Tevyn considers going to the marketplace but thus far he hasn't used up any of the personal supplies he'd brought for the trip. Seeing Corinna and Sandru walking together into town, he decides to leave them to it.
After a moment's consideration, he checks to see if Ameiko's awake. he bids her good morning and says, "I know Roderic's Cove isn't the most pleasant place, but I was thinking of going into town to see about some fresh baked bread for breakfast. We don't have time for anything like that on the road and it might make for a pleasant change. Would you be interested in accompanying me? I believe Sandru said we won't be departing until noon so we should have some time."
Ameiko is indeed awake. Running an inn for a few years has gotten her used to getting up before dawn. "I could do with a walk," she says, jumping down from the wagon she was seated on. "Sandru said this place is a bit rough, though, so we should be careful." She welcomes Gilfroy along when he joins them, too.
Fresh bread turns out to be a little difficult to find. You pass up several merchants offering "fresh" bread that clearly was baked several days ago, but you do eventually find the local bakery. The delicious smells wafting out from it are a pleasant change from the rest of the town and positive proof that the bread here truly is freshly baked.
Tevyn nods at Ameiko's warning. "We'll remain prepared," he says as he checks that his bow and quiver are still within easy reach.
The trip into town was discouraging at first, populated as it is by crooks and ne'er do wells but the scent of freshly baked bread makes it all worthwhile.
"This is what I had in mind," he says with a slight smile before walking into the bakery.
Vinzi's wares are fairly simple. She has some cloth of decent quality (though not spectacular) that she's selling for 1 sp per yard, some Varisian dolls for 5 sp each, and a selection of gaudy jewellery (necklaces made from simple beads, plain rings, etc.) ranging in price from 1 sp to 5 gp).
Malan would go into town with Corinna and Sandru. He's not looking for anything. He just wants to see the town.
He does not speak Varisian and is not privvy to the conversation between Corinna and the shopkeeper.
Ameiko buys a few loaves of bread for the caravan as well as a few pastries for herself, Tevyn, and Gilfroy. Any attempt by the other two to contribute to the price is waved away by her. "No, no," she says. "It's the least I can do for dragging you so far away from home."
After buying the items, she suggests a short walk through town (there's really not much to see) to eat the pastries and then back to the caravan. The three of you get back to the caravan in loads of time for departure.
"There was a caravaner named Pitivo who used to come through here years back. He had a regular route similar to what Sandru runs now. But there was some sort of scandal. Stories say he took up with a Chelaxian woman. Or a Taldan. Or an Ulfen. Some even say an elf. You know how stories are. They change with the telling. But the one constant was, it was never a Varisian. Some of the stories say he married her and had a child. Some don't mention the marriage and just say he had a child. Some don't even mention the child. Heard one person say he strangled his wife and newborn child in their sleep. Heh. Don't give much stock to that one, personally. Whatever happened though, he ended up on the run. From her family? From the law? Who knows? Started altering his route after that. Took on a more northerly route, so I heard, but he kept coming back to Riddleport for quite some time. Haven't heard about him in years though. Still he fits your story."
The old woman sits back and eyes Corinna carefully. "So, is your mother the woman? Are you his child?"
As Corinna is leaving, the old woman says, "I hope you find him." For the first time, there's sincere kindness in her voice.
If Malan is anywhere near Corinna as she speaks with the old Varisian woman, he'd notice her buying an old silver ring and then listening in silence as the vendor talks for quite a while. Whatever the woman is saying seems to affect her, as her face grows pale and anxious, but the two part in a friendly, if somber, manner. Playing distractedly with the ring on her finger, Corinna shows no interest in anything else in the marketplace; she returns to where Sandru is conducting his business and waits for him to return to the caravan, not feeling safe enough to find her own way out of town, considering the reputation Roderic's Cove has carved out for itself.
Trying not to be an intrusive presence in their conversation, Malan browses the shop while they speak.
Having had a successful time trading, Sandru is in a cheerful mood when he rejoins Corinna and Malan. During the walk back to the caravan, he enquires whether Corinna found the information she was looking for.
Back at the caravan, Ameiko presents Sandru, Corinna, and Malan with a small basket of freshly baked bread. "Help yourself," she says.
The caravan workers have already set about readying for departure and by noon, everything is set to go. At Sandru's orders, the caravan starts moving again and soon, Roderic's Cove is vanishing into the distance. "We should reach Riddleport tomorrow evening," Sandru says.
