Elisile's arrow passes just above the warchenter's arour and through her throat. With a gurgle she slumps back and, her mount spooked, it scampers away.
"You'll not get Hudak's kin and kith cheaply this day, dogmunchers, by Corm, or I'm a Chellaxian!!!"
Hudak's blow splatters the goblin's brains on the cobbles.
Hudak's blow splatters the goblin's brains on the cobbles.
Hudak's blow splatters the goblin's brains on the cobbles.
"Ha ha ha!!! Sing your little songs now!!! I'll leave your bones for dogs to munch!"
Alwyn stares down at the huge gash the goblin's weapon had left in his leg. "You managed to hit me. Congratulations. Enjoy your little victory while you can - it will be the last thing you'll ever do", he growls at his opponent.
Vethran sighs heavily, seeing no clear avenue to assist and opts to draw his crossbow and load it, just in case.
On Dravite's turn he stabilizes at -4,
As the beast shies away, Larken, now balance and in position, launches a quick rapier attack against it before it gets out of range.
Within seconds both the dwarf and one of the Northerners are on the ground. Illes narrows his eyes and reassesses the threat as he breaks off playing. The Varisian steps up to the center of the street unfurling his whip as he waits for his opportunity to strike.
The goblin's weapon skitters away from its grasp. It blinks in half-witted surprise. Meanwhile, at the back of the fight, Larken skewers the ratty/doggy thing the warchanter was riding in its front flank, and it collapses.
Dravite- 23 (down; bleeding, but stabilises this round at -4 hp)
-Warchanter- 19 (dead)
Larken- 18
Lo'J- 15
Alwyn- 13
-Gobbo Tough- 11 (dead)
-Gobbo footsoldiers- 10 (mostly dead)
Elisile- 7
Hudak, Illes, Vethran- 6
At the last second before Elisile’s arrow reaches the goblin warrior she was aiming at, the small creature senses death approaching it, and ducks! Rather than being a true hit, the arrow ricochets off a piece of metal on the patchwork armour at it’s shoulder, continues on at a different angle, and lodges in the throat of the warchanter instead! An instant later, the goblin that Elisile has actually been aiming for was flattened by Hudak. Elisile shrugs, and searches for her next target.
At the last second before Elisile’s arrow reaches the goblin warrior she was aiming at, the small creature senses death approaching it, and ducks! Rather than being a true hit, the arrow ricochets off a piece of metal on the patchwork armour at it’s shoulder, continues on at a different angle, and lodges in the throat of the warchanter instead! An instant later, the goblin that Elisile has actually been aiming for was flattened by Hudak. Elisile shrugs, and searches for her next target.
Trying to stay cool as the casualties continue to mount on both sides, Larken strikes at one of the remaining goblins, wondering why the little beasts haven't broken and run.
Trying to stay cool as the casualties continue to mount on both sides, Larken strikes at one of the remaining goblins, wondering why the little beasts haven't broken and run.
The goblin gives a little moan and slumps, blood bubbling at its lips.
"Little goblin, on my blade. In a pyre soon be laid. Should have turned, should have run. Now the goblin's life is done," I say, continuing to mock the goblin lyracists.
The goblin gives a delighted little smile as Lo'j sings, seemingly enjoying the tune. It continues to smile as its head bounces down the street, no longer attached to the rest of its body.
As the group rest, breathing heavily from exertion and (in some cases) wounds, it is clear that the crisis is passing. The sounds of battle are few and far between, and concerned locals rush out from the shelter of nearby building to tend the wounded (including Dravite, who is stabilised and taken off to the temple to be given over to the healers).
The cowering nobleman emerges from his shelter behind the barrel, looking shaken but otherwise unharmed, his finery somwhat soiled where he cowered in the muck. "Th - th - thank you," he stammers, "I thought I was done for when they ambushed me in this lane. You showed up just in the nick. I'm Aldern Foxglove," he says, sticking out a hand at a random member of the party.
Larken walks over to his dagger, sticking his sword into each enemy corpse as he passes. He listens to the sound of the town and...
He keeps an eye on the rest of the group and their interactions with the obvious mark, as well as watching for any goblin stragglers.
"Sounds like there're more goblins to kill," he says, and then nodding to Hudak, "Luck with your kin."
He heads off down the street, assuming that the Shoanti and the lawman will watch over the wounded. [ooc] He'll look for another group to link up with, or barring that, he'll try the shadows and see if he can kill a few goblins by stealth.[ooc]
"Good 'morrow, lord Foxglove," I say extending my hand in greeting, than quickly drawing it back to wipe on my breeches. "Sorry, mind the blood sirrah," I add a warm chuckle at the end.
"Seems we spared you the nasty and of the buggard's blades, though we arrived too late to save your canine friend," my eyes grow momentarily distant as I wonder about the fate of Gurney, "though perhaps the priests can save him yet."
"I think it best you be heading to the main square. The sheriff should have it under control, and," pointing back the way we came, "I know the goblins thata way be already washing the cobbles with their blood."
"I hope to share another dinner with you and yours at the mayor's table."
I conclude, thinking to myself who was that guy again? I stoop and wipe the last of the goblin blood from my hands and blade using one of their cloaks.
Larken walks over to his dagger, sticking his sword into each enemy corpse as he passes. He listens to the sound of the town and...
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
So I got hauled off instead of someone here doing the healing? Let me know when I can rejoin the group.
Hudak's delayed adrenaline rush hits him as the battle ends.
He goes over to the wall, leans his head over, and vomits.
When the last of the goblins falls, Vethran relaxes his crossbow's catch and returns it to it's place on his hip strap. He dusts himself off and picks up his quarterstaff, looking around once again to make sure there are no more immediate threats.
Finally, looking to Illes, he smirks. "So much for that, then."
