Ian grins as a stranger rushes in from nowhere to ... rescue him? He isn't sure. Either way, he steps behind Marcus and summons another flash of light to burst in the hobgoblin soldier's eyes.
Daniil moved into the some filed building trying to find those trapped within, "Make some noise so I can find you"
Elyas steps inside the building and looks for the remaining townsfolk as well
He will channel energy to try to help any injured townsfolk to get up and retreat
Olivia will follow Daniil, searching for people inside the building that she can help escape.
Not hesitating for a moment, Sander strikes out at the prone hobgoblin, seeking to inflict a killing blow.
__________
Solace will keep on providing cover fire for those rescuing the trapped townsfolk. I really hope the others can hurry up and rescue whoever is trapped in there. We need to get out of this area as soon as possible...
Solace will fire upon the closest hobgoblin to her.
Composite Longbow +2 st dmg - 1d8 / crit ×3 / range 110 ft. / weight 3 lbs. / type P
Feats for ranged attacks - Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
attack block - 1d20+2dex+1bab(+1 if within 30ft)
damge - 1d8+2(+1if within 30ft)
:: A Rescue at the Phaendar Trading Company ::
With the new arrival, things tip even more in the groups favor. Claustipher's strike plants an injury on the hobgoblin, and Sander kills the downed one.
The hobgoblin still standing does manage to shrug off Ian's spell and dodge Solace's arrow.
Daniil, Olivia, and Elyas all plunge in to the building trying to find people who can't help themselves.
Daniil and Olivia find two coughing figures further back in the store and help guide them out, while Elyas helps guide the two near the door to safety.
The four people they help escape are Nathaniel Ros, Kips Fellowmire, Malcolm Gray, and Dane.
Seeing Ian fighting, his father shouts "Ian! What are you doing?!"
Those of you not fighting the hobgoblin relax enough to have time to look at the dead bodies in the Trading Companies courtyard. Many of them were not hobgoblins, though they all died fighting. Among hte dead hobgoblins are Lauryn Salbiecuis, Corin Barns, Lily Dew-Blossom, Anton Casca, and Nalcine.
"Kalleb, let us check the forge" Lorne says to Kalleb while the rest are busy saving the people in the store "There are more in the forge apparently." Lorne and Kalleb move to the forge door and Kalleb calls out "It is safe to come out, we are holding back the hobgoblins."
"Not until that thing is dealth with" comes a cry from the loft in the forge.
Back by the hobgoblin, Marcus swings his blade again, futilely.
As the fire spreads to the entire rood you hear splintering and creaking and the roof starts to sag.
Enraged at his situation, the hobgoblin attacks Falcon. Missing him. Realizing he's about to be surrounded he steps away.
"What do you mean what am I doing?" shouts Ian back, at once surprised and pleased to see his father. "Where's Ingrid?"
He then steps in, casting another spell, and lunges at the remaining hob with the heat of the desert sun emanating from his fingertips - heatstroke or bust!
Curious as to what that "thing" is, Solace moves closer to the forge's entrance as she shoots another arrow at the pernicious hobgoblin still plaguing them.
Feats for ranged attacks - Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
attack block - 1d20+2dex+1bab(+1 if within 30ft)
damge - 1d8+2(+1if within 30ft)
Daniil exits the building with the rescued townsfolk and tried to usher them along, "Lets keep moving toward Oreld's not time to dawdle. My friends can handle the hobgoblin."
To Ian's dad.
"The boy is doing just fine. He is helping an old man like me and everyone else save those hiding in buring buildings. Now come along and we may live to see answer ."
Looking at the last hobgoblin.
"Oh there still alive."
He flicks the want launching another small dart of energy.
"Whoever is inside, your going to be more dead in there then out here. We don't have time and there may be others that need a hand from this group of young ones."
Falcon Gray lets the moving ends of his staff drop free, whirls the weapon over his head, and drubs the hobgoblin.
”Pa!” he calls out as he sees his father escape from he Trading Company. ”Where’s mama?”
Elyas hears the calls from the forge, and moves closer to investigate. He holds his shield up and longsword ready for whatever it is that is harassing the people inside.
He doesn't take the time at this point to examine the bodies, and doesn't know that his best friend is one of the casualties...
"I hope that is everyone..."
Olivia takes one last glance at the burning building, trying to be sure if no one else is trapped inside. She then follows towards the forge to look inside it.
:: Phaendar Trading Company ::
Sander moves forward to attack the hobgoblin.
