Ehlissa grimly turns and goes to aid Naelah's lupine companion. In contrast to the manic glee of Slidell or the soul-searching of Corran, the Magnimaran noble is determined and calm now after her earlier outburst. As the farm worker threshes the grain, so she approaches her work.
She looks the goblin straight in the eye, and lunges for him!
Hit, hit, hit the naughty goblin.. or not in this case (1d20+3=9)
Corran sprints around the wagon and attempts to dismember the distracted goblin with a quick slash.
Vesh can feel his anger burning in his chest and tastes bile in the back of his throat. As Slidell ably distracts the goblin, Vesh swings with his short sword at its open side.
As the last goblin falls beneath Vesh's blade, Slidell gives him a wide grin.
"Good job." He offers, leaning on his staff and favoring his leg.
When the priests enter the square and ask after the wounded, Slidell seems to forget his own leg as he remembers his earlier worry and rushes with the priests to check on Naelah and the others. When it becomes obvious that she and everyone else will live, he backs up and lets those with the specialized knowledge do thier jobs. Of course he watches over thier shoulders as they work. He seems to take particular interest in thier spellcasting.
After the seriously wounded people are tended, he accepts a proper bandaging for his leg, or a MINOR cure if it is offered. Then bends low over the goblin bodies. He is not looting, but rather cataloging the similarities and differences, if any, between the bodies.
Veran glides down and lands on his master's shoulder, possibly to assist. But the heated whispering from Slidell indicates that the bird may be distracting as much as he is helping.
"Good job."
Vesh gives Slidell a sidelong look, "Pits in my sword blade, indeed!" He cracks an uncharacteristic smile at the lanky mage.
For all that has happened today, Vesh can't help but feel more exhilarated than overwhelmed. Quite suddenly, he finds himself looking at the faces around him.
Ehlissa and Corran, only met minutes--maybe seconds--ago are like childhood friends to him for some inexplicable reason. Sitting next to them at Ameiko's, and fighting next to them just now, creates a bond that Vesh is at a loss of words to explain.
Vesh watches Slidell as he looks over the bodies of the dead goblins. It is hard for Vesh to believe that he thought Slidell, with his odd manners and manic way of speaking, was trying to poison him earlier today. Vesh feels a laugh bubbling out of him as he watches Slidell engage in a whispered argument with Veran, a laugh that is quickly stifled when he sees Veren padding over to Naelah from the other side of the Wagon.
A stone drops into Vesh's stomach at the site of the Shoanti girl sitting on the hay bale, Father Zanthus at her side. She seems smaller and more fragile than before. Vesh feels a mixture of anger and overwhelming sadness as he looks at her bloodstained hair--an outrage of red on snowy white.
As Vesh stands considering her, he hears hurried footsteps approaching from behind. Sword still drawn, he spins but sees that it is just the sailor from earlier. The sailor--what was his name?--approaches carrying something in his arms.
----------------------
Naelah sits heavily on the hay bale as the goblins go down, one after another. She can hear her keka's voice in her head, Foolish girl! You were born of the wind. It flows from your heart, not between your ears! Veren pads up to her, his snout bloodied, but otherwise unhurt.
She watches the flames rising from the cart and knows, with a few more seconds, she could have called forth water and that there would be no burning cart. But, the goblins had made a mess of her plans, and her side and back as well. From the swirling haze and smoke, she sees a man running towards her. Keka?
No, not keka. The man they call Nathal, the Khasht of Desna. He has kind eyes. The man bends and examines her wounds. In common she tells him, "Hurry, Nathal, I do not think this storm has blown over yet," as she scratches Veren's head.
Shoanti:
Keka = Poppi
Nathal = Father
Khasht = Priest
---------------------
Ehlissa goes up to Corran and asks, "Are you alright, Corran? You seemed... well... taken aback when... at the start of the fight." The girl places a hand on his shoulder, "It was like that for me too, the first time I- the first man I killed. It wasn't pleasant. It still isn't."
I dash into the square with an armful of weapons and several quivers hanging from my back. I come to a halt in front of "I got two bows, two crossbows, and three slings." I say dumping the weapons on the ground, along with some ammunition. I bow to the rest of the group and say "Well, I suppose we're all defending Sandpoint together aren't we? I'm Sir Malcolm of Riddleport, sailor by trade." I bow again and kiss Ehlissa's hand "An honor to fight alongside a noblewoman." and to Naelah I bow and say "It is a rare pleasure to meet one of your people, particularly one so beautiful." with a broad smile.
I turn to father Zantus and ask "Father, I was wounded by some of those goblins. I don't suppose you could heal a few of my wounds? I would find it most disappointing if a lowly goblin brought me down on this day. It seems as though none of us escaped unharmed."
I take two draughts of the liquid and thank the father.
Ehlissa graciously accepts Malcolm kissing her hand and then wipes it on her breeches when no-one is looking.
"I got two bows, two crossbows, and three slings." I say dumping the weapons on the ground, along with some ammunition. I bow to the rest of the group and say "Well, I suppose we're all defending Sandpoint together aren't we? I'm Sir Malcolm of Riddleport, sailor by trade."