The remainder of the day's journey is quiet and uneventful. In the evening, you camp alongside the road just outside a small hamlet.
Tevyn thanks Ameiko for the bread. "You don't need to feel that you owe me anything, though. I'm just glad to see more of the world and appreciate the opportunity to travel with good company."
He's pleased to have come up with such a rewarding idea and is cheerful for the remainder of the day as they make their way through the countryside.
That evening, after camp has been set up, Tevyn is taking his customary walk around the camp, eying where everyone is set-up and keeping an eye on the boundaries when he comes upon Corinna.
"Good evening. How are you enjoying the trip thus far? It's been a remarkably uneventful one." He seems somewhat disappointed by this.
"Oooo!" Melon grabs herself a bread, then raids one of the storage boxes for a piece of hard cheese. When she returns she asks the shoppers, "How was it? Anything good? I kept a tight watch - but nothing came of it. The place isn't nearly as lawless as rumors say." A sudden look of realization drapes over her features, "Unless..." she rushes off to check supplies. After a while she returns, "No, I was right. Nothing happened."
She comes back as Gilfroy finishes off the last of her cheese. "Quite sleepy, actually, but I know my presence can frighten off many hardened criminals."
Having had a successful time trading, Sandru is in a cheerful mood when he rejoins Corinna and Malan. During the walk back to the caravan, he enquires whether Corinna found the information she was looking for.
Sandru's question draws Corinna out of a distracted reverie. "Er, yes, thank you. Confirmation of what I'd already learned, at any rate. I hope to find something more helpful in Riddleport. If I don't... well, I suppose I'll have to tell myself I've done my best and head back south." She forces a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.
When they arrive back at the caravan, she refuses Ameiko's bread with a stiff No, thank you.
That evening, after camp has been set up, Tevyn is taking his customary walk around the camp, eying where everyone is set-up and keeping an eye on the boundaries when he comes upon Corinna.
"Good evening. How are you enjoying the trip thus far? It's been a remarkably uneventful one." He seems somewhat disappointed by this.
Corinna, twisting a silver ring on her finger anxiously, seems startled by the half-elf's sudden appearance. "Oh! Mr., er, Tevyn. Yes, it's certainly been ... mind-numbing, hasn't it? I suppose for those responsible for the caravan it's been full of drama and triumph: wondering if we've enough stores and counting the coin earned in town. From my perspective, being neither expert in roadside provision nor interested in trade, it's merely been an exercise in tedium. From what Mr. Vhiski says, though, it's almost over now: one more day to Riddleport."
Malan is grateful for the bread. He raises an eyebrow as he notes Corinna's reaction to Ameiko's offer.
A cold wind is blowing from the south today, probably coming up off the Varisian Gulf, the shore of which can just be seen at the edge of your vision. The landscape here is rocky and mostly barren, with occasional patches of scrubby grasses. To the north, the Curchain Hills rise up, eventually becoming the Stony Mountains. Despite the sparseness of vegetation, there's a definite beauty to the landscape. Sunlight glints off the far-off mountains, at times creating a sparkling display.
You stop for lunch around midday as usual, then continue on, the landscape having changed little over the course of the day. Indeed, as pretty as it can be, it's consistency gives the annoying illusion that you're not getting anywhere at all.
A couple of hours after lunch (according to Sandru, you should only be a couple more hours away from Riddleport), Malan, scouting a short distance in front of the caravan spots Shalelu further down the road, at the edge of sight. She's waving, signalling danger. At that moment, numerous small figures appear at a hilltop to the northwest and begin swarming down. Goblins!
Order: Sandru, Corinna, Melon, Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Other Caravaners, Tevyn, Ameiko
At the sight of the goblins, Sandru immediately yells out, "Halt! Take cover!" Bevelek hasn't even had a chance to stop the wagon as Sandru hops out of his seat onto the ground. He pulls out his bow and reaches for an arrow.
Next Up: Melon, Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Caravaners, Tevyn, Ameiko, Sandru.
Corinna looks up with alarm and, remembering the newest addition to her arcane arsenal, speaks the words and performs the motions for magic missile. This time, not being in an experimenting mood, she makes sure her fingers end their arc pointing straight at the nearest goblin hurrying down the hill toward her. Just as at the practice range at the Twilight Academy, the bullet of force leaves her fingers, dashing across the intervening countryside, and fizzles directly into goblin-flesh. As she pulls up her skirts to climb past Bevelek and hop to the ground behind the cover of the wagon, she can't help calling out proudly, "Did you see that, Mr. Malan?"