Sure no one is left, Olivia moves over to the forge with Elyas.
As Ian moves in and touches the hobgoblin, its face darkens and looks tired as its body sags. The sudden lethargy isn't enough to allow Solace to hit it however her arrow flying high again.
Looking into the forge, Kalleb, Lorne, Olivia and Elyas don't see anything.
"Come out already! We have to go!" Kalleb tells the peopel in the forge.
Falcon's blow weakens the hobgoblin enough for Claustipher's bolt to kill it.
"Falcon! What are you doing here!" Malcom says moving towards him, confused at his sons appearance, his face a mixture of happiness and regret. [b]"The last I saw of you mother and Felix, they were in the Market Green still..." Malcom's voice trails off as he looks over at the Market Green, easily a hundred hobgoblins can be seen in the ring now, with dozens of towns folk tied up on the ground around the obelisk.
In the forge, four people jump from the loft and start running towards the door. As they do a creature made of stone appears out of the ground behind them, roaring a challenge and chasing them even though it only stands four feet tall.
All those at the door can see the fear in the creatures face. As the creature appears in the door way, Claustipher can see that it is a small size earth elemental. Probably here because of the old stone, though where it came from is anyone's guess.
The people running out of the forge are instantly recognizable to you all as Mary Grey, Dimir, Lirosa, and Taidel.
Falcon looks panic-stricken as he searches the Market Green with his frantic gaze. He moves to run in that direction, but his father’s hand on his arm stops him.
”I...I tried to get home. Me and Master Tsumoto got attacked by hobgoblins. They killed him and nearly me, too. It took this long to heal enough to travel. Now they’re here?!”
"Well now that is curious. Don't approach the rock elemental or golem or whatever it is. Sadly I don't speak Terren which I assume is what it speaks."
"Oh.. good to see you all safe. You must join the others in the woods we have at least one more building to check."
Seeing the last hobgoblin still standing Daniil charges toward him and uses his bow as a club and swings at the cretin.
Solace moves up to the front of the forge, trying to figure out what is going on inside it.
"What's going on? Is everyone capable of walking? If so, we need to hurry up and get out of here. It's only a matter of time until we are noticed again."
:: Rallying at the Trading Company ::
"Aye, Falcon. They're here now, and it looks like they brought a small castle with them." Malcolm Gray says. "We can only help our family by living, and to do that we need to get out of here."
Racking his brain, Claustipher can't think of anywhere the earth elemental would have come from. There's shouldn't be any routes deep into the earth nearby, or openings to another place. The only place it could have come from is the obelisk. As for why its here, it obviously likes the old stone of the forge, as its quite afraid. Maybe it was just curious and snuck out. No real way to know for certain though, without asking it.
"We'll stay back, no doubt about that Claustipher." Kalleb says while he and Lorne walk away from the door. Once they stop, Lorne starts helping Kalleb bind his injuries.
Seeing no imminent threat, the earth elemental melts back into the floor.
"Glad to be out of there" Lirosa says "Now, best Taidel and I be off to hunt some hobgoblins. Probably off to the Shrine first to get my amulet."
"Aye, best luck charm I've ever seen." Taidel agrees with her. "You lot can better handle getting these folk to safety than we can, and someone has to fight back."
The two walk over to the trough and grab a quick drink of water while doing a quick inventory of their gear.
In response to Solace's questions, Kining Blondebeard speaks up "It looks like everyone can walk." Looking out over the Market Green she adds, "Best we be headed to the forest by the safest route, probably back the way you came. No use trying to save anyone else, it'll just be harder to feed a larger group, to much hassle."
"Easy for you to say, they saved you Kining." Nathaniel Ros speaks up. "Myself, Malcolm, and Taerus will be able to help protect the others. I don't think anyone else is fit enough though.". With a sigh Nathaniel also adds, "And it looks like everyone will have to stick together from here. No safe way to send them around to the bridge."
Malcolm, Taerus, and Nathaniel quickly put on armor from the hobgolbins. Malcolm has a sling while the other two pick up shields and swords.
Falcon looks on in surprise as his father puts on armour and takes up a sling. Looking around, there’s so much going on that he wasn’t expecting to find when he came home, and he’s feeling very overwhelmed, so he just falls in line behind his father and waits for somebody to tell him what to do.
Olivia sighs, disappointed that her family isn't here, and then approaches Taidel and Lirosa.
"We've been to the shrine already, if this amulet you speak of was there then it is either with us or already stolen by one of the hobgoblins."
