"Hrmph... least risk to me... I am not afraid of a few goblins... Thor as my witness, I could take them all myself..." Ragnarr creeps as stealthily as a bull towards the edge of the woods, to a spot overlooking the road where he might drop onto the unsuspecting goblins. He curses to himself as branches snap noisily underfoot... and, the element of surprise likely lost, prepares to launch himself into their midst with axe held high and a wicked gleam in his eye.
Ragnarr moves hastily through the undergrowth. Perhaps too hastily.. However, the loud cracking snap of the branch does not arouse the attention of the goblins as the sound is drowned out by the rushing water below, rather, as Ragnarr springs up in surprise at the sound the pipe-smoking goblin raises a hand and points in the half-orc's direction. Grunting in frustration, Ragnarr sprints along the side of the ravine and with panther-like agility leaps into the air landing on the bridge. The barbarian brandishes his axe and grins menacingly at the goblins. You hear the pounding of hooves as your comrade comes charging down the road.
Ragnarr:
Spot DC 12
Spot DC 18
Hrafn moves forward after Ragnarr with no pretense or effort at stealth. He grips his club tightly ... deep forests aid us against these despoilers ... and it seems to shift and grow gnarled like the root of an ancient tree.
As you see the goblin gesticulating wildly and Ragnarr's agile sprint you move quickly along the ravine's edge club in hand.
"Your death approaches, goblin!" He thunders as he closes to sword range.
Donderstaken sprints down the road his hooves thundering onto the bridge. The two goblins turn as Vladimir bellows his challenge. The knight's sword swings true slashing down the companion of the pipe-smoking goblin. A torrent of blood is unleashed and the goblin hits the bridge in a lifeless heap. The other goblin drops his pipe from his mouth in shock. You hear a surprised cry of anger from behind you as a stunned goblin clad in chain and wielding a spear emerges from the outcropping of boulders now behind you.
Dorvarr hearing the sounds of battle bursts out from the trees and hurries along the edge of the ravine towards the bridge. (Putting you in striking distance of the spear-wielding goblin)
Goblin Initiative 14
The foul creatures shout in their guttural tones revealing their maws of jagged teeth. The pipe-smoking goblin adjacent to Vladimir draws his axe and swings in fury but the knight responds quickly and the blow glances off his shield.
The spear-wielding goblin crouching by the rocks spots the charging half-orc and lets out a ghoulish cry. He throws his spear striking Ragnarr deep in his side.
A shout sounds from the far side of the bridge and a second goblin brandishing a spear emerges from behind the trees. He throws his spear at Vladimir but the spear veers wide and strikes the wooden railings.
The goblins underneath the bridge clamber up their ropes and jump onto the surface of the bridge.
To hit: 10 + 4 + 1 = 15; Damage: 9 + 4 = 13; assuming that's enough to hit and drop a goblin, Ragnarr's cleave feat would enable him to attack another: 1 + 4 + 1 = 6... miss...[/ooc]
Ragnarr attacks the pipe-smoking goblin on the bridge. His swing is forceful but the old goblin reacts with surprising agility ducking the blow just before it would have taken his head clean off. He gnashes his teeth and snarls in defiance.
Huffing and puffing, Dorvarr hopes to close the gap to the goblins.
Rolls a 4, and misses with whichever attack it turns out he was doing...grumble
Exerting himself stout Dorvarr rushes onto the road and sees one of the goblins emerge from the rocks cast the spear the strikes Ragnarr. Bellowing a war cry Dorvarr closes upon the goblin and swings his hammer down but the blow glances off the rocks the goblin is using for cover.
Vlad roars, seeing Ragnarr take a vicious blow.
He wheels Donderstaken (Ride check to control mount in combat 19) and slashes down at the axe-wielding, pipe-smoking goblin with a great overhand swing (attack roll 21, damage 5).
Exerting himself stout Dorvarr rushes onto the road and sees one of the goblins emerge from the rocks cast the spear the strikes Ragnarr. Bellowing a war cry Dorvarr closes upon the goblin and swings his hammer down but the blow glances off the rocks the goblin is using for cover.
