DM Tel's Rise of the Runelords

Game Master XCountry DM

I'd rather not give a perception check for the chowder eating goblin. Korum is rather focused on his own battle.

Korum roars in fury and swings his dorn-dergar with all his might.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Dammit!!!

In a fury at his inability to strike the vicious creature, Korum throws his weapon to the ground and steps closer, raising his gauntlets.

5-foot step next to the goblin.

Tuck snatches up a random weapon from the table beside him and steps forward to swing it at the goblin.

Attack with Greataxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

We are, each of us, cursed.

Sorry. Busy weekend.

Weejon is so horrified by his failure to help the little girl that for a second he wasn't sure what to do. Then his resolve returns and he steps over the girl's body to confront the goblin on the opposite side from Korum.

"Desna will punish you for your crimes." he says with grim satisfaction and swings the club.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Tulip blanches at what happened to the girl and, seeing the way the large men are having little effect on the goblin, isn't sure there's much point to getting more involved. But she sees little choice; a goblin might come after her next.

Move to D26.
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Yay! Confirm critical: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 2d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 1) + (1) = 3

Korum attacks the goblin once again but the goblin easily leans away from the attack, grinning at the dwarf with a mouthful of wicked teeth. Weejon steps up on the other end of the goblin and attacks as well, but his club only smashes uselessly to the ground next to the creature.

Tulip rushes up and stabs forward with her dagger, successfully scoring a hit on its right shoulder. The goblins turns to glare at her, spitting out words in its language.

The goblin strikes with his dogslicer.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The goblin's swipe goes wild as he stumbles on the dead girl's hand at its feet.

Meanwhile, the goblin standing on the tables of weapons laughs in a high pitched voice at Tuck's attack as he stoops down and grabs another weapon, thrusting at the half-orc with a short sword.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The sword stabs the air to Tuck's left, leaving him unmarked.

At the nearby table, the goblin eating out of the chowder looks up and observes the fight between Tuck and its fellow. Grinning wickedly, it eats a little more and then straining hard picks up a black pot of chowder.

Round 4: Initiative order: Korum, Tuck, Weejon, Tulip, Goblins.

Not even fully aware of the halfling's successful attack, Korum reaches out to grab hold of the goblin.

Grapple Attempt (Korum will earn an AoO): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Tuck lifts the greataxe and swings it again, dreading the impact even as he puts all his strength behind the swing.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

The goblin takes advantage of the opening Korum gives as the dwarf steps forward and strikes with his dogslicer.

Attack of Opportunity: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The dogslicer just glances off Korum's armor, however, and a moment later the goblin finds himself struggling to break free from the grapple.

Tuck's blow strikes the goblin under the left arm and shears through bone and flesh, sending the left shoulder and head flying in a spray of gore.

Weejon and then Tulip are up.

Weejon admired both the halfling for her unexpected skill and the dwarf for his clever tactic of grabbing hold of the goblin. As the dwarf and the goblin back to struggle over control of each other, Weejon raised his club and swung it in an effort to strike the goblin.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Tulip takes advantage of the opening the guardman created by darting forward with the dagger.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

At the last instant, she realized that Korum was in the way and pulled her thrust back to avoid hitting him.

Weejon and Tulip both advance their attacks but the advantage Korum gave them with the grapple also works against them as struggle grows more violent.

The goblin tries to pull away from the grapple.

Grapple Check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

It fails, however, unable to pull free from Korum's strong hands.

The goblin carrying the large pot of chowder reaches the end of the table its on and tries to hop to the next.

Acrobatic: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

It lands on the table with the weapons, wobbles a little and then continues moving forward, grinning with sharp toothed glee.

In the distance there are still screams though the square itself is almost completely empty, with only the occasional brief appearance of a guard running off down one of the nearby streets. A new cause for alarm reaches the defenders, however; the smell of smoke and a telltale glimmer of red in the skies above the buildings.

Round 5 Initiative order: Korum, Tuck, Weejon, Tulip, Goblins (2 remaining).

"What are you waiting for?" Korum says, gritting his teeth as he holds the goblin and tries to punch it with his gauntleted fists. "Kill it!"

Grapple check (and Damage): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Hmm, for damage is a crit still a crit? Just in case it is, this is to confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Korum's gauntleted fist struck the goblin's head with such great force that the punch left it a shattered red ruin and the creature immediately slumped in his hold, dead.

Tuck stares at the headless body of the goblin with horror. He'd never considered killing a creature, much less done so. There were times when he'd been angry and wanted to fight, to cause harm but to destroy another? He wasn't sure which disturbed him worse; the act he'd committed, or the brief moment of satisfaction he'd felt when the axe struck the creature.

