| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Round: 3 Goblin Tally: 2/8 Map: HERE
The clamour of blades and song and shrieks echoes through the streets. You see a goblin launch himself from the rooftops, only to shatter his neck on the cobbles below. Another runs through the streets, his armor aflame, as another Goblin runs after him, yelping apologetically.
Seeing only a single goblin left, Lohrgan lets his axe drop and draws a throwing hatchet from his belt, then lets it fly, his rage subsiding.
Frowning at the goblin still standing, Valeria side-steps and then opens fire with her crossbow, seeking to end its miserable little life.
The bolt sends ripples through his tiny body as the creature's large bulbous head bounces off the floor. The last of the goblins is felled! You take a minute or two to catch your breath. A few of the goblins lurk on the edge of the square, trying to scavange food, but at the sight of your weapons they flee south into the blades of the waiting militiamen, who quickly set about dousing the fire. Just as each of you begins to think the fight has ended, you hear a cry for help from the north!
Round: Surprise Round! Enemies: 5/5 (+1 mount) Map HERE
You rush northward, to the sound of the scream, reaching the White Deer Inn and the northern gate. A cry for help comes from behind a wagon, along with the frantic sounds of a panicking horse, and you see a goblin, mounted on a horrible, rat like creature land the killing blow on a fine hunting dog, while four Goblins cower behind him, eyes wide with terror.
You have the drop on the beasts this time! You each may act in the surprise round as you wish, taking a single action.
[ooc]Goblins
Commando/Mount
Stranger
Initiative Order (Surprise Round):
Akrem
Qualin
Lorghan
zavac
Mounted Goblin (M)
Valeria
Rohan
Boiko
Stranger
Akrem takes a step to the north, making sure the wagon isn't in the way of his shot. He lines up on the goblin on the rat-dog, and fires.
Qualin will quickly attempt to retrieve his daggers...
Perception
Having gotten the drop on this back of maniacs Qualin darts to the building for cover, hoping to catch any who charge toward his new companions unaware...
Stealth:
Rohan takes the chance to cast a defensive spell for the upcoming battle.
Rohan and Lorghan if you'd like to adjust your actions that's fine with me.
The arrow shreds through the mounted goblin's ear as he howls in pain, wheeling around on his mount and pulling back with surprising speed, leaving his weapon lodged in the ground. He barks an order in goblin and the others start to attention, throwing their panicky eyes everywhere for the threat.
Valeria makes for the cover of the wagon, crossbow at the ready.
The frightened man tries to calm his panicking horse, frantically tugging at the reins.
Round: One Enemies: 6/6 New Map: HERE
New Initiative Order:
Akrem
Goblins I, II, III
Qualin
Lorghan
Zavac
Mounted Goblin (M)
Valeria
Rohan
Boiko
Stranger
Goblin IV
Akrem lines up another shot on the lead goblin, but he pulls slighly to the left when firing. Fearing the shot would miss, the young man decides it might be best to put a little more distance between himself and his potential target.
As Akrem's arrow wheels past, three of the creatures turn, charging out to meet you while their comrade scans the rooftops, slack-jawed.
Goblin's I and III will move to flank Lorghan, while Goblin II will charge Zavac.
The Goblins round the corner, but Lorghan's axe comes out to meet him, striking an unfortunate goblin between the eyes, while his comrade leaps back in surprise, his blade flying wild. Another rushes at Zavac, who barely manages to deflect the creatures frenzied charge.
Lohrgan sneers as the goblins blade rattles against his shield. With a low growl he pries the blade of his axe from the corpse of the wretch to his right, then he brings his weapon to bear against the creature standing before him.
Qualin will move out of hiding and go after one of the goblins attacking Lohrgan. If he can move into a flanking position he will, even if it provokes an AoO.
Weaving around the Goblin's strike, Qualin brings his cane down hard across the Goblin's head. The creature crumples beneath him.
With a roar, the half-orc leaps on the unnasuming creature, cleaving its head from its shoulders. The mounted goblin wheels around, taking a shot at Lorghan with his shortbow, but the shot buries itself into his shield.
Boiko moves in towards the others, but seeing the goblins falling down left and right, continues towards the stranger with a horse.
Rohan raises his spear and charges the mounted goblin.
Zavac takes two swipes at his aggressor, who flails his crude blade madly. A flash of surprise washes over the elves face as his strikes are deflected.
The mounted goblin lashes fiercly at the reins, charging at Lorghan with a manic look in his eye. Grabbing his horsechopper embeddedin the ground, he makes a charge attack at the half-orc, leaving a large gash under his eye
Valeria looses another crossbow bolt, whizzing over the creatures head and striking the wagon on the far side of the street, barely missing the finely dressed stranger.
"Confounded animal!" The man yells, as he tosses the reins up into the air, and the horse bolts, leaping over the crates and nearly bowling over the mounted goblin, who turns in fright, slashing fiercly at the frightened mare.
For now, Qualin and Lorghan both threaten the mounted goblin (who takes a -2 penalty to AC for charging) and Zavac and (if she dons a melee weapon) Valeria threaten Goblin II.
Akrem moves forward and takes a shot at the closest goblin who he can get a clear shot to.
Rohan lunges forward, running Goblin II through with his spear. Akrem dashes forward, burying an arrow into the mounted goblin's heart. Lorghan buries his axe between the hideous rat-like creatures eyes, felling the foul thing.