Regarding the elemental, getting closer but not close.
"I am not sure what to do about you. Can you understand me?"
He says the same thing in Elven, Goblin, Infernal, Orc and UNdercommon. If there is any response he will tell it to fell there are people here who will destroy it and the forge.
Regardless of the outcome.
"My friends and neighbors. I would like to complete the circuit but it would be the most dangerous of all. Oreld's Fine Shop. Maybe we can just look for a back window.'
"No hunting," says Ian. "I've been trying to say it for a long time now... we should just run." He points at the Market Green, at the hundreds of hobgoblins. "What are we, a bunch of farmers, kids, old men and boys? We should just run. Now, while we still can."
"I've got your amulet, Daniil informed Lirosa as he retrieved the char and returned it to her.
As the combat finishes, Elyas takes a moment to examine the bodies of the villagers that were found, looking for any signs that any of them are still alive.
Assuming he doesn't find any signs of life, he takes a brief moment to offer up a prayer as he kneels beside Corin Barns, his best friend. He suddenly feels the conviction that he has been lacking in his following of Iomedae as he vows vengeance for his fallen friend.
Elyas stands up a little straighter, and grips his longsword a little more surely.
all right everyone, let's move out. Our band is getting larger, we won't stay undetected for long. Let's hit Oreld's shop fast and go meet our friends in the woods. They're going to need us!
He starts moving towards the edge of town, hoping the others will fall in with him.
Sander rejoins the larger group. Overhearing Claustipher, young Ian, and Elyas, he speaks up as well. "I don't intend to make for the forest until we've checked Oreld's. If I go alone, so be it. But, we stick together and we have a better chance. Take what, and who, we can save there and run for the woods." Sander follows Ian's gaze. "But we must move on now."
:: Rally at Phaendar Trading Company ::
A loud, constant creaking noise is coming from the Trading Company shop now and the roof slowly starts to settle, the flames roaring.
"Thank you for bringing this to me!" Lirosa says, a smile lighting up her face as the amulet is handed to her. To Ian, "Well, you lot may be kids, farmers, old men, and boys, but Taidel and I are hunters. We know these woods, we know our bows." Looking around the group again Lirosa continues, "Thinking about it though, we might be more help with you lot than on our own, what do you think Taidel?"
Taidel nods in agreement, "Aye we will see you to the woods at the very least."
As Claustipher tries to speak with the elemental, the creature cocks its head as he speaks in undercommon.
The creature babbles something nearly unintelligible back. Hints of undercommon are in the sentence, but its hard to get more than a word here and there. What you do get out of it is that the creature fled, and is lonely.
Unable to find signs of life in any of the slain townsfolk, Elyas says his prayer. When it is complete, the somber pall lifts a little as the dead look more at peace.
As Elyas begins to walk off, Lirosa and Taidel fall in with him, mutters of getting to hunt coming from them.
Marcus and Kalleb fall in around Claustipher, "We'll be with you and Ian" Marcus says.
Lorne seeks out his daughter and gives her a nod, [b]"Your doing good work here."
"We should stay with these folk, Falcon." Malcolm says to his son.
"Good job getting those two to stay Ian. You probably saved their lives, assuming we get through this." Nathaniel says to Ian.
The rest of the townsfolk look like they want to go, but are hesitant to leave with so many of the warrior types here still.
Ian grumbles. "I know, dad," he says. "It doesn't take a smart person to realize going out after hundreds of murderers by yourself is suicide."
When the group insists on continuing, he shudders momentarily. "Ugh. Fine, I don't want to be alone anyway. Let's get going to the next place."
Falcon nods. ”Okay. Oreld’s sounds good to me.”
"Abangane bami mhlawumbe kufanele uhambe nathi. Angazi ukuthi singakuvikela kanjani kodwa ngiyazi ukuthi ngizobona ukuthi uphephile njengathi sonke. Futhi futhi indoda endala njengami ingasebenzisa okuqinile njenge wena eceleni kwakhe. "
"My friends maybe you should come with us. I do not know what protection we can offer but I do know I will see that you are as safe as the rest of us. Also and old man like me could use a strong one such as yourself at his side."
After a pause, if it seems we are making progress.
"Woza sibe nabanye abangane, abangane kuwe kanye nami, ukunakekela."
"Come we have some more friends, friends to you and I, to look after."
Back to the rest of the group.
"I know you all do not want to continue this search but I cannot live with myself if we leave some behind without trying. I am old and expendable I understand plus my new friend here will help me I am sure."
