With the villagers safe Daniil goes over to the fallen bugbear and begins to search it. He advises the villagers, 'Gather yourselves and lets get moving."
"To the bridge, then...", Olivia mutters with a sad voice. "...Mother, sister...", she clutches her bardiche and speeds up her steps.
:: Regrouping at the Bugbear ::
"We are mostly together still." Lorne says of the townsfolks condition. "Everyone gather round, I shall try to grant us extra strength for the trials to come."
As everyone gathers, Lorne says a prayer to Erastil and everyone feels more alive.
On the bugbear, Daniil finds:
leather armor
light wooden shield
morningstar
3 javelins
36 gp
onyx torc
Feeling better, the group seems to let out a collective sigh. The townsfolk steel themselves for what is to come. The bridge is guarded and must be crossed.
:: Trip to the Bridge ::
Moving along the river, the trip to the bridge takes little time. You can hear the sounds of fighting dying off and more cheers can be heard drifting on the air.
As you approach the bridge, Olivia points out movement in the forest to the north east across the bridge. She can see the townsfolk you rescued at the Taproot and the Shrine have made it there already and are waiting to see if more people get out.
:: The Phaendar Bridge ::
Colorful gobs of lichen and moss dapple the ancient, basalt bridge here at the Marideth’s narrowest crossing. The only things marring the bridges majesty are the scaffolding under it keeping supported and the enemy standing upon it.
The ravine below the bridge drops twenty feet into raging whitewater and jagged, exposed boulders. To the northwest of the bridge stands a ramshackle shed and a weathered but sturdy-looking wooden crane. Twentysome bloody and motionless bodies litter the ground though none you recognize as having seen earlier tonight. Above them flap banners painted with an ominous, fanged red shield. To the north, three hundred feet past the bridge, a wall of trees and ferns marks the edge of the Fangwood. Knowing they are there, you can see those who have already made it to safety keeping watch.
The doors of the shed across the road from you have been battered in, and you can see three hobgoblins laying in the corner, asleep.
On the bridge you can see a wolf, the heavily armored hobgoblin that ran by the Taproot Inn, a bugbear, a lightly armored hobgoblin with a bow out, and two more hobgoblins. They seem to be talking amongst themselves and watching the forest.
Right now, they don't seem to notice you.
Looking back at the Market Green, you can see that the hobgoblins there have reached a critical mass. They take up almost the entire Green now and completely block the view of the people and supplies that must still circle the black obelisk in the center.
You can see troops leaving the Green in groups of ten to fifteen, headed south and south west, most likely to secure the more open side of Phaendar. If soldiers were to come this way it would take little time for them to reach you.
Quietly in undercommmon Clautipher addresses the elemental.
"Hlala eduze nami uma sihlangana nabanye. Ngingazonda ukuthi ungabesabisa noma wena."
As they come back together he looks around noting the crane and scaffolding.
"It would be nice if we could somehow damage the bridge. A bit out of my realm of knowledge but I would think there may be things here that could do it. Of course after those" he points to the hobgoblins "are dealt with."
"I think we found some alchemist fire back in the shrine, not sure who has it.", she points out. "But we have bigger problems to deal with right now."
Ian shakes his head. "I'm not sure we'll have the time for that. I think we just need to do our best to take out those hobgoblins and then run." He squints and looks at the spread of hobgoblins. "Nine nearby, and then more back at the green... This doesn't look good. We'll have to give it all we've got." As he says this, Ian realizes that he's already exhausted. He hasn't been injured at all, but he's expended a lot of magic... He knows then that they stayed too long already.
"I think we should focus on the bugbear and the archer first," he says. "The armored hob should come last I think."
"Yes yes, time. I know something about that. How about you give me that Alcimist fire then Ian, maybe I can get the bridge as well."
Regardless he draws the wand of magic missile to pitch in.
Daniil nods his head in agreement with the old man, "We need to destroy the bridge too or else we won't make it far."