The man emerges from hiding, a man Qualin should recognise right away. Ashen faced he lowers his sturdy cane as he sees the goblin's felled. His fine clothes askew, he throws his arms wide and bows low, thanking you profusely, moving out into the square to shake your hands, only passing a sidelong glance at his once-fine hunting dog.
"Qualin! Bloody good timing, that was, old friend!" he says, clasping his hand and pulling him into an embrace. "I was nearly on a one way trip to the Boneyard." he adds, soberingly. He casts his eyes across each of you, eyes settling on Valeria, and he gives Qualin a few nudges with his elbow and a meaningful look.
"Aldern Foxglove, forever at your service."
"Name's Rohan." The sorceror says to the group while wiping the goblin blood off his spear.
"Foxglove! By the gods man, if you'd shown up like you told me we'd be passed out drunk by now, not filthy and sweating." Qualin exclaims, slapping the man's back in the embrace.
"I'd introduce you to my friends here, but other than their bravery in answering the call of battle when needed, I'm afraid I don't know much about them." At Rohan's self introduction Qualin gives a bow, "I am Qualin Lyir, once a son of Magnimar, and now an explorer of the world at large." He notes his friends eyeing of the lass and tries hard not to roll eyes. Ever the eye for the ladies ol' Fox. He thinks to himself, recalling past conquests and competition with his old friend.
Boiko strolls towards the frightened horse, and intones a soothing melody to calm it down .
He takes its reins and leads it towards the nobleman.
Here's your horse, my lord. Boiko Mitrich, a travelling priest of the Lady of Graces, at your service. I've come to pay respects to the Lady in the famed Sandpoint Cathedral, but all this bloodshed on the consecration day... This doesn't bode well, I'm afraid it must be an ill omen of things to come.
Akrem nods curtly to Aldern, "Akrem Viskalai. Glad to see you are ok."
"Lohrgan," the half-orc explains simply as he sheathes his weapons and begins picking through the goblins. "Does this happen often?" he asks Akrem with a grim frown.
Akrem seems distant while the others chat, continually scanning the streets for more threats. When Lohrgan addresses him, it snaps him back to the current situation, "Uh, no. Sure, the goblins cause problems every once in a while, but nothing of this scale."
The young man turns to Aldern while putting away his bow, "Akrem Viskalai, sir. I'm pleased to see you are alright." He turns and helps the half-orc with the bodies.
"I was worried I'd miss all the excitement!" the man says breathlessly. "Still, I gave one of the little devil's the ol' what-for! Let loose the boxing champion of the Academae, eh?" he says, accompanied with a swipe of his cane and a wide-eyed grin and a sideways glance to Valeria.
Aldern's eyes glaze over momentarily as he's handed the reins. He seems to have forgotten all about the creature. "Oh... Thank you. Thank you."
"I've a suite at the Rusty Dragon. Please, find me there and I'll reward you fine folks properly. At the very least I owe you a meal." he says, amiably, enthusiastically shaking your hands and giving Valeria a courtly bow. He watches, nervously, as the creatures flee north in droves, chased by a number of guardsman, militiamen and the townsfolk themselves. "I'd best get this poor girl seen to" he says, leading his horse away into the growing crowd.
A concerned looking Shoanti man rushes from the open door of the inn, his weapon dropping to the ground as he clasps Akrem roughly by the shoulders and pulling him close, grabbing him roughly by the cheeks. "Miwata gnaye ciks! Tuktel hayu niye? Thank the gods you are unharmed."
Akrem jumps a bit as his father jumps him from behind,"Father, please calm down. I'm fine. I was watching the ceremony when the goblins attacked and I couldn't just stand by. Are alright?"
Akrem looks around to the others, a flush of embarrassment coloring his face.
"Yes. They are unharmed, if a little overworked. Where have you been all morning? Need I remind you of your responsibilities?" he says, before his face softens. "How many goblins did you fell?" he asks, with the closest you've ever seen to a grin twitching on his face.
" I am sorry. It took me longer than normal to bring the deer back from the hunt this morning, and by the time I get here the festival was in full swing. I couldn't resist. I killed three goblins, I believe, including that one there," he says, indicating the one that had been riding the goblin dog, "I am not entirely sure, though. I'm afraid the tension of the battle was getting to me a bit.", he says in a lowered tone.
"Father, these brave men helped defend the town from the goblins." Turning to the others, Akrem says "We owe you our thanks, my friends, as does the rest of our town. I am Akrem Viskalai, and this is my father, Garridan, owner of the White Deer Inn.", indicating the large, nearby building.
Rohan introduces himself to the older shoanti man. "We should go see how the rest of the town is faring." He says looking around.
Akrem nods in agreement with Rohan's statement. He turns back to his father."Father, these men may need my help if there are any more goblins left in the city. I will go with them to make sure no one else is in danger, then return to help with the clean up."
Boiko stands slightly aside not to interrupt the family reunion. When Rohan expresses his concerns, Boiko motions in the general direction of 'The Rusty Dragon' before stopping and looking back to see if his companions follow him.
The creatures hurl themselves from towering cliffs, scutter under houses and drown in the Varisian Gulf to escape capture. Few townsfolk, it seems, were killed in the attack, no doubt thanks to your timely intervention, and the clergy quickly tend to the wounded. The cleanup is grim work, and a silence hangs in the low afternoon light. You and a few local hands pile the bodies high onto a wagon, but as you wheel it to the Chapel's boneyard, the Sherrif stops you.
"My men will deal with the burial." the Sherrif says, plainly. "This is, after all, a festival. The bonfire starts at sunset."