Hrafn charges in to help brave Dorvarr; boldly wielding his forest-blessed cudgel. Moving behind the misformed goblin, he measures a mighty blow to its head!
Hrafn charges in to help brave Dorvarr; boldly wielding his forest-blessed cudgel. Moving behind the misformed goblin, he measures a mighty blow to its head!
Clambering over the rocks Hrafn slams the wretched creature with a firm blow across its skull. The goblin is pitched downwards tumbling to the ground. It twitches then ceases motion.
Remaining are the pipe-smoking goblin and the two workers near Ragnarr and Vladimir. Also a single goblin sentry remains at the far side of the bridge. Unnerved by the demise of their comrades the goblins seemingly quail but the pipe-smoker barks in rage steadying his companions.
Ragnarr howls in pain and surprise as the goblin spear bites into his side, and his eyes widen in surprise as the pipe-smoking goblin dodges his blow. Just a scratch... but Loki is surely aiding them... In frustration, he heaves his greataxe again and takes another swing at the pipe-smoker, bellowing with fury.
Ragnarr catches the agile goblin splitting him from crotch to head. The creature gurgles and falls in a bloodied heap.
Another spear sails through the air from the far side of the bridge as the other goblin sentry throws one more spear at the mounted knight.The spear catches Vladimir in the arm. You catch sight of a small figure then moving speedily away down the road away from you.
The one goblin shouts a desparate war cry and swings at Ragnarr but misses his mark. The other worker trembling after the sight of his fallen leader and his near death by Ragnarr's cleaving swing takes a step back and leaps off the bridge to the rushing waters below.
The one goblin shouts a desparate war cry and swings at Ragnarr but misses his mark. The other worker trembling after the sight of his fallen leader and his near death by Ragnarr's cleaving swing takes a step back and leaps off the bridge to the rushing waters below.
Ragnarr screams and lashes out at the fleeing goblin, but its companion's assault on the man-beast throws his timing off.
Vlad cries out at the sudden pain of having a spear strike him in the shoulder, but knocks it away, then slashes at the goblin running from him.
[Edit for length of rambling]** spoiler omitted **
Ragnarr's lunge at the fleeing goblin is obstructed by the wooden beams of the bridge's superstructure and his blow is narrowly deflected.
Vladimir seizing the opportunity thrust his sword forward catching the goblin straight in the chest pinning him against the beam. The foul goblin flails in agony and then slumps dead still pinned to the railing.
Vlad wheels his horse and charges the fleeing goblin, trying to ignore the blow of the last one on the bridge.
[Ride check... 19 Nooooo!!!!]
Frustrated that his mount freezes in fear, he roars after the goblin
"Gah! Gah! Go! Rrrah!" He clings to the reins in an attempt to keep his seat.
"Vlad - ride down that runner," cries Hrafn urgently. "He may bring more!"
Hrafn charges the goblin on the bridge eagerly, clean to sweep him from Vlad's path. Ill-fortune though, his stroke is hasty and goes astray.
Hrafn's swing misses the last goblin on the bridge and seeing the fate of his partner the goblin bellows a suicidal war cry and swings his axe at the Hrafn. The goblin's blade inscribes a deep gash across Hrafn's arm.
Vladimir kicks his steed in an attempt to steady the horse while both Dorvarr's and Ragnar's attempts to bring down the escaping goblin miss their mark and the creature bounds off deep into the woods at a full run.
Hrafn's swing misses the last goblin on the bridge and seeing the fate of his partner the goblin bellows a suicidal war cry and swings his axe at the Hrafn. The goblin's blade inscribes a deep gash across Hrafn's arm.
Vladimir kicks his steed in an attempt to steady the horse while both Dorvarr's and Ragnar's attempts to bring down the escaping goblin miss their mark and the creature bounds off deep into the woods at a full run.
Hrafn curses low under his breath, and lashes out once again with his cudgel. He wants to look over his shoulder and check if Vlad and Dorvarr are coming, but knows he must keep all his attention on this wretch before him.