We need to hit these guys as quickly as possible, or we're going to be dealing with reinforcements. I'll do what i can to support the archers on the way in
Elyas prepares for the fight by asking for favor from the gods on behalf of his companions
"After we deal with the hobgoblins, maybe we can damage the scaffold.", she looks back at the group. "I'll keep them in place and protect you so you can safely attack, are ready?"
Having a second to prepare Daniil prays over his bow asking for the blessings of he deity to be upon it.
Sander nods in agreement with the group's plans. "Olivia, I shall take my place in line with you at the fore."
"Friends, before we begin, gather round and let me call on the Goddess to aid us."
__________
Elyas will prepare for the assault by casting shield of faith on himself.
I'm ready when you all are! Let's get back to our people!
:: Assault of Phaendar Bridge ::
Hearing of the plans to destroy the bridge, Kining chimes in "You could use my crane to pull the scaffold apart. I have a key to unlock the safety lever." Her brow wrinkles a bit as she continues "Might be hard to pull it apart though, I built it strong."
Lirosa also speaks up, "We should keep the fight to the north west half of the bridge. Then when were engaged those that aren't fighting can run past on the other half."
Malcolm, Talgrum, Lirosa, and Taidel also mention that they will help you with the main assault on the bridge. Taerus, Kalleb, Nathaniel, Lorne, and Marcus will help get the noncombatants across the bridge before joining in.
With that, you group is ready to fight.
The as the group moves out of hiding, most of the creatures on the bridge don't notice them. However, the one dressed lightly with a bow does and shouts a warning to the others before moving to a more opportune spot while pulling out their bow.
With quick reflexes and good perception, Ian snaps off two quick shots from his wand of magic missile at the archer hobgoblin, trying to incapacitate the ranged threat.
Falcon moves 30 feet north and 5 east. He lets the ends of his sansetsukon hang loose and calls out, ”Come get me, you dwarf-blooded dog humpers!”
He readies an attack for a target in reach.
Swish!
Olivia runs up to the bridge and takes cover next to it, cursing her slow speed.
Elyas moves up with Olivia, using the stone pillar as cover. He watches the group on the bridge and prepares himself for a bloody fight
:: Assault of Phaendar Bridge ::
Ian's quick reflexes let him get two small shots in on the scout. As the force missiles connect with their target, the hobgoblin growls in pain.
Olivia and Elyas are accompanied by Lirosa and Malcolm, who can't make it to a place where they have a shot quite yet.
Sander moves forward and casts bless, as Talgrum moves out to support Falcon.
"Hoidke silda! Hoidke silda!" the heavily armored hobgoblin shouts while gesturing for the others to move forward and pulling out a crossbow.
The heavily armored hobgoblin and the scout fire at Talgrum and Falcon. Falcon dodges and Talgrum blocks the arrow with his shield, but Talgrum lets out a yelp of pain as he does so.
The other hobgoblins and the bugbear move forward. The wolf hangs back by the heavily armored hobgoblins side until the hobgoblin whistles and it moves forward a bit.
The hobgoblins asleep in the shed remain so.
Ian fires another magic missile, his own magic nearly exhausted. The purple projectile flies unerringly at the hobgoblin archer, slamming into him and hopefully knocking him down.
Ugh, what the hell are those hobgoblins saying? Are there reinforcements we can't see that they are calling too?
Solace moves up the road a bit, trying to get better shot at the hobgoblin with the bow on the bridge and fires an arrow at him/it.
Feats for ranged attacks - Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
attack block - 1d20+2dex+1bab(+1 if within 30ft)
damge - 1d8+2(+1if within 30ft)
Sander advances toward the bridge, willing forth a trick of light to daze the creatures on the bridge.
____________
BLESS = 9 Rounds Left +1 to Attack rolls
Olivia moves to the center of the bridge and readies her weapon.
Falcon charges the one outlined in red.
Red takes a nasty knock. Falcon nearly knocked his head clean off, but the goblin took a step backwards just in time.
Elyas moves up with Olivia, hoping he isn't making too big a target of himself. He doesn't even look back to make sure that the rest are following. His anger over losing Corin Barns is coming out, and he just wants to smash something.