So I got hauled off instead of someone here doing the healing? Let me know when I can rejoin the group.
Hudak's delayed adrenaline rush hits him as the battle ends. He goes over to the wall, leans his head over, and vomits.
As the last opponent stops twitching, Alwyn staggers over to Hudak, heavily favouring his unwounded leg before patting the massive bald-headed Shoanti on the back. "Hey, brother, I toldya we would prevail! Good job cutting those goblins apart - the Lord of Battles will certainly be most pleased tonight. Now get it all out of your system, as more fights will come in the future; after all, life is nought but struggle and conflict. I firmly believe that we'll se more of these contemptible little dweebs in the future, but now we know what to expect from them, and information is half the battle. Keep that sword sharp and ready, and they will never surprise us again!" After a quick look at their impromptou allies, he decides that they will all make it through another night and limps off in search of wounded civilians that are more in need of healing.
As the marshal and the lad drop the last two goblins, Elisile lowers her bow slightly and looks slowly around, looking and listening for more enemies. It seems that things are under control.
The elf looks closely at her new allies. Could this have been what she was sent here for? The goblins seemed to be targetting a temple of (partly) one of the deities Known to her ... it did seem a sign. Were these people who she was supposed to continue her Journey with?
She stands in the street, bow lowered, suddenly looking rather lost ... but feeling also hopeful.
After having a spell cast upon him, Dravite storms out of the temple ignoring the priests' gentle calls to rest. Coming upon the battle scene he sees the party that he fought with. The party that stood he stood with in defense of the innocent. The party that left his bleeding fate to to be tended by some nameless priests. He squints as his original thoughts of the group's moral character changes.
Looking at Alwyn tending a wounded townsman he says "I see that others' lives be meaning more than a fallen ally in trouble, I will be rememberin' that in any future dealings and I be hopin' to repay the sentiment." and he stalks off mumbling to himself and collecting his hook and looking over towards Larken thinking that it is a good idea to help loot the dead.
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"Sorry, dwarf! During battle I feel serene like a leaf floating on a still water. When battle ends, my heart tries to rip out of my chest and my breakfast wants free of my guts. I don't know why this is, but I'll try and patch you up next time, if you want. I thought those godsmen would do better with their magics than I would, vomiting and fumbling. At least I didn't steal your ogrehook. Jingle your pockets, the gold's still there."
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Things calm down in Sandpoint fairly quickly. There were a few fatalities among the townsfolk, but many more goblins fell under the swords of the citizenry. The party members in particular are held as heroes for preventing the goblins destroying the temple, and for saving one of the local nobles. This manifests iteslf in a number of ways - minor freebies (the odd loaf pressed into the hand, flowers, new shoes), a friendly reception from passersby, and attention from the opposite sex (or the same sex - this is Sandpoint, after all, where these things are known to happen).
The temple consecration is completed the day after the attack, in a quiet and much more private ceremony (to which the temple saviours are invited). The players also receive the thanks of the town for their bravery, which comprises (among other things) a gift of 500gp each, paid by public subscription (must mostly from the Foxglove family and the temple coffers).
After a few days to recover, the heroes of the town are summoned to a meeting of in the mayor's office by Sheriff Hemlock. On arrival, you find the Sheriff, Mayor Deverin and a rustic-looking elf woman dressed in travel-stained leather armour and with a bow and sword propped against the table where he sits.
"This is Shalelu Andosana, an "unoffical" member of the town guard," says Hemlock, at which the woman raises an eybrow and smirks. "She keeps tabs on the goblin tribes around here, and she comes into town a few times a year to update us. There's been a lot of goblin activity in the last few days, not just in Sandpoint. Yesterday, a family were nearly killed when goblins burned it down, but Shalelu was able to get them out in time. The goblin problem obviously isn't going away in a hurry. Anyway, Shalelu can give you the details."
“Belor’s told me of your work against the goblins — well done," says the elf laconically. "I’ve dedicated the last several years of my life to keeping them from causing too much trouble around these parts, but they’re tenacious and fecund little runts. Like weeds that bite.
“Anyway, there’s five major goblin tribes in the region, and, traditionally, they’re pretty good at keeping each other in line with intertribal squabbles and the like. Yet from what I’ve been able to piece together, members of all five tribes were involved in the raid on Sandpoint. A fair amount of the Mosswood tribe goblins I dealt with yesterday were already pretty beat up, and there was a lot of chatter about the ‘longshanks’ who killed so many of them. Now that I’ve met you, it seems obvious from their descriptions who they were talking about. Seems like you’ve made an impression.
“In any event, the fact that the five tribes are working together disturbs me. Goblin tribes don’t get along unless they’ve got something big planned, and big plans require big bosses. I’m afraid that someone’s moved in on the goblins and organized them. And judging by these recent raids, what they’re organizing seems like bad news for all of us,” she finishes, glancing at the mayor.
"Exactly," says the Mayor Deverin, her face set in a determined expression. "That's why I've asked Sheriff Hemlock to take a guard contingent and head to Magnimar for reinforcements. In the meantime, Sandpoint will be less defended than it was before. This is where you come in. I'd like to deputise you to keep an eye out for the town while Belor is away."
"Sheriff's deputies, eh? I like the sound of that, especially if it gives us the chance to crack some more goblin heads. Sign me up!"
"Aye, the Rusty Dragon indeed."
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Rusty Dragon sounds good enough.., I don't mind making sure the folk of dis town are safe but what's this job pay? Can't be expectin' me to be payin' all kind o' expenses wit nothin' to cover me losses...
An I don't be expecting ta be gettin' rich, nor am I tryin' to squeeze ye for any extra spare coppers, I jus dinnae wanna be throwin' good coin away without at least breakin' even or so.