"Sir Malcolm," Of Riddleport, notes Vesh, "thank you for the weapons ... If no one minds," Says Vesh as he stoops, frowning again, to pick up the shortbow and a quiver of arrows, "I am accurate with a shortbow."
[Naelah] stands unsteadily with the help of the acolytes, who help her walk towards the cathedral. Veren quietly pads behind, giving you as sorrowful glance as you can imagine from a wolf before disapearing around the corner after the Shoanti and her caretakers.
As Vesh moves to pick up his thrown dagger, Naelah and Veren are led to the cathedral. "Where--" Vesh starts, but he's interrupted by Father Zantus.
"My humble apologies. I am Zantus, servant of Desna. Come, ye wounded and drink from the decanter."
And, in that instant, Naelah and Veren are gone. Vesh swallows hard, and then turning to the priest, he approaches and kneels before him in the Varisian manner. "Father," Vesh starts, "I am but a wayward follower of The Song of Spheres, a sinner, but I am on the road. I would drink, Father, and pray that you watch over the Shoanti girl and her wolf."
I nod at Vesh "Yes, of Riddleport. Is that an issue?"
I nod at Vesh "Yes, of Riddleport. Is that an issue?"
Vesh catches himself and says quickly, "No. I am lately from Riddleport myself." He then continues to busy himself with the bow and arrows before Malcolm can question him further.
"Thank you father." Slidell murmurs as he accepts a drink from the flask. His wounded leg now fully restored except for a slight scar, he hands the decanter back to Zanthus, taking a moment to inspect the symbols on his robes.
"Take good care of her please, father." He says, motioning to where the last glimpse of Neahlah and her companion could be seen entering the chapel. "She is,... a very special young lady." He finishes, obviously thinking more than he's saying.
With that Slidell turns his attention back to the square, looking as if hes forgotten something. He scans the square, whispering to Veran. His attention is drawn to the pair of warriors, and to the newly-returned sailor and his pile of bows. Grinning as he passes Vesh, who is heading towards the Priest, Slidell approaches the sailor.
"Well-met! Sir Malcolm was it? Slidell, sometimes called the Stomraven, at your service!" He beams as he sticks out his hand in greeting. "Quite a bit of excitement for a festival isn't it? Tho I doubt that they were on the program originally." He continues, nodding at the nearest goblin body. "Candy?" he says as he sticks out his other hand holding the now-familiar paper wrapper. His eyes flicker briefly up and down the lean sailor's figure as he notes the clothing, weapons, and accessories of weapon-bearer.
Ehlissa goes up to Corran and asks, "Are you alright, Corran? You seemed... well... taken aback when... at the start of the fight." The girl places a hand on his shoulder, "It was like that for me too, the first time I- the first man I killed. It wasn't pleasant. It still isn't."
"I'm alright, thank you." Corran rips a piece of cloth of a dead goblin's clothes and starts to clean his blade. "I've been in fights before, and training, but this was... different."
One stroke, and I ended a life. A goblin life, but still.... was it supposed to be this easy? Two or three dead at my hands, and I feel no guilt, for they were the aggressor, and I did my duty. But that could have been me, laying here split open in the sun. Will I still stand strong if I am wounded like Ehlissa or Naelah was?
Corran stands, and rinses his mouth out with his waterskin. "If the square is secure, we should go and seek out where we could help more. For a raid like this, there must be more goblins to slay or fires to put out."
Vesh remains quiet, contemplating everything that has just happened.
"Take good care of her please, father... She is,... a very special young lady."
Does Slidell have an affection for her? He thinks to himself. Do I? The priest's word come to him.
"Son, your actions today - and those of your friends - are the Song, the Glory of Desna!"
He cannot feel encouraged by his kindness as Naelah's words intrude on his thoughts. Hurry, Nathal, I do not think this storm has blown over yet. What was she saying? What had she sensed?
Vesh cleans his blades and sheaths them. Then, strapping the quiver to his back, he strings the shortbow and carries an arrow, ready to knock it when needed.
A frown crosses Vesh's face as he once again becomes lost in his thoughts.
"Desna's blessing comes to those who deserve it, who need it, who use it."
I am all three, Vesh decides. I am all three.
Ehlissa nods graciously at Father Zanthus, "I thank you, Father; as my comrades have said, please take care of Naelah. She has the bravest soul of us all. And I shal pray to My Lady as well." she almost subconsciously touches the centre of her chest just below her neck.
"If there was time, I'd get my armour and-" her look of frustration turns to one of horror, "The stables!" she says too loudly, "Fleetfoot! I- Iomedae, please let her be alright!"
Slidell stands before the sailor, listening to his reply, but his eyes almost seem to glaze as he compares his mental notes and makes and discards theories as easily as the children go through his candy. He continues to nod as if in reply even after Malcolm has stopped speaking.
