Die, Dog, Die - 2nd pre-Surprise Round
18 Green Goblin *
17 Red Mounted Goblin *
16 Aziza
16 Mirela
16 Thorn
12 Gray Goblin *
11 Gold Mounted Goblin *
11 Barek
8 Seldon
The group, while not being especially silent, has several advantages as they sneak forward. The barking of the dog, the darkness, and the general dog-hate that all goblins manifest combine to allow you to creep up.
As you watch, the mounted goblin lets out a snarl and rides forward, with a lunge his halberd-like weapons penetrates the brave dogs flank, and it goes down, yelping. The goblin finishes off the dog with a final stroke.
The effect on the other goblins is instantaneous. Coming out of their hiding places they laugh, dance, and caper around like idiots still unaware of your approach.
From Northgate, you see another mounted goblin ride into view. He has a bow prepared and turns to take a firing position, aiming at the rear of the looted guard barracks. From that area, you hear a man cry out "No, Brutus! You killed Brutus! HELP ME!!!"
Looking left to her companions, Mirela nods indicates she plans to move to the north west. With a sudden spring in her step, Mirela moves forward quickly but still quite quietly.
Sneaking up behind the goblin, Mirela quickly strikes it from behind with her dagger.
Hearing the cry for help, Aziza looks to her companions and whispers. "I think that we'd better hurry if we're to be of assistance to whomever that is yelling." She rushes forward to follow Mirela...
...and from behind the Varisian tries to zap the nearest goblin with an Jolt cantrip.
As they advance, Seldon will move in a pincer movement with Mirela, crouching low and gliding forward, light on his feet. He brings his starknife up ready to strike a killing blow, waiting for the signal.
Seldon swipes at the closest standing goblin, 5-foot stepping or charging if necesary.
Aziza is still sneaking until she casts. . She successfully creeps closer and casts her Jolt at the Green target. The arc of electricity hits the unaware goblin, and he cries out as a curl of smoke rises from his leathery hide.
Mirela also quickly creeps up to Green Goblin, but her knife attack goes awry when the target twists and shouts after being struck by the bolt of energy from the petite sorceress.
Thorn takes Miri's quickened step to do the same.
Stealth Check
Thorn in his normal movement gets to the goblin and slices left to right hoping to down it quickly. The little bugger is likely surprised to hear a tall one quickly come up on it, then the world is falling, and going black...
attack, damage.
Die, Dog, Die - surprise Round- continued
The mighty elf clangs his blade making an awful racket and the goblin hears, turning just in time to take Aziza's bolt, dodge Miri, and take a huge side cut from Thorn that separates his upper half from his lower half. The remains of the creature crumple to the ground.
Gray Goblin whirls and sees the team take down his comrade. He charges forward toward the elf but his slow reactions mean he cannot make a real attack.
The Gold Goblin sees the flash of electricity and reaches around to draw out his shortbow and fires an arrow at Mirela.
The hurried shot lands far short of the Varisian Acrobat ending up harmlessly in the ground.
Barek hears the dog's cries as the goblins butcher it and he drops all pretenses of brewing quiet. " You filthy creatures! You killed a damned good dog! I'll make you pay for that!"
He moves toward the front of the building to avenge the dog's death on the mounted goblins.
Surprise Round:
Tunder continues to sneak (red line)
Stealth
Perception
Round 1
Tunder charges in (or full move to get into or closer to melee)
Waraxe:favorite enemy, hatred, power attack, charge
to hit Damage
Die, Dog, Die - Surprise Round
Barek launches himself forward towards the mounted goblin. As Seldon flanks the combat look for a tactical advantage, Tunder moves at dwarf speed toward the melee where he can be most effective.
End of Surprise Round
Die, Dog, Die - Round 1
The man continues to hide behind the logs near the guardhouse, whimpering.
17 Red Mounted Goblin
16 Aziza
16 Mirela
16 Thorn
12 Gray Goblin
11 Gold Mounted Goblin
11 Barek
8 Seldon
Red Goblin evacuates the melee area, riding back hard through the city gate, before wheeling around.
Seeing an opportunity to lay heavy pressure on the Goblin engaged with Thorn, Mirela takes a few brisk steps and makes a powerful leap, attempting to soar right over the goblin and roll to her feet on his flank.
Threatening the goblin from his flank, Mirela thrusts her dagger at him with lethal force.