"Take cover! Women and children first!" Melon completely ignores her own instructions and races towards the front of the caravan with her arms splayed open widely.
Gilfroy attempts to turn his wagon slightly, trying to speed up and cut between Koya's wagon, and the one in front of him.
Handle Animal:
Assuming this counts as being in combat and not good enough, Gilfroy mostly flaps his reins at the pony, yelling, "That way!" to little effect.
Malan casts a defensive spell.
"A fine job of casting Miss Corinna. I would urge you to maintain your focus on the matter at hand, however."
Corinna's bolt zips across the rocky landscape and hits the goblin in the chest, causing the goblin to stumble slightly as it runs.
Melon moves forward while Gilfroy tries unsuccessfully to control Umbral's movement. Despite his best efforts to get the donkey to turn, Umbral simply stops moving. Meanwhile, Malan casts a defensive spell.
The goblins continue down the hill in a wild mob, running as fast as they can towards the caravan, even the injured one managing to keep up .
Hearing the ruckus outside, Koya moves to the door of her wagon and looks out just as the wagon drivers bring their vehicles to a stop.
Next Up: Ameiko, Sandru, Corinna, Melon, Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Caravaners.
A grim smile crosses Tevyn's face as the goblins advance. Releasing his reins and guiding the horse with his knees, Tevyn grabs his bow and slips an arrow into position, raising it and firing at one of the approaching goblins.
Tevyn's arrow lodges in the shoulder of goblin #8, but the goblin keeps moving on, unperturbed.
Ameiko looks up and immediately begins to sing an inspiring song. She jumps off the back of the wagon and moves to the edge of the road, pulling out her rapier as she moves.
Sandru moves forward a bit and fires an arrow over at the oncoming goblins, but unfortunately, it flies too high and goes over the goblins as well. "Protect the horses! he calls.
Next Up: Melon, Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Caravaners, Tevyn, Ameiko.
Malan steps to L26 and casts Burning Hands v Ref sv dc 14
Horses? Corinna looks momentarily confused; in the excitement of the moment, she had only been concerned with protecting herself and forgotten about goblins' unreasoning hatred for horses -- and dogs. Realizing the poor shape the caravan would be in with so many heavy wagons and not enough horses to pull them, she wraps one hand around her amulet and dips into her spell component pouch with the other. "Buy me some time," she cries to Sandru before beginning to intone the words of a summoning spell.
Gilfroy, frustrated with his pony, jumps down from his seat and moves as close to Malan as he can, then casts bless, getting as many allies as possible within his radius.
Melon runs next to Ameiko, her hands poised one above and one below - ready to strike at whatever goblin approaches.
Corinna begins casting a spell while Melon moves beside Ameiko. Gilfroy hops off his pony moves a bit forward and casts his spell, boosting the morale of Ameiko and Melon (and Vankor, too).
Malan steps forward and a cone of searing flames springs out from his fingers, engulfing three of the goblins. Despite the burns it leaves on them, the goblins continue forward. The first two go at Malan, while the next two hurry towards Sandru. The next two go after one of the horses on the lead wagon, while four converge on Tevyn and his horse. The final two head straight at Melon and Ameiko.
The goblins swing wildly with their dogslicers, laughing and cackling as they do so. For the most part, they are clumsy with their weapons, but some manage to strike. In particular, Tevyn's mount becomes subject to several nasty cuts. It's better trained than the draft horse pulling the lead wagon, however. That horse screams in pain at the small wound inflicted on it.
Koya casts a longstrider spell on herself, then hops out of the wagon and moves extremely quickly around the back of the wagon and towards the battle .
Despite the panicking horse, Bevelek manages to keep it under control and stop it from darting. The other drivers begin the slow process of turning the wagons to move aside, hoping to keep away from the battle.
Next Up: Ameiko, Sandru, Corinna, Melon, Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Caravaners.
Concerned by all the injuries his horse is taking, Tevyn tries to smoothly dismount so that the horse can retreat. Unfortunately, his foot gets caught in the stirrup and he loses time yanking it free.
With few options available to him, Tevyn fires an arrow at the goblin directly in front of him. Inspired by Ameiko's song, his aim is true.
As the dogslicer almost penetrates Melon's skin she abruptly twists out of the way.
1d20 - 2
1d4 + 1
I've also put you at K36, since J36 is part of the horse's space and once you're no longer mounted, you can't share the horse's space.
