possibility of sending the half elf tumbling onto the jagged rocks and churning surf below. After what seems like an eternity everyone is able to release a communal sigh of relief as he steps off the bridge and only dry land; onto the tiny upthrust island of Thistletop. With the heavy threat of danger looming the rocky cliff face that the goblin fortress squats upon almost appears as an enormous skill, ready to plunge beneath the waves on a moment's notice.
"If no others mind, I would ask that I be next? Then I would suggest the lady, so that she would not be left here of her own devices, or unguarded." Thaddeus suggests
"I will wait and come over last then."
"That sounds acceptable. Thaddeus next," Alyoma agrees.
Thaddeus crosses as shortly after, moving with notably less grace than the half elven warrior that was first on the rickety bridge. Once he is safely across, Lleneth follows, then Alyoma. All the while those at the far end of the treacherous drop are keeping lookout for any sign of goblins or other troubles. No danger befalls the group until Gorgoron is halfway across, however. As the dwarf takes the bridge, one step at a time, a quartet of goblins riding rat-faced canines rounds the corner of the fortress, appearently circulating on patrol, and chitter and squak as they see you party, horsechoppers at the ready.
Alyoma concentrates, and brings down a minute meteor upon the closest goblin and dog.
Lleneth will delay.
COMBAT MAP (now with goblins!)
A magical meteor coalesces from a swarm of flaming motes above the goblin and goblin dog duo nearest Alyoma and crashes down out of the sky. It connects with the over-sized skull of the green-skinned cretin with a sickening cracked, leaving the little beast dazed for a moment as it tries to clear its wounded cranium. Its mount carefully pitches as it dodges chunks of heated rubble. Snarling with too many rows of jagged fangs to count, the goblin spurs its mount forward to counterattack, raising its halberd crafted of junk and dross high.
Alyoma's force barrier turns aside two retaliatory strikes, but the goblin weapons and sharp, rat-like teeth cut deep into the rest of the front lines.
ACK. Rashes. Lleneth finds himself suppressing an incredible urge to scratch his arm, but with Gorogon on the bridge there isn't exactly much room to avoid a battle.
He starts telling a story about a young man whose life flipped over from a sudden relocation to a small Brevoy town.
Gorgoron moves with the swaying bridge, his spear held out in front of himself like a balance pole, and to catch the ropes should he stumble. With great relief he reaches the solid ground behind his allies and readies his spear to attack.
Round 1, Init 7, 15/31 HP
Ansruath growls out something about these damn goblins on rats before swinging his blade at one of the goblins.
Thaddeus swings his blade at the goblin in front of Lleneth, more of a warding blow as he prays to Iomedae to help him protect the others. "By your grace, let my enemies cower before your might."
Lleneth's inspiring tale lifts the party's spirits, allowing their blades to strike truer. Weaving spell and sword into one, Thaddues utters a short prayer, his hand twisting into an arcane gesture. No sooner is one of the goblins' mind clouded than does the man's weapon slashes forward, drawing a deep gash across another's abdomen. The runt squeals in pain, its bulbous, blood-shot eyes going wide, and blood gushes forward. Through sheer determination it remains astride its mount, however shakily.
Like the expert swordsman that he is, Ansruath quickly cuts down the goblin threatening Alyoma, his curved eleven blade cleanly slicing through green flesh. Gorgoron finishes crossing the bridge to Thistletop Rock, his longspear already in hand.
Round 2, Init 16
Alyoma pulls the twisted iron wand out, and strikes at the goblin dog in front of her.
Gorgoron steadies his spear, and then thrusts at one of the riders.
With a flick of her wrist and an arcane utterance Alyoma activates the forked wand the party had found in the ancient tunnels beneath Sandpoint. It crackles with a blue magical lightning, causing the hair of those near her to have their hair stand on end with a static charge. Jabbing the implement into the rat-faced canine before her, the sorceress releases the spell. The goblin dog yelps and jumps as electricity flows through it; shrinking back wearily and whimpering once the effects of the attack pass.