Delay for now.

Weejon nods in satisfaction at the goblin's death.

"Well fought, friend Dwarf. Are you wounded? I would be happy to lend you some assistance with any harm you've taken."

He turns to look at the halfling. "And you! Quite a little girl to act with such bravery. Desna bless you."

Delay.

Tulip rolls her eyes at the priest's words. Humans were so blind.

"Are you daft, priest? There's another goblin over there! And the city is on fire! What are you waiting for?"

She hurries over to where the last goblin is approaching Tuck, dagger clutched in her hand.

Double move to F18.

Just to ease things along a little...

Weejon sees no signs of injury in either Korum or Tulip, though the halfling quickly dashes off to aid Tuck.

The goblin approaching the half-orc stops just a few feet away and with a grunt hurtles the contents of the pot at Tuck.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 4 = 10

Fortunately, the weight of the pot combined with a well crafted quarterstaff under the goblin's foot puts the creature off balance and both the pot and its steaming contents miss Tuck entirely, landing on the flagstones a few feet away.

Round 4
Initiative Order: Tuck (Delayed), Weejon (Delayed), Korum, Tulip, Goblin.

Tuck looks up with surprise as the chowder gets hurled at him. "Stop that!" he says irritably and swipes halfheartedly at the goblin with his axe.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Caught off guard by the sharp tone of the small girl with the dagger, Weejon stares after her for a moment. "You shouldn't be out here, child. Why haven't you gone back to the cathedral with the others?"

He follows after her, stopping at F19.

"I'm not a little girl, fat man!" Tulip shouts back.

Korum throws the goblin's corpse to the ground. "I'm not wounded, but that was not well fought. Are there others? What is this about fire?"

He spends the rest of the round to take a look around. Perception Check: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Korum's examination of the scene reveals that the square in front of the cathedral is relatively quiet. The sounds of the goblin song are coming from the south (Down on the map) and there's more shouting off in the distance to the north, punctuated with a few shrill screams. Most of Sandpoint's populace has fled, many into the cathedral where a guard and Father Zantus are keeping watch on the front door or into their homes and shops. Except for the remaining goblin, this particular area is calm but there are signs of fire to the west, north and south.

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Tulip hurries closes the distance move to just south of the goblin and stabs with her dagger.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Tulip's thrust with the dagger strikes the table top, splintering the wood.

The goblin growls with disgust at the spilled contents of the pot and glares at Tuck. Then it takes a small Diagonal on the large table step back, stoops and picks up a long dagger, throwing it at Tulip.

Range Attack with Dagger: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The dagger sails uselessly over Tulips head.

Korum's examination of the scene reveals that the square in front of the cathedral is relatively quiet. The sounds of the goblin song are coming from the south (Down on the map) and there's more shouting off in the distance to the north, punctuated with a few shrill screams. Most of Sandpoint's populace has fled, many into the cathedral where a guard and Father Zantus are keeping watch on the front door or into their homes and shops. Except for the remaining goblin, this particular area is calm but there are signs of fire to the west, north and south.

Round 5
Initiative Order: Tuck, Weejon, Korum, Tulip, Goblin.

The goblin's attack on Tulip made Tuck forget about his squeamishness over killing the first goblin.

"Leave her alone!" He shouts, his voice losing its timid, querilous quality in favor of a tone both stronger and deeper. He jumps up on the table and moves after the goblin.

Acrobatic: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Kicking the weapons aside as he moves closer, Tuck grips his axe hard in both hands and brings it down on the goblin's head.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Tuck's axe cleaves straight through the goblin's skull and deep into its torso, sending the corpse into a death spasm that slides it off the greataxe and topple to the ground.

This part of the combat is over but there's more for you to deal with if you wish so we'll stay in combat rounds for the moment. Weejon is up.

Weejon moves forward to Tuck. "Are you all right, lad? You've fought well, killing two goblins where three of us were hard pressed against one." He reaches out to touch the young man but stops, uncertain of the other's control.

Korum retrieves his dorn dergar and calls out to the others. "Are you three well? The fight is not yet done."

Move to where he dropped his weapon and move action to pick up.

Tulip's attention is on Tuck. "Tuck, thank you. You helped me again."

I just remembered that talking is a free action and doesn't need to be saved for our round.

Tuck looks down at the bloodied axe in his hands. "I killed them. Both of them. I didn't..." He meant to say he didn't mean to but that wasn't true. That was exactly what he'd meant to do.

He turns to look at Tulip. "I don't know why I did that." Tears stand out in his eyes.