Aziza moves forward to stand next to Barek, very much aware of how outclassed she would be if required to take on one of the mounted goblins in melee combat, and relying on her bigger friends to shield her. However she is far from helpless, as the nearest mounted goblin is about to discover as she extends her arm to send an Elemental ray stabbing into him...
Die, Dog, Die- Round 1 - continued
Mirela surprises everyone and shows off her graceful moves by leaping, ducking, and rolling into a flanking position behind the Grey Goblin. The gambit works to perfection as she slides her dagger into his still surprised throat, dropping him before he has a chance to react.
Moving into position where she is a bit more shielded, Aziza releases more of her elemental energy at the Gold Goblin who is readying his bow for another shot. The blast catches him square and he squeals in pain with a charredd spot on his shoulder.
[ooc]And I forgot dear Tunder{/b] again on the turn order. He still slots between [b]Barek and Seldon. He may officially flat me with that axe if I forget again...
Die, Dog, Die - round 1 - continued
Thorn launches himself at the Gold Goblin, his elven sword glittering in the firelight. It snickers down at the goblin rider.
But the goblin rider is too quick and his mount skips sideways avoiding the blade. The rider does quickly spur his mount trying to get free from the elf fighter's melee. The movement does allow Thorn an opening to attack.
The blade leaves a long scratch down the rider's back, but doesn't slay him or knock him from the saddle. As he rides off, he turns and fires an arrow at Thorn
But the missle sails harmlessly past the elf's pointy ear.
Tunder rushes forth, his dwarven waraxe poised to draw blood.
Barek growls as the goblin manages to get away from Thorn and the rest of the group. He charges across the field, zig-zagging to avoid Aziza and Miri and gets right up into the goblin's face.
Seldon's light feet will carry him quickly into the fray, where he takes a swipe at the goblin rider.
Die, Dog, Die - round 1 - continued
Barek and Tunder move quickly into position putting themselves between the mounted bad guys and the softer targets. Just as they are arriving, Seldon flanks around the mounted goblin and drives his star-knife into him. The bow-wielding goblin falls fron the saddle dead.
The mount however, is not injured and turns biting and snapping at the surrounding heroes.
End of Round 1
Die, Dog, Die - round 2
The nobleman comes out from behind the woodpile now that the immediate goblin threat has moved to the other side of the field. He bends down over his dead beast, visibly upset.
17 Red Mounted Goblin
16 Aziza
16 Mirela
16 Thorn
11 Goblin Dog (riderless)
10 Tunder!!!
11 Barek
8 Seldon
The Red Goblin yells some goblin gibberish as he spurs his mount, who rears up before bounding forward:
He then proceeds to Charge at Tunder, trying to ride him down with his long horse-slicer leveled. The dog also rips at the poor dwarf with it's rat-like teeth.
The dogs gnashing teeth miss Tunder but the long goblin pole-arm slices him across the shoulder. The attack slows the momentum of the beast, allowing for a counterstoke later.
Dodging around Mirela to get closer to the remaining goblin rider, Aziza summons up almost the last of her elemental energy and hurls it towards the yrch...
Recognizing Lord Foxglove from who she had met earlier, Mirela waves and blows him a quick kiss for fun. Then Mirela rather unexpectedly takes off northward towards the goblin pressing Tunder.
Much like before, Mirela makes to position herself favorably in the flank. Attempting to roll gracefully underneath his reach, Mirela somersaults and reappears on her feet behind the goblin, opposite Tunder.
Her dagger held with the knife pointed down, Mirela thrusts the knife at the rider quickly and viciously.
Thorn charges the mounted goblin swinging from top to bottom putting more power into the attack.
Elven Court Blade attack with charge and PA,
AC = 12
Die, Dog, Die - Round 2 - continued
Aziza discharges more of her internal energy, leaving only a little in the tank. Her bolt flies over the head of the riding goblin lighting up the night sky as it passes.
After flirting a little more with the local nobleman, Miri pulls another amazing acrobatic maneuver. Somersaulting in a dazzling display, she rolls into flanking position, avoiding an attack by the snapping jaws of the dog, and stabs upward into the rider's exposed back. The dagger drives deep, but the wound is not mortal. The watching nobleman gives a audible cheer as she exhibits her skill on the field.
Thorn's charge attack falls just short of striking the rider who has keeled out of the way following the acrobats surprise attack.
The Goblin Dog now rider-less but still fierce takes a leaping snap at Seldon who killed it's master.
The bite catches hold of the cleric's vestment ripping it, but no damage to his person results.
"Humans jumping around every which way. Worse than elves. Just stay put and kill it." Tunder hacks at the goblin dog.