Anyone can see he does not want to go with diminished numbers but he will do it for those in danger.
"We go to Oreld's," Daniil stated matter of factly to the dissenters. "We all have family and friends we need to find and the we still have a chance to find them if we are quick about it."
"Yes, lets head to Oreld's. I think everyone who can't fight or is too injured should head to the forest now, and it would be nice if a few combatants can escort them there.", she mentions, waiting for volunteers.
Solace sighs at the mention of going to Oreld's. She remembers where the shop is and doesn't like its proximity to the mass of Hobgoblins. Though after going to her own home, she can't voice any complaints about it and will follow the group there with her bow at the ready. (Not that she's been all that accurate with it yet.....)
:: Rallying at the Phaendar Trading Company ::
The elemental looks at Claustipher, and lets out a small grin. It moves forward and follows behind him. "This.... less lonely..." Clausitpher makes out it saying amid other words. The elemental seems to prefer moving by gliding through the earth, and only about two feet of it stick out above the ground.
With Olivia's mention of the wounded guiding the non-combatants, Kalleb speaks up, "Aye, that's probably a good idea. Marcus, Lorne, and I can go with them. But, we will be shadowing your path, its faster to get to the bridge by going past Oreld's from here than by going back around. And this way we can get to the bridge and wait for you to help make sure its open."
"Before we depart, let me give you Erastil's blessing" Lorne says. Lorne mutters a few words and a pulse of energy washes over you, reinvigorating you.
:: Setting off to Oreld's Fine Shop ::
As the two groups move off, the non-combatants and guides taking a wider path, everyone hears a blood curdling roar. Some of you in the group have heard its like before, and the rest of you have heard stories about it. It's the roar of a bugbear losing itself to the thrill of the hunt. The sound of it makes you all move faster.
After a short jog, you come up behind Oreld's Fine Shop.
Through the back window of the shop , you can see a silhouette or two moving. The figures appears to be looking for something.
A few of you feel the hairs raise on the back of your necks, an ominous feeling setting in. You can't quite pin point the source of your discomfort.
Falcon lets the outside sections of his staff hang free. Is there a back door?
Falcon sneaks up to the window, along with the other sneaky people.
Apparently crashing into something in the process.
Ian goes with Falcon, creeping slowly. He has started to feel a pit of panic building in his stomach, and is eager to get out of here as fast as possible. Ian has no intention of facing a bugbear.
Daniil moves up too, sticking to the shadows as much as possible. He winces at the racket the others are making.
Claustipher sticks to the back with the elemental.
"Bamba lapha. Ngicabanga ukuthi awukho kahle ekuthuleni."
"Hold back here. I am guessing you are not good at quiet."
He keeps himself and the elemental, if it listens, back as the others sneak forward.
Olivia will also sneak up to the window, trying to take the lead so she can protect everyone else.
Knowing that she is not the stealthiest of people, Solace will hang back and try to position herself between the group and whichever direction that unsettling noise came from.
A great feeling of unease coming over him, Sander brings his shield up to the ready, moving forward a bit behind the group sneaking ahead. "Prepare yourselves..."
Elyas knows better than to try sneaking up this time, after failing at it the last few times. He stays back, looking for trouble, and draws his sword once more
:: Approaching Oreld's Fine Shop ::
As the group approaches the window, its shutters thrown wide to let the evening air in, they can see three hobgoblins standing in the room. Two of them hold halberds and are armored like the rest of the hobgoblins you've seen in studded leather. The hobgoblin closest to the window has a mace and wears only leather.
As you notice them, they notice you as well. A hobgoblin rifling through something by the window looks up and shouts"Hoone taga inimesed. Kätele!".
Past the hobgoblins, you can see people fallen to the floor with obvious wounds. Who they are you can't tell, but if they aren't already dead they soon will be.
Elyas sees that they have been spotted, but doesn't know what the hobgoblins are saying. He assumes they raised the alarm, so he starts running towards the far side of the building to try to get to a door.
Solace steps over for a better view through the window and tries to fire an arrow at the hobgoblin closest to it.
"Of course there's more damned Hobgoblins in there."
Composite Longbow +2 st dmg - 1d8 / crit ×3 / range 110 ft. / weight 3 lbs. / type P
Feats for ranged attacks - Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
attack block - 1d20+2dex+1bab(+1 if within 30ft)
damge - 1d8+2(+1if within 30ft)
Daniil runs around to the front of the shop.