Cursing, Ragnarr takes aim and fires another arrow at the fleeing goblin, but a sudden gust of wind blows it well off target and into the woods. The man-beast roars at the top of his lungs in frustration and seems ready to snap his bow in half. His eyes are wide with disbelief and anger, his chest heaves and falls quickly, and his nostrils flare as he watches his target escape. With great effort, he manages to restrain himself, shouldering his bow in disgust and kneeling to retrieve his axe before giving chase.
Cursing, Ragnarr takes aim and fires another arrow at the fleeing goblin, but a sudden gust of wind blows it well off target and into the woods. The man-beast roars at the top of his lungs in frustration and seems ready to snap his bow in half. His eyes are wide with disbelief and anger, his chest heaves and falls quickly, and his nostrils flare as he watches his target escape. With great effort, he manages to restrain himself, shouldering his bow in disgust and kneeling to retrieve his axe before giving chase.
The escaping goblin, heading north, now dissapears from vision, lost amidst the shadowy trees of the Darkmoon Vale. The last remaining goblin seeing his companion leave, regards his adversaries with a stony expression as he tightly grips his axe handle...
In a flash he drops the weapon and curls into a fetal position and you make out in a whimpering, broken Common; "Spare me O Big Ones!"
Vlad grips his sword tightly, cursing under his breath as he watches the goblin flee into the woods, then turns to watch the other goblin cower, and shakes his head at Ragnarr.
"No, spare him. We can use this one."
He dismounts and points his sword at the goblin, warily nudging its axe away, then kneels to face the whimpering creature.
"What is your name, goblin? I will spare you if you swear to serve me. My name is Vladimir Kjelsbergsson, and I am a knight of Mosfell. My good companions will not harm you either, but you must serve me honestly."
Vlad grips his sword tightly, cursing under his breath as he watches the goblin flee into the woods, then turns to watch the other goblin cower, and shakes his head at Ragnarr.
"No, spare him. We can use this one."
He dismounts and points his sword at the goblin, warily nudging its axe away, then kneels to face the whimpering creature.
"What is your name, goblin? I will spare you if you swear to serve me. My name is Vladimir Kjelsbergsson, and I am a knight of Mosfell. My good companions will not harm you either, but you must serve me honestly."
If no action is taken
The foul smelling wretch lifts his head cautiously and then pathetically nods at Vladimir. The creature's jagged yellow teeth gnash together excitedly, "Oh yes I's helps big clanky one and friends. I's Breggir. I tell's you goblin secrets and let me go? I's never hurts big ones or their bridges again... I's go into forest never see's me again? I can tell you big secret."
Vlad grips his sword tightly, cursing under his breath as he watches the goblin flee into the woods, then turns to watch the other goblin cower, and shakes his head at Ragnarr.
"No, spare him. We can use this one."
He dismounts and points his sword at the goblin, warily nudging its axe away, then kneels to face the whimpering creature.
"What is your name, goblin? I will spare you if you swear to serve me. My name is Vladimir Kjelsbergsson, and I am a knight of Mosfell. My good companions will not harm you either, but you must serve me honestly."
Hrafn scowls with feral intensity and looks away. It is clear that his instinct is to kill the goblin and leave one less threat to the forest and to his companions.
"Spare the wretch then. And watch your back."
Hrafn seats himself leaning against the bridge support, and tends to the ugly gash in his arm.
You all catch your breath warily eyeing the filthy brute. Dorvarr strides up to the group and glares at your new captive. As Vladimir parleys with the goblin the foul smelling wretch lifts his head cautiously and then pathetically nods at the young knight. The creature's jagged yellow teeth gnash together excitedly, "Oh yes I's helps big clanky one and friends. I's Breggir. I tell's you goblin secrets and let me go? I's never hurts big ones or their bridges again... I's go into forest never see's me again? I can tell you big secret."