Waraxe: power attack, flank
to hit Damage
confirm crit Damage
Seldon reels back with a mournful look at his bloodied and tattered cassock, keeping the goblindog at bay with a noncommital bat of his starknife as he tries to determine if it's beyond repair. "Tch. This was my favourite..."
Die, Dog, Die - round 2 - continued
The burly ranger swings his waraxe at the feral mount, the rider attempt to steer the beast out of the way, but hemmed in on many sides, the maneuverability is limited, and the axe splits open the flank of the beast. Staggering but still standing the dog begins to limp away, carrying the wounded rider.
Seldon makes a half-hearted thrust or two at the riderless dog none of which connect.
Barek steps to one side, working with Seldon to divide the poor excuse for a dog. "You mean like this, Tunder?" He lashes out with a quick jab at the beast.
Die, Dog, Die - round 2 - continued
Barek's jab strikes the dog and knocks it reeling ,but the foul beast recovers quickly, only dazed, but still ferocious.
End of Round 2
Round 3
Both rider and mount wounded, Mirela glares at goblin and determines to finish what she started. Withdrawing her dagger, Mirela jabs again at the slumped over goblin.
Round 3
Although she has almost no energy left, Aziza summons up the last of her reserves, sending another jolt of elemental energy flying at the last goblin mounted on the weird dog.
***Round 3***
Thorn not caring for the foul goblin a bit more than the goblin dog, swings once more at the goblin. The goblin is severed in half from the massive blow...
Elven Court Blade attack with PA, .
Confirm critical, , additional damage if critical hits.
Die, Dog, Die - Round 3
The town of Sandpoint lies strangely quiet after this eventful day. Those that saw today as a day of pleaure and promise, were astonished when it turned into a day of pain and death instead. The last goblins have left the town, fires still burn here and there, but an unnerving stillness is taking hold, except near Northgate, where a battle still rages:
17 Red Mounted Goblin (wounded, dog wounded also)
16 Aziza
16 Mirela
16 Thorn
11 Goblin Dog (riderless)
10 Tunder
11 Barek
8 Seldon
Red Goblin has committed to fight to the death and lashes out again at Tunder hoping to slay the hated dwarf and regain freedom of mobility. The long spear-like weapon rises:
And it falls striking the ranger across the left shoulder. As he grimaces in pain, the wounded dog also lashes out at him with his feral teeth.
But the dogs rodent teeth are unable to penetrate the tough leather plates of Tunder's armor.
Just as the rider is stabbing Tunder, Aziza unleashes her last bolt of elemental energy, which sizzles through the air. A horrible stench of burning goblin fills the air as the bolt hits the creature square in his armor, but burns and shocks him nonetheless. The rider slumps in the saddle and slowly falls to the ground, unmoving. The sorceress, now discharged of her fey energy, stumbles dizzily, clearly spent and fading fast.
As the rider falls, Miri's blade (just a simple attack this time, no acrobatics), misses any contact.
Finally lining up his best shot against the riderless dog, Thorn unleashes a deathstroke that severs the beast's neck, killing it instantly.
The remaining dog, still smarting from Barek's punch, continues its assault on Seldon's holy robes. It gnashes its incisors and tries to rend flesh:
Even though the day has been long, and he is bloody and tired, Seldon's natural grace allow him to deftly bend out of the way of the rat-bite. The evasive action, however, means his counterstroke never really gets going and ends up as a meaningless gesture.
Barek swings again at the weird dog-like creature, but his timing is awkward.
Tunder goes over to the remaining goblin dog and swipes at it.
Waraxe: power attack
to hit Damage
"Oh for heaven's sake, will you just roll over and play DEAD already, you ugly mutt!?" Aziza wearily casts her Jolt cantrip at the goblin dog rending Seldon's robes...
Still feeling dizzy from the loss of all of the arcane energy she has expended in the last hour, the small spark of electricity flies off somewhere over Seldon's head rather than hitting the beast.
As if in silent agreement to Aziza's groaning, Seldon's Starknife finally finds its mark.
Die, Dog, Die - round 3 - continued
Tunder continues running around the battlefield hacking at targets, but his axe falls short of the mark this time.
The dog gets another rude surprise, as both Barek's fist and
Seldon's knife hit it at the same time. With a loud yelp, the dog drops to it's knees then falls over, dead.
