Izbahn nods to Naomi and proceed to make his way slowly across the rope bridge. While those who do not know him would say the wizard is quite calm, Naomi picks up on the subtle body language which tells her he is absolutely terrified.
Must not look down...must not look down...must NOT LOOK DOWN!
Izbahn also manages to cross the bridge despite being terrified. Those on the Thistletop side of the bridge can now see the stockade more closely. It appears mostly made of driftwood and wood salvaged from wrecked ships. A few nameplates remain affixed to some of the timbers, while others look like they might have once been masts. The most apparent entrance to this place, a pair of wooden doors, hangs slightly ajar.
On the other side of the bridge, Shalelu urges Naomi to go next.
"What the hell..."
He points out the strange sight to the others. "I think we have company..."
"That just isn't right. If they want to eat they should have killed it by now."
Venmirl tries to see if he can tell from where the rocks are being thrown.
Venmirl and the others can tell the rocks are thrown from somewhere on the north west part of the island, probably outside the wooden structure.
With Naomi now safely across, Shalelu unties the rope on her side and ties it to her waist much like Venmirl did earlier . Once she's also across, she unties the rope, coils it and hands it back to Venmirl. "Maybe we'll need it on this side." She whispers.
"Good thinking there, Shalelu."
Izbahn glances at Venmirl, "What do you think, should we pay that gobbie a visit?"
Darst looks confused.
"Darst, go see who is throwing rocks at that poor bird. I'll be a behind you a few steps. You're much more quiet than I am, maybe we can see what it is without being noticed."
Darst nods nervously. The goblin crawls over on the rocks toward where the others are looking.
Izbahn follows behind the goblin and the Shoanti, trying not to step on every dry twig and loose rock...
...yet managing to step on EVERY SINGLE ONE!
Remaining as silent and hidden as possible, the group creeps around the stockade south-west corner to discover who's holding the poor gull captive. They soon spot four goblins playing a rather cruel game. One of them is holding a 30-foot-long twine tied to the bird's leg. The other goblins take turns trying to pelt the gull out of the sky with thrown rocks, while the goblin holding the twine tries to 'help' the gull avoid being hit by tugging and yanking the twine. Four goblin dogs run around the goblins and shriek and yap at the doomed bird.
Perhaps catching scent of the approaching intruders, the 'dogs' lose interest in the bird and turn to yap in the general direction of the adventurers. Drawn away from the game, one of the goblin spots the poorly hidden Izbahn and yells out in warning. "Arrrgghhh! Luggshakkk!"
The goblin who warned the other pulls a bow to shoot Izbahn. The wizard's magical armor deflect the arrow somewhat but not enough to prevent harm. The arrow nicks him on the shoulder Two more goblins jump on the back of nearby goblin dogs while drawing short nasty looking blades. The remaining two goblin dogs charge Izbahn but they get in the way of each other and only one of them has time to bite him before he can react. The mage tries to avoid the filthy creature's but the attack is too sudden. Izbahn yells out in pain and disgust as the oversized rat sinks its teeth in his flesh. . The last goblin, the one holding the string, takes advantage of the fact that his companions are distracted. He reels in the string and catches the gull. He grins and looks at the panicking bird hungrily.
Darst sneaks through the brush towards the enemies.
Izbahn grunts in pain and his voice is tinged with annoyance as he exclaims "Get these things off of me!" He grabs his wand and utters the command word while reaching to touch the goblin in front of him.
stuff
Fort save
Venmirl sees Izbahn get mauled from grotesque "dogs" and swings his morningstar, aiming at the mutt's head.
Darst sneaks through the bushes, getting close to the mounted goblins.
Izbahn is hard-pressed by the goblin dogs. He tries to zap one with the power of his magic wand but the beast jumps out of the way of his electrified hand.
Venmirl comes out of hiding to bash one of the attacking goblin dog right on its ugly nose with his morningstar. It falters but remains in fighting shape.
Naomi's eyes burn with anger as she swings her mace viciously at the goblin dog.
Naomi slams her small mace on one of the beasts' back. It's hurt but it seems more annoyed then truly in pain. Shalelu take a step to her right, to get a better shot at the goblin dog Naomi just attacked. With her usual grace, she pulls on her bow and releases a single arrow toward the animal. Her arrows narrowly misses the creature's head, leaving a long cut as it simply nicks it.
The goblin armed with a bow aims at the newly revealed Venmirl but his shot is wild and the arrow falls harmlessly into the sea. The two mounted goblins urge their wild beasts forward, into the fight. One of them stays back for now but the leading one reaches Venmirl. Mounted, the little humanoid is almost taller then the Shoanti. The inquisitor pushed the goblin's blade aside with his klar but he can't block the simultaneous attack coming from the mount. The goblin dog bites voraciously one of his leg . As for the two riderless 'dogs', one continues to attack Izbahn while the other turns its fury against Venmirl, who wounded it badly. Neither manage to draw blood however. The last remaining goblin swiftly feasts on the poor gull. He first bite the head off, gulping it down almost instantly. After another two quick bites, he then stuffs what's left of the bird into his oversized mouth before finally turning his attention to the fight.
Izbahn grimaces as the combat has gotten way too close for comfort. Still he presses on. Taking advantage of the still active charge on his hand, he attempts to touch the goblin again.