With its rider dead an assaulted by a force it can't possibly comprehend, the beast before Alyoma flees , whining as it limps away in fear. The goblin directly in front of Thaddeus shifts in its seat stupidly staring at motes of dust in the salty air, barely in control of its mind's most basic faculties due to the magi's spell. However, its mount continues its tenacious attack on Ansruath. The other healthy duo of goblin and monster likewise press their attacks on their chosen targets. The severely wounded goblin clutches its blood-spilling side. It commands its mount to kill in its gutteral tongue then slips off the back .
As the goblin slides from his mount, Gorgoron wheels his spear and transfixes him through the chest, the cold iron spearhead spraying blood as it pierces deep.
Round 2, 15/31
Ansruath seeing the goblins move, attacks the one in front of Thaddeus.
5/21 HP, Inspire Courage round 2
Lleneth takes a 5 foot step back, (K9) and pulls out his wand, zapping himself with a Cure Light Wounds. Somehow, he does it without breaking up his story.
Gorgoron, seeing Lleneth falling back injured, draws his own wand and casts another healing on the wounded bard.
With Lleneth stepping back, it allows Thaddeus to sidle over into the space he vacated to try and provide a barrier between the enemy and the performer. With his earlier success, he attempts to repeat the action, but switching targets. He attempts to confound the dog right in front of him, while he swings on the goblin to his right.
Round 3, Init 16
Alyoma steps over to the next goblin dog, and again strikes out with her wand, hoping for a similar reaction.
Gorgorn deftly skewers the retreating goblin with a powerful thrust of his longspear. Lleneth steps back and draws a slender wand, he briefly interjects an arcane syllable into his story, his wounds beginning to magically knit as tale continues, his oration still magically augmenting your spirits. In a brilliant display of dedication, Thaddeus again weaves spell and sword into one, clouding one of the rat-faced canine's minds with a minor enchantment while hacking deep into a goblin's side with his gleaming blade. After a brief yelp the green-skinned brute slips from his bloody saddle and to the dirt below.
Ansruath focuses and strikes at the remaining goblinoid. His corded muscles move with fluid grace despite his armor drawing the slender blade of elven make cleanly before and through the cretin. The goblin warrior chortles for a moment, giddy an an appearant missed slice, but pauses as blood wells forth from his torso, which heartbeats later slides from his legs, his body neatly split in two. Gorgoron mirrors Lleneth's motions, drawing his own wand and further mending the bard's injuries, their combined magics intermingling and bringing him back to health. Alyoma bears the twisted, forked, iron wand wand again, striding forth and activating it in one smooth motion. Again it connects with a mangey creature, jolting the beasts with a crackling burst of electricity. It whimpers in a a mixture of pain and confusion, the others squeaking and yipping-confused by the scent of ozone in the air the lack of direction from their now dead goblin masters. The one whose mind was invaded by Thaddeus seems to have shaken off the brunt of his spell.
Snarling the goblin dogs step forward as though to rabidly press their attack, but howl in fear moments later when the party doesn't retreat at their advance and collectively turn and bound around the corner of the fortress; out of sight.
When the 'hounds' race off, Thaddeus relaxes slightly as he becomes aware of his own injuries. "No sense in running after a fleeing dog. We get tired, they get further away. Though I'm unaware of whether they have the capacity for speech, if not then they won't really be able to report much. Is everyone alright?"
"I am fine, but the rest of you look to be half dead or worse," Alyoma states, looking at the bloodied group.
"Gorgoron, do you have enough healing to aid them?"
"I do. We have our wands as well. What should we do from here? I am leery of camping here on what amounts to the goblin's door step, but if we fall back, they could fortify themselves around that bridge, and we would have a hell of a time retaking it. They know we're coming now."
"Though it might prove a great challenge, I think we should refresh ourselves as best we can, and press on as long as possible. If we do so, do those of you who use magic have enough power left to continue?"
Gorgron grasps his carving of the Dawnflower and recites a prayer, channeling her healing energy into all those surrounding him.
"I have... about two good spells left in me." Lleneth comments, looking at his stab wound. "Ugh, these dogs are itchier than the stories led me to believe."
He scratches at his rash. "More to the point, I have plenty of talk."
"While my personal magics are low, with this wand I think we can push on for a bit more," Alyoma replies.
Gorgoron looks over the goblin fortress, looking for weaknesses and a way in.
"Let's get going then. Should we follow the path to the gate, or circle around an try to find a place to scale the fence, or perhaps crawl under it...?"