Through his anger, though, his training tempers his rage and he doesn't rush off to do it all alone. He puts a hand on Olivia's shoulder guard and asks for a blessing
Daniil rushes forward, bow in hand, moving toward the north corner of the bridge.
"Looks like its time to move. Woza manje. Hlala usondelene."
[b] "Come along now, stay close."[ /b]
Claustipher hobbles forward with all due haste and waves the wand to release a bolt of force at the archer.
:: Assault on Phaendar Bridge ::
As the group surges forward, Solace lets loose and arrow a strikes her target. Ian and Claustipher add their magic missiles to the barrage aimed at the hobgoblin archer and bloody him.
Falcon charges in, and the hobgoblin swings at him as he does so. The strike narrowly misses and Falcon lands his blow, killing hte hobgoblin.
Taidel, Lirosa, and Malcolm all move out to try and suppress the hobgoblins and Talgrum moves up to support Falcon. Lirosa strikes the hobgoblin, but Taidel and Malcolm miss the bugbear.
The crowd of non-combatants moves forward and takes cover behind the edge of the bridge. They all look like they area ready to run as soon as an opening occurs.
One of the hobgoblins in the shed wakes. Groggily he stands before starting to panic and grabbing his weapons. "Ärka üles! Olid rünnaku all!" he bellows at the other two.
The hobgoblin in the front, and the bugbear step forward to challenge Talgrum and Falcon. Olivia sees her chance though and strikes at the bugbear.
Shrugging off Olivia's strike, the bugbear and hobgoblin lay into Flacon and Talgrum. Though neither can land a blow.
Seeing an opening, the wolf charges at Olivia. She takes it in stride and makes a swing of her own.
Olivia delivers a decisive strike against the wolf, killing it outright.
Not wanting to open up her guard like her wolf did, the heavy hobgoblin drops her crossbow and draws her scimitar while walking with purpose to swing at Falcon. The heavy narrowly misses.
The archer moves across the bridge and fires at Olivia, solidly striking her armor.
Knowing he is slow and wanting to stay in the middle of the pack Claustipher continues to push forward. Jesturing to the elemental to keep close. He again triggers the wand at the archer.
Falcon swings back at the heavy. Working in close, he pairs up two sections of his staff to deliver two powerful blows, across the jaw on the right, then back across the left.
Sander circles to flank the Bugbear, and engages with his scimitar.
_________
BLESS = 8 Rounds Left +1 to Attack rolls
Bless, flanking
Daniil sees an opening and takes a shot.
-4 shooting into Melee.
:: Assault on Phaendar Bridge ::
Olivia strikes a blow but feels like it could have been far worse.
As the lines clash, Elyas sees an opening to tie down the archer that is harassing Olivia. He charges across the bridge, bringing his longsword down on the archer. As he connects he feels his blade bite deep into the goblinoid and yells at it as he yanks his blade free.
Having landed a solid hit on the bugbear and killed the wolf, Olivia catches her breath and stands her ground.
Solace fires upon the hobgoblin archer again.
Feats for ranged attacks - Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
attack block - 1d20+2dex+1bab(+1 if within 30ft)
damge - 1d8+2(+1 if within 30ft)
Ian calls out to the bugbear, entreating him, "Hey, big-ears guy! You sure you don't want to pick on someone a little wimpier than the badass warrior you're fighting right there? Pretty sure that I just saw him wipe the floor with another one of your kind!"
::Assault on Phaendar Bridge ::
Solace, Daniil, and Claustipher fire into the enemy. Solace's arrow misses its mark but Daniil bloodies the bugbear and Claustipher brings the archer closer to death.
Seeing their chance, the last of the unarmed townsfolk and their guards run out onto the bridge. Those who are armed take a defensive stance and prepare to attack any who approach. Those who are unarmed merely run as though their lives depends on it.
The one exception is Kining, she runs to the crane while pulling a key from her pocket.
Seeing the hobgoblins in the shed starting to move, Lirosa, Malcol, and Taidel fire at the standing hobgoblin.
Lirosa and Taidel hit their mark, but Malcolm falls short. The hobgoblin stumbles as he bleeds profusely, but stays standing.