Darst creeps out of the brush and slashes at his target.
Determined to get at least one of the beasts away from Izbahn, Naomi waits for an opening before striking.
Sadly, though her attack is quite accurate, it isn't even as strong as the last one.
Venmirl doesn't like being stuck here, and he doesn't like this goblin riding a dog that is right in his face, so he swings his morningstar at the little beast.
Morningstar: , damage:
Naomi and Izbahn combine their effort to bring down the goblin attacking the wizard. The beast is both zapped and bashed but neither attacks are powerful enough to bring it down.
Darst and Venmirl prove to be more successful. Darst creeps out of the brush and slashes the enemy goblin wielding a bow. He take his enemy completely by surprise and slashes open the other goblin's throat. He tries to gurgle some sort of insult but starts drowning in his own blood before he can do so.
Venmirl attack lacks the finesse of Darst's but is still very effective. As the goblin rider leans forward to attack him again, Venmirl bashes him in the torso with his morningstar. The goblin falls backward, unconscious before he hits the ground behind his mount.
Shalelu pulls yet another arrow from her quiver and tries to finish up the goblin dog that Izbahn and Naomi are attacking. Her first shot hits the weaken 'dog' in the neck, killing it instantly. Her second shot is just as precise but the arrow doesn't penetrate the second creature's hide as deeply.
The two goblin dog next to Venmirl continue to attack the inquisitor, despite having lost a rider. Venmirl can't react fast enough to avoid all the ravenous bites . The feasting goblin stops chewing his bird for a moment. He locks eyes with Darst, draws his dog slicer and attacks his savagely. His clumsy attack is easily dodged by the faster goblin. The remaining goblin yells out "Elfy is mine!" and tries to ride past the adventurers to reach Shalelu.
"We'll see about that!" Naomi says as she swings her mace at the goblin rider's small frame.
Naomi swings her mace at the goblin rider's small frame but he ducks under her weapon.
Izbahn also tries to hit the goblin riding by but his reaction is too slow and his club misses badly, hitting only air behind his intended target.
While the Shoanti come closer to hitting the goblin then his two fellow adventurers, the reckless rider somehow manages to reach Shalelu unscathed. The elf avoids the mount's furious bite but the goblin's crude blade leaves a small cut through her leather jerkin .
As the goblin rides by trying to get to Shalelu, Venmirl swings his weapon.
Morningstar: , damage:
Morningstar: , damage:
Darst tumbles around the goblin and slashes with his razor.
Izbahn activates the wand and attempts to touch the goblin rider next to Shalelu
"Sorry I let the little cretin get close, Shalelu." Naomi says tot he ranger as she attacks the goblin that got past her.
Venmirl moves behind the goblin that rode by him and, with one mighty blow, smashes the small humanoid's head.
Darst tumbles around the goblin and slashes with his razor. The move isn't quick enough to completely surprise the enemy goblin and thus Darst can't strike any vital area. He leaves only a minor wound.
Once again calling on the power of his iron wand, Izbahn electrifies is hand and releases the charge into the goblin dog. The smell of ozone and charred flesh fills the air as the beast howls in pain. Naomi also attacks the goblin dog but she can't score any solid hits.
"No harm done, friend." The elf responds to the priestess, as she draws a short stabbing sword with her free hand. Sadly she isn't as skilled with a sword then with a bow and she misses.
The lone goblin remaining slashes at the tumbling Darst but with little success. "Ugh Jayel!"* He yells at his fellow goblin.
To the south, three goblin dogs continue to fight, despite losing their riders. Both Shalelu and Venmirl manage to avoid harm, but Izbahn gets mauled again. The pain is horrible but the wizard barely remains conscious.
Suddenly, a cry is heard from the watchtower above the adventurers. "Lugshakk! Lugshakk! Waller!"**
**"Longshanks! Longshanks! Alert!"
"OUCH..."
Taking a step back to make sure she can cast the spell safely, Naomi reaches out and quickly traces a rune on Izbahn's shoulder, healing his wounds just shy of all the way.
Izbahn gasps as the healing energy flows into his body.
"Thanks, Naomi love!"
He glances up with an alrmed look on his face, "They are sounding the alarm! We have to hurry!" he exclaims even as he reaches to touch the goblin dog in front of him.
Darst leaps over and strikes again.
After getting healed by Naomi, Izbahn zaps a goblin dog again but the magic proves to be slighty less powerful then last time. The beast remains in fighting form for now.
To the north, Darst continues jumping around his opponent but fails to cut him this time.
Shalelu stabs the goblin dog distracted by Venmirl and Izbahn's electrified hand. It bleeds heavily and falls to its side, unconscious and dying.
Venmirl swings his morningstar, trying to fall another goblin dog.
Morningstar: , damage:
Venmirl lands a blow on the goblin dog's body but it lacks the strength to bring it down.
The goblin dogs continue their ferocious attacks. Venmirl blocks the goblin dog attack and then push him backward. The other beast can't pierce Izbahn's magical protection. To the north, the enemy goblin continues his somewhat futile campaign again Darst. His dogslicer only slices air. Up in the nearby tower, another goblin shows himself, with a small bow in hand. He shoots an arrow at Venmirl but misses badly.