As one by one his companions react to something on the other side of the square, Slidell starts to hum as if to a tune that only he can hear. Finally, after an almost human sigh, it is Veran who pecks Slidell's ear and chatters loudly but too quickly for those nearby to make what he is saying.
"Hmmm? What's that? Timmy's in the well again? OW!! What!?!" Slidell glares at his personal feathered fiend, who, with Slidell's attention now recaptured, once more chatters in common too quickly to be easily understood.
"Well why didn't you say something!? Where?"
Veran's reply is a single squawk which is an unmistakable question mark.
"Well don't just sit there like a stuffed pigeon, go and find him!"
Slidell spins to the the others as Veran launches from his shoulder and begins winging his way high towards Cliff street.
"There's still trouble, someone's calling for help, let's go!" He shouts with an enthusiastic smile. He then grabs his crossbow from where it hangs on his hip, pulls the lever and drops a bolt into place.
"Ready?" he asks as he looks up,... to find his companions already sprinting across the square.
"Hey! Wait for me!" He calls as he runs to catch up with his new friends, loaded crossbow at the ready.
Slidell got a 4 on his perception check here.
Veran got a 21 here. (Blasted showoff bird-brain!)
Vesh is jarred from his thoughts by the sound of Veran's squawking and chattering.
"There's still trouble, someone's calling for help, let's go!"
But Vesh is looking up at the Raven, who has taken flight and is heading north.
As Slidell loads his crossbow, Vesh spins to address Ehlissa, Corran, and Malcolm. "Shall we?" and--turning on the spot--he runs to keep Veran in sight.
Slidell:
Ahead of you, between a pair of houses, you spot a human-sized figure crouching under a handcart. You do not see any goblins, but Veran's incessant squawking and the sound of shrieking laughter tell you they are not far away.
"Well hello, who have we here?" Slidell asks aloud and starts forward, until the gentle yet firm hand of Vesh on his shoulder stops him. Looking at the earnest young man, Slidell gives a lopsided grin.
"Ah, yes. We have company. Slow and steady wins the race and all that. Right. In formation then?" He asks, bringing his crossbow to the ready position.
Vesh slows as he approaches a row of buildings to the north of the square. Where is the danger coming from? He thinks as Slidell sprints up.
"Sli--" Stutters Vesh, "wa--," but Slidell is in front of him.
Well hello, who have we here?" Slidell asks aloud and starts forward, until the gentle yet firm hand of Vesh on his shoulder stops him. Looking at the earnest young man, Slidell gives a lopsided grin.
"Ah, yes. We have company. Slow and steady wins the race and all that. Right. In formation then?" He asks, bringing his crossbow to the ready position.
"Information," blurts Vesh as he pulls the Mage to the left of the alley for cover . "Can Veran tell you where the Goblins are?"
"Ehlissa, you may want this, since you are unarmoured." Corran unslings his shield and passes it to her, then takes a two-handed grip on his longsword. "The fight ahead might be chaotic, and you might need the shield to ward yourself. I'm still wearing my mail shirt, so I'll be protected as well."
"I've got a bad feeling about this."
I grin at Vesh "From Riddleport eh? Fine place. Never seen a better place to live out your days, except the open sea of course." I shake Slidell's hand, saying "A pleasure to meet you, Slidell Stormraven. Yes, it was very exciting, almost as exciting as a day out on the sea. Oh, thank you."
I suck on a chunk of candy while picking a crossbow from the pile.
I turn, hearing screams and that blasted song in time to see the talking raven fly away and my new-found friends run after it. I follow them, stopping and listening to Slidell's plan.
Slidell contemplates Vesh's whispered suggestion.
"Hm. Yes. There are other entrances to this street, right around either of these buildings." He whispers back, indicating the buildings they are currently between.
"Let's see if we can find out where our would-be foes would be!"
He narrows his eyes and seems to concentrate. A few moments later, Veran comes winging down, unusually silent for the noisy raven. After a quick exchange of whispers, Slidell turns back to Vesh and the others and says softly, "OK, Here's what Veran saw,..."
Ehlissa accepts the shield with gratitude, "Thank you, Corran. Now let's give them a fight that the minstrels will recall in song!"
"We need to go 'round this way!" Vesh nods in the direction of the corner of the smaller building as he says this. "Not straight up the alley."
"You both go, and I'll cover." He continues as he knocks an arrow.
Ehlissa nods at Vesh's advice (much better than her fool-hardy assault down the main alley-way she realises to her chagrin) and goes round the side of the left-most building to attack the champion and his wolf that way. Once she sees the despicable pair, she cries to the champion, "Coward!"
I begin to climb up the wall of the nearest building but make very little progress, being much more familiar with climbing the ropes of a ship than the wall of a house.
Vesh moves to the corner of the house and peeks around it. Seeing the wolf and the goblin , he draws his bow waiting for either to charge.
Attack hits 17; Damage = 5 ~ Sneak damage, if applicable = 4
I think that's all of the spells you've used.
Welcome back Psi :)
Corran rushes around the corner of the building, his blade in a 2 handed grip. "Goblin scum! Try facing someone armed!"