You all catch your breath warily eyeing the filthy brute. Dorvarr strides up to the group and glares at your new captive. As Vladimir parleys with the goblin the foul smelling wretch lifts his head cautiously and then pathetically nods at the young knight. The creature's jagged yellow teeth gnash together excitedly, "Oh yes I's helps big clanky one and friends. I's Breggir. I tell's you goblin secrets and let me go? I's never hurts big ones or their bridges again... I's go into forest never see's me again? I can tell you big secret."
"Or maybe I eat you instead," grunts Ragnarr. "I've never had roasted goblin before... Say all you know, or I while make you our evening meal..."
Breggir trembles visibly as Rangarr glowers at him and looks anxiously at everyone else the goblin swallows nervously, "Yeah, I's knows big secret. Attack on the logging camp tonight. They's sneak in and torch barracks when big-ones asleep and shoot down anyone else. We's to take down bridge so no one escapes... But we here because mountains no safe for us. Things from down below prowling mountainsides. Strange ones with horrible laughs... Most of clan lost. Leader says we need to carve out our own land. Leader says he know other big ones that want you big ones dead. Chief's big friend says to take logging camp. Friend will give us signal to sneak in and kill. Torch everything. Burn it all. I's knew no good come off making bargains with big ones (well except you big ones, you big ones like Breggir, be nice to Breggir and let I's go away. Never come back. Deal?"
The goblin looks across at all of you in anticipation.
Hrafn finishes bandaging his arm, using his free hand and his teeth to tie it tight.
He growls "Bind it and bring it with us. I want to talk to the chief's big friend and I don't see any other way to identify him."
"I still think we should keep him for dinner," insists Ragnarr. "We can find others like him who will lead us to their chief's big friend. And we will find more of them soon, since that other one ran away and will warn the rest of his people. They will be expecting us..." The man-beast licks his lips as he eyes the goblin captive and begins to sniff it.
The goblin's eyes widen as Ragnarr grunts. Breggir pleads, "Big one easy to find. Got one eye. Ugly fellow even for a big one. Said he'd put the north fire out. Us come from north woods. That's all I know! Trust Breggir.
He offers no resistance when binded save for pathetic whimpering.
The logging camp should be roughly another hour's march from the bridge.
"Let the wretched thing go. If we can't tell a man from a goblin, then we're in more dire straits than I had imagined. Thor frowns upon those who break their oaths, it makes for a bad start to any quest. Ill fortunes come to oath-breakers, liars or thieves..."
Ragnarr looks grave as Dorvarr speaks his mind. The man-beast's reply is remarkably well considered. "Hrmmm... I made no such oath... but still, I will not break Vladimir's oath... I will not risk the wrath of Thor... Best then to let it go, otherwise it will slow us down... Now let's move..." With that, he snarls at Breggir, then turns away from the party and starts to walk across the bridge.
Breggir gazes back and forth as you decide his fate. A cold wind blows down from the black peaks beyond the Vale and dark clouds dim the waning sun.
Spot DC 12
Ragnarr strides across to the far end of the bridge and the beckoning roading leading on to the last leg towards the logging camp. The wind blows in sudden gusts sending light flurries of snow down from the mountains. The winds bite giving even the hardiest a damp chill. The woods stretch on until in the distance they give way to an expanse of plain and meadows. Just discernable where the plains meet the dense forests of the Darkmoon vale the flickering lights of campfires can be seen. Aside from the screeching cries of ravens a calm prevails over these forlorn lands.
Breggir gazes back and forth as you decide his fate. A cold wind blows down from the black peaks beyond the Vale and dark clouds dim the waning sun.
Spot DC 12
Ignoring the cowering creature, Hrafn stalks suddenly forward, intent on corpse of the goblin's chief. "Look! This is no goblin-wrought blade!"
Hrafn holds aloft a finely crafted dagger and sheath. Evidently stolen it is an exquisite piece of craftsmanship. The sheath is decorated with swirling glyphs of dragons with great fangs that glimmer redly in the low evening sun.
"Taken from some Thane's cairn, or some Dwerrow trove. Who of us will claim it now?"