Ensu commands one of the locals to get the local clergy to deal with the dead man before also heading the gate, not sure what he can do to help, but feeling he has to at least try to do something.
Sheriff Hemlock claps Pirknok on the shoulder.
***
Ensu is in luck as the sheriff's presence causes a few of the laypriests that were hiding within the cathedral's offices to come out and tend to the dead.
"How many of you can fight?" the sheriff barks.
"Me, the dwarf, the gnome is good enough with that spear, he's a good shot with that crossbow and we've got one more in the cathedral getting some armor on. Several of us are hurt but we've still got some fight in us," the drover squared himself off with the sheriff, refusing to let the man's demeanor get to him. "The doc is brave but he ain't got a decent weapon on him and he's got a wife waiting on him."
One of the Sandpointers speaks up.
"The alchemist makes more than fireworks. He mixed up bombs that blew those goblins into pieces! He can help."
Pirknok waits near the deputy, seeming to chafe at the delay. His eyes move repeatedly in the direction of the screams, and his fists clench and unclench around the haft of his axe.
All but sprinting out of the Cathedral in her haste, Ysme' yells to the others,
Soldiers?" She asks curiously, looking about. Seeing 'Ventus talking with the apparent commander Ysme' strides toward the two of them.
"Now wait, I'm no soldier, or even a healer. Sure, I'm good with explosives, but I don't have my equipment, or any armor. A decent weapon or a Crossbow wouldn't go amiss either. If I can get to my house and retrieve my gear I might be of some use." he says.
The sheriff studies the ruined smoking goblin remains several yards off for a moment.
"If you can do more of what you did here, it'll be worth the lost time", the sheriff says. "You're with us."
Pirknok suddenly gets a stricken look on his face. He steps forward a bit hesitantly, and addresses the sheriff in a quiet, uncertain voice. "N-nishmek*... there's two little'uns en thuh enn's cellur. Kin we... 'ull they be a'right?"
"Sheriff Hemlock, I'm pleased to inform you the Goblin's assault on the Cathedral & the immediate townsfolk has been repelled. Though not without some casualties." Yesmerelda seems to undergo something of an attitude adjustment with the arrival of appropriate civic authority. "Have you seen or heard from Father Zantus? I don't recall speaking with him since some time before the Fireworks..."
At Piknok's mention of children, Ysme turns to him. "You were staying at the White Deer? Were there any other survivors?"
"Chat while you move people, c'mon," Ventus said to the others, his patience wearing thin. He started leading the way, hoping the others would follow him.
"Eli, run and get your gear and no stupid risks, you hear me? That's my job, not the job of a happily married man and pillar of the community. Pirknok, Ysme, we'll have to wait until the invasion is repelled to take stock of casualties," he winced internally at the harshness of his own words but it needed to be said.
The dwarf opens his mouth to respond to Ysmerelda, but is cut off by the ranger. Pirknok glances over at 'Ventus, but ignores him and waits for the sheriff's response and instructions.
"I'm not 'chatting' mister Artemidorus. I'm assessing. As a priest martial of Shelyn responsibility is to Father Zantus, the Cathedral, and the people nearby."
Turning back to Sheriff Hemlock, "No disrespect Sheriff, but if six more sword-arms are going to be the difference between the success & failure of your force turning back the Goblins, Sandpoint is already lost. Militarily, these men would be of greater utility as skirmishers addressing trouble spots within the town."
Doran glares at Ysme for a moment. "Th' city says we're needed. That's enough for me," he says, moving to stand beside Sheriff Hemlock.
"I've no word from Zantus but the priest is a wise man. He'll do what it takes to protect himself and whoever else he can. I'm not worried about him."
"Let's go. We don't have anymore time to waste."
Doran nods, storing the things he is given as they are given to him. "Aye, I'm with you," he says, falling in with the rest of the troops.
Eli runs back inside and with some emotion, kisses Marysin again. "I'm going to go help the Sherriff. Please, if the Goblins come back, you go hide, and don't come out until I come back for you." he says, holding back tears.
He rushes to join the others. On the way to the gate, he stops in at his shop and when he emerges, he has a bandolier of vials, leather armor, and a stout club.
As the group heads north, the tattooed dwarf falls back to walk beside Ysmerelda. He speaks softly, staring ahead into the darkness, but his deep voice carries in the cool night air. "Th'others must'uv bin at thuh festuvul. Rodrick an' Sarah an' their ma... wuzent."
Pirknok's voice becomes strained, but he continues. "Thuh green'uns... they... ah promist Rodrick ah'd fin' his paw."
He stares off into the blackness, silent.
Ensu remains quiet as he follows the others. The lack of an appropriate sized crossbow disappointed him, but his spear seems to be have been moderately useful thus far, and it seemed likely it would be a general melee soon enough anyway. The death of the civilian clearly weighs on his mind, but he tries to shake it off, lest it hamper his ability to continue the fight.
As the troupe of militia and the party arrives at the small square just before Sandpoint's northernmost gate it immediately becomes clear that the goblins are keenly aware of how important this location is. Pouring out of the alleyways and over the rooftops of the nearby buildings, dozens of foul little goblins move to intercept. All bear wicked blades and a sinister gleam in their eyes.
The goblins are a few yards away when the sheriff levels his longsword and directs his men to engage the incoming horde.
"You six. Secure the gate using whatever means necessary. Break the damned thing if you have to but whatever happens don't let them get it open!"
"Weapons at the ready men!"
***
The gate remains closed but it appears a small group of goblins have gotten to the gate mechanism first! There are eight of them in view. Four are furiously scrambling up the massive chain that keeps the gate locked in an attempt to open it with the weight of their bodies. It looks like it's working.
Init
Doran
Ysme
Pirknok
Leader Goblins
Eli
Goblins
Ventus
Ensu
Doran moves to engage, and once he's within 60 ft of the goblins on the gate, he kneels and aims his weapon, firing at one of the ones climbing to reach the top of the chain.
Seeing the Goblins at the gate, Ysme picks up speed as she hefts her Flail, the cyclic swing pulling her toward bloodshed.
Lady I'm sorry, but it seems the time for Diplomacy...
has passed.
Pirknok, taking in the situation at the gate, grasps his axe tightly and charges forward, yelling loudly and trying to avoid any goblins in his way. He stops just short of the gate mechanism, menacing the goblins with his axe.
Doran's bolt finds its mark and the goblin he hits falls to the ground (wounded but not dead).
Pirknok bolts for the gate mechanism (moving surprisingly fast for a dwarf) and quickly finds he has the attention of the goblins there. One of those on the ground points at the shoanti-dwarf and shrieks.
"Get out of here longshank. There's nothing to eat here!"
Another goblin picks up the song you heard the goblins singing earlier and two others level shortbows and fire.
Eli drinks a small vial from his bandolier as the Goblins come into view but before the charge is ordered. As Ysme and Pirknok charge in, he hustles up behind them and lobs his last bomb into the densest concentration of Goblins, careful not to hit his allies.
Both goblins are caught in the blast and howl in pain.
***
The wounded goblin pulls his bow and looses an arrow at Pirknok.
The other three continue tugging and pulling on the chain.
Metal shrieks as the chain shifts another link.
Beyond the wall the sound of countless goblins can be heard chattering in excitement.
Pirknok lets out a bellow of rage as the arrow goes straight through his armor, and swings viciously at the distracted chain-pulling goblin in rage.
***
Doran grunts in pain as the arrow finds its way between the scales of his armor, wedging itself painfully in his body. Growling at the goblin that shot him, Doran gracefully reloads his crossbow in a single swift motion, before shouldering it and training it on another of the goblins attempting to open the gate. He takes a single deliberate step forward to be better heard. "Ya won' be lettin' yer accomplices in, fatheads! Th' law shall not stand f'r it!" he shouts, pulling the trigger of his crossbow.
Inspired by the sudden bardic voice lifted in song, Pirknok steps forward and swings again at the chain-hanging goblin.
Ensu struggles to figure out how to best help, but ultimately, decides that at this point, simply wading in is probably as good as option as any. Charging in after the crazy dwarf, the gnome stops by the raging barbarian and starts to try to distract the foes around him enough to keep them from hitting him.
Ventus runs in as well, applying both his sword to another goblin on the chain.
Eli pulls another vial from his bandolier and advances closer before he hurls it at the singing Goblin, hoping to catch any others in the splash. Unlike his previous attacks, this one hisses and smokes when it hits.
Between Ventus, Pirknok, and Doran the remaining goblins on the chain are knocked off.
One wounded common goblin and the four more well equipped goblins remain.
Using the momentum of her Flail's swing to aid in her attack, Ysme charges the Goblin nearest Piknok.