Nearer the from, Talgrum and Sander engage the Bugbear.
With Sander's help, Talgrum manages to bring the bugbear near death.
Ian's taunts seem to fall on deaf ears, as though it doesn't understand your words.
Falcon's first strike is rebuffed by the hobgoblin, but his second one lands bloodying it.
Elyas' charge finishes the archer, leaving the way clear for the townsfolk given that the other goblinoids are bottled up.
"Keskenduge sellele!" The heavily armored hobgoblin screams while gesturing at Falcon.
The two hobgoblins focus on Falcon and he is shaken blocking a blow from the heavy.
The bugbear tries to finish Talgrum after the blow he landed. Talgrum deflects the blow with his shield however.
Back in the shed the barely standing hobgoblin shouts, "
Äratage lollid!" as it moves towards the door and hides behind its shield.
One of the other hobgoblins stands and scrambles for its weapons.
Falcon ignores the heavy’s garbled speech, though the anger on his face suggests something as to the translation. He continues to work the forms Master Tsumoto taught him.
However, Master Tsumoto would have been disgusted with his poor execution.
As weaponless and untrained as he is, Ian just books it towards the bridge, realizing that he'd let himself fall farther behind than he would have liked. He points to Kining, hoping that Sander and Talgrum and Falcon and Olivia can take care of the last few goblins on the bridge. "Somebody needs to protect her," he gasps out, panting, "If we want the bridge to come down."
Elyas yanks his sword out of the dead archer, and moves back to help Falcon.
He comes up behind one of the goblins and stabs it in the back with his longsword, getting in under the creature's shoulder guard.
Daniil shoots another arrow into the chaotic scene and misses the lumbering bugbear.
Speaking to the elemental Claustipher heads towards the crane as well.
"Hamba nami. Sidinga ukumvikela."
"Come with me. We need to protect her."
After moving towards the crane Clastipher pauses and calls on his arcane knowledge to create a pool of grease outside the door to the shed.
"That should slow them down some with luck."
Olivia steps to the side and tries to hit the bugbear once more.
Sander strikes out at the bugbear again, attempting to finish him off.
_______
Bless = 7 rounds left
Advantage roll
:: Attack on Phaendar Bridge ::
Solace's and Daniil's arrows fly high, but Claustipher's grease prevents an easy exit from the shed for the hobgoblins.
The townsfolk make it across the bridge, they can easily get to the forest without your help now. The one exception is Kining, she gets to the crane, jams the key in a lock attached to a chain around the pulleys, and turns the key. As the chain falls away she says, "Good, now I can get out of here too. Deal with the bridge."
Lirosa, Taidel, and Malcom fire at the hobgoblins in the shed then move forward.
"We should be going as well, before we get bogged down." Malcolm says as they move towards the bridge.
As everyone starts making their escape, Sander drops the bugbear with a measured slash.
Olivia steps forward and attacks a hobgoblin with Elyas, their strikes bringing it down.
Unfortunately, Falcon's strikes fail to get through the heavies armor.
The heavily armored hobgoblin strikes at Falcon again before stepping backwards.
The last hobgoblin gets its bearings in the shed and grabs its bow while the other two guard the door, longswords readied behind their shields.
With the fight dying down some of you glance over to the Market Green and notice a small troop rallying to move towards you.
Sander and Ian note four hobgoblins, and two bugbears beginning to move towards the group. Behind the small reactionary force Ian and Sander can also tell that another group is rallying to leave soon, and third much larger group is being organised.
The hobgoblins really don't want to lose this bridge.
Talgrum slashes at the heavily armored hobgoblin, but his strike skates off the armor.
"We should get as many of us as we can across the bridge before we take it down, if we're going to do that!" cries Ian, continuing to run. "Whatever we do... we need to do it fast! We can't fight too many more of these things."
As he talks, he turns his wand on the hobgoblin heavy, unleashing a whizzing purple projectile.
No seeing the reactionary force heading their way Daniil rushed toward the pully and begins to crank it, "Someone give me a hand hear!"