As the dogslicer almost penetrates Melon's skin she abruptly twists out of the way.
Melon manages to twist aside from a near wounding at the last second.
Tevyn climbs off his horse and steps back before firing an arrow that lodges right in #7's throat. The goblin topples over with a gurgle of blood. Meanwhile, his horse attacks one of the other goblins around it, but the little beast easily ducks aside.
Ameiko continues to sing as she stabs with her rapier at #12 in front of her. The little goblin ducks aside with a laugh, and Ameiko steps to the side of it .
Sandru drops his bow and draws his scimitar. In the same motion, he whips the blade around and across goblin #4's face. The goblin screeches and falls over.
Next Up: Melon, Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Caravaners, Tevyn, Ameiko, Sandru.
Female Dog, Riding
NN Medium Animal
Init +2; Senses Darkvision (60 feet), Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +8
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DEFENSE
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AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11. . (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 13 (2d8+4)
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1
Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5; SR 6
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OFFENSE
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Spd 40 ft.
Melee Bite (Dog, Riding) +3 (1d6+3/20/x2)
Special Attacks Smite Evil (1/day)
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STATISTICS
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Str 15, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 15 (19 vs. Trip)
Feats Skill Focus: Perception
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +8 Modifiers +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent, Acrobatics (Jump) +8
Languages
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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+4 to Survival when tracking by Scent +4 to Survival when tracking by Scent.
Acrobatics (Jump) +8 (Ex) You gain the specified bonus to acrobatics checks made to jump.
Damage Resistance, Acid (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Acid attacks.
Damage Resistance, Cold (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Cold attacks.
Damage Resistance, Electricity (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Electricity attacks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
Smite Evil (1/day) (Su) +0 to hit, +2 to damage.
Spell Resistance (6) You have Spell Resistance.
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Corinna finishes her summoning spell, and a dog that looks remarkably like Lady shimmers into existence behind the goblins attacking the horse on the lead wagon with a faint sound of harpsong. With a growl, she tears at the undersized monster as if seeking revenge for what happened to her Material-plane doppelganger.
Her spell complete, Corinna doesn't wait around to try to see what's happening on the other side of the wagon (although she hopes the sudden appearance of a dog will spare the horses) but skirts south off the road to get a clear shot at the goblin still facing Sandru. Twisting her fingers in the air, she summons a gobbet of acid and flings it at the wicked little creature.
Malan thrusts at the goblin that hit him, then steps back and launches a ball of acid at the other.
Rapier: arcane pool (+1), inspire courage spell combat
to hit damage
Acid Splash: RTouch, inspire courage spell combat
damage
confirm crit: arcane pool (+1), inspire courage spell combat
to hit damage
Goblin #6 screams in terror as a dog appears out nowhere. The scream quickly turns to a gurgle as the dog rips the goblin's throat out.
Corinna's acid dart splashes into #3's chest, burning quickly through the goblin's armour. With a screech, the goblin falls, clutching feeble at its chest before lying still.
Next Up: Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Caravaners, Tevyn, Ameiko, Sandru, Corinna.
Gilfroy double moves to J38.
Melon's attacks swoop broadly, with extended arms, forming an elaborate three-dimensional "8" sign. The form is unclear to read and the goblin is far too distracted to pay attention to it - and is rewarded with a bonk on the head. Melon gracefully steps next to Ameiko with more fluidity then people usually see Melon with.
Corinna looks on in half-disbelief as her thrown acid kills the goblin but doesn't have time to reflect on her success. "Go!" she shouts to Sandru. "Protect the horses!"
Goblin #11 sways a bit after Melon hits it. Then it falls over. As Melon steps closer to Ameiko, Ameiko shakes her head, but it's too late; Melon's already moved.
Gilfroy moves up behind Ameiko, while Malan stabs #1 in the stomach. The goblin clutches at its stomach and falls over . The elf then steps back and launches a glob of acid that splatters over #2's shoulder. The goblin yelps in pain and screams obscenities at Malan in Goblin. It raises its dogslicer, steps forward and attacks Malan, but missing.
The other surviving goblins press their attacks as well. #5, screaming in fear, manages a minor cut on the celestial dog, whilst the three attacking Tevyn's horse only manage one hit between them. #10 swings its dogslicer down in a heavy chop at Tevyn's horse, but the horse has already moved aside. The blade hits the ground so hard that it jolts loose in its hilt. #12 tries to hit