End of Combat
With the close of hostilities, the nobleman approaches your group, his hand extended in friendship. Amazing!...simply amazing! Especially, you," he says looking at Mirela. "Never have I seen...someone act so...acrobatic, on the battlefield. What a sight...simply amazing!" He looks her up and down nodding as he says it.
I simply must insist you all join me for a late supper at my lodgings in the White Deer. It seems the least I can do to re-pay your heroics." He is speaking to all of you but his eyes are fixed on Miri to the exclusion of the others.
Sliding her dagger back into its sheath, Mirela does a quick curtsy as Lord Foxglove's approaches. With a sly grin, the young varisian speaks with an unlikely measure of confidence and proper etiquette, almost as if she had been raised amongst wealthy aristocrats.
"My lord, such a gracious invitation. I hazard to speak for the others, but I would most certainly be delighted to attend."
Looking quickly over her shoulder towards her new found companions, Miri smiles blithely while shrugging ever so slightly, her body language seemingly begging the question -Why not? What could possibly go wrong?
Aziza goes over to the corpse of the hunting dog, walking right by the nobleman, to check if the hound is truly beyond saving. Finding it dead, she turns to Lord Foxglove, "You should ensure that your hound's body is treated with proper respect. It saved your life by scaring off those goblins long enough for us to intervene." The usual bubbly enthusiasm of the little sorceress is notably absent, as though she has become drained of vital energy.
Nodding back at Miri's shrug and smile, but still looking uncharacteristically grim herself, Aziza then proceeds to use the ferrule of her quarterstaff to make certain the goblins are dead, giving each of them a hard blow to their bulbous heads, before using the staff to poke through their equipment, looking for anything salvageable.
Having just worked up an appetite, Tunder is very willing to go to supper.
Tunder helps Aziza in insuring the goblins and their abominable pets are dispatched and in retrieving any valuables they may have.
The young nobleman smiles his toothy rakish grin at Mirela's acceptance of his invitation to dinner. "Feel free to bring...your friends...it matters not to me. I don't know that I caught...your name earlier. You may remember..I am Aldern...of House Foxglove and it is simply.. enchanting to meet you all." He bows low and stoops to kill Miri's hand if it is offered.
As the bedraggled gnome addresses him, Foxglove says:"Would that you had come a bit earlier, little one... You missed seeing the troop of goblins...absconding with some large ornate box. They came over that ladder there...and ran out the gate." He points back in the direction of the low stone wall that abuts the main town wall. It appears to be about 8 ft high compared to the 15 ft or so of the town wall.
He continues:"You also missed the man..(I assume it was a man)...leading them. He wore dark clothes...and a hooded cloak and carried a bow. He barked out orders to the goblins..who carried the box off out the gate. As I tried to follow...that one riding that rat-thing attacked me. And then you stepped in...and saved me... Amazing!"
"While it truly has been... a pleasure... I must see to my servants and things. Shall we say dinner...in one hour at the White Deer? It has been my distinct...pleasure to meet you...all of you" he adds swiftly at the end looking down into Mirela's eyes again. "Until later, then." And he walks off in his foppish way, his walking stick clicking on the ground ahead of him.
As Aziza and Tunder inspect the goblins fallen in the field here near the gate, they find the following items: 2 leather armor, 2 studded leather, 2 dogslicer daggers, 2 good quality horsechoppers, 2 shortbows with 38 arrows, and 2 crystal vials filled with a shimmering blue liquid.(All goblin weapons and armor are small size and of low to poor quality unless otherwise indicated.)
In their pockets the goblins had all kinds of assorted detritus: a ball of twine, a silver whistle, a birds nest, 2 plain hairpins, and the mashed up remains of a pie. Additionally, each goblin had a totem on a string around their necks. All the fallen goblins near the gate had similar totems. (link copied to Campaign info tab).
Anyone looking at the totem:
This is a representation of an old Thassilonian rune, The Sihedron, but scholars disagree about it's actual meaning. Some say it represents the virtues, others say it has a darker meaning.
OR:
This does not look like any goblin device, letter, or symbol you have ever seen before.
The goblins are all good and dead also, in case you wondered.
Thorn would have also helped Tunder and Aziza with the finishing of the goblins to make sure they were good and dead. Then he would clean his blade on the cloak of one of the goblins, knowing he will be cleaning it more thoroughly later. Looking at the goblins he would have disregarded all except the good quality horsechoppers and shortbows. "Shall I hand onto these horsechoppers and shortbows, or does anyone one want them?"
"Hmmm look at those", Thorn would say to himself when looking at the weapons he would notice the necklace totems... K dungeoneering.