Weejon does touch the boy's shoulder then. "You did what you had to do, lad. Nothing more, nothing less. You defended the town." He looks at the next table over and understanding blooms in his thoughts. "I remember you. You served me some of that spicy fish. You're a brave lad and you've nothing to be ashamed of. Goblin's live for slaughter and torment and they would have happily cut you up if they could have."

Tulip moves closer to smile at Tuck. "The fat man's right, Tuck. You're good with that axe and that's something to be thankful for. If you weren't, you might be dead now and that's no good to anyone."

She holds out her hand. "Come on now. Others still need our help."

Tuck blinks and the tears fall from his eyes. Then he nods and takes Tulip's hand, though he doesn't need her help getting down.

"What...where do we go next?" He lets Tulip's hand go and wipes at his hand. "Where did they come from? And who are you?" The last he directs at Weejon.

Weejon moves around the corner and claps the man on the shoulder. "That's the spirit! I'm Weejon Umber, faithful of Desna. And your name is Tuck? And who are you, little girl? Should we get you to your mother?"

Korum crosses the square to meet up with the rest of them. "That's no girl, cleric. It's a halfling, and a troublesome one at that." At Tulip's glare, he pulls at his beard. "But you were good at the knife and right now we need all the help we can get. Are you good for it, Tuck? The town has been overrun by the looks of it. I've got a ken to silence all that bloody singing and after seeing your work I'd like you at my side."

Tulip lifts her knife, the knuckles of her hand white. "I told you, I'm not a --" But Korum's arrival stopped her. Looking suspiciously at him, she snatches up two more daggers from the table, tucking them both into her belt.

"You're not going without me." She says, firmly.

As the four discuss the situation there's suddenly a shout and a large roar. To the south a large gout of flame appears and faintly there's the sound of goblins laughing and singing together.

Father Zantus hurries up from behind the group. "By the gods, they're going to set the whole town on fire. They need to be stopped. I just had a runner from Sheriff Hemlock; he and most of his men are fighting a large force of goblins near the north gate of town. They're not going to be able to break away from that. Can you help? Korum, Weejon?"

From where each of you stand, you can see the fire flaming from what appears to be a wagon, about 90 ft away. I've sent out an updated map showing the rough position. It'll be updated again as you get closer, should you choose to help.

Round 6

Initiative Order: Tuck, Weejon, Korum, Tulip.

Tuck looks uncertainly at the priest and back to Tulip. "I--I'll help."

Assuming everyone else is planning to help, he'll do a double move to 42F.

Weejon nods.

"We'll do what's necessary to deal with the attackers." He clasps hands with Zantus. "Give us your blessing, my friend."

With a look to Tuck, he smiles. "Good man, Tuck. Let's go."

Then he hurries forward, club in his hand.

Double move to 40H. I like the new map, by the way.

Korum lifts his weapon and grins through bared teeth. "This is the part of the job I like." He hurries off without another word.

Move to 36I.

Tulip twirls her dagger in her hand and smiles grimly. "Desperate times...you won't be alone, Tuck. But wait up!"

Double move to...35H.

If it's not too late, I'd like to amend Tuck's movement to stop at 40K. It doesn't make any sense for him to hurry too far ahead.

After assuring Father Zantus of their determination to help, the group heads across the square to the other tables and tents set up by merchants to display their wares for the festival. As they get closer to the fire they can see that the source of the fire is a wagon heaped high with logs, likely for the bonfire planned to end the festival.

Round 7

Initiative Order: Tuck, Weejon, Korum, Tulip, goblins.

Perception Check: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Tuck looks back to see that both the dwarf and the halfling are moving a little more slowly. He glances ahead and sees nothing but decides to move a little closer without, hopefully, exposing himself to anyone who may be watching.

Move to 44L. Ready action to attack if a goblin comes into view.

Weejon makes his best effort to move quietly after Tuck.

Move to 43J.
Stealth Check: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14

Korum continues moving forward, taking the lead.

Double Move to 43G.

Tulip is just trying to keep up.

Double move to 42J.

The party moves forward, taking positions closer to the source of the fire. One of the goblins who standing in front of the bonfire looks up, ears twitching. It turns and looks toward the tents but doesn't see anything. Nevertheless, it lifts a burning brand and takes a step closer to the tents, nostrils flaring and ears twitching wildly.

Not far away, each of the party can hear a cracked voice singing something. Weejon recognizes it as the same song he'd heard earlier.

Round 8

Initiative Order: Tuck, Weejon, Korum, Tulip, goblins.

Tuck looks around for Korum, hoping to follow him into battle.

Delay until after Korum acts.

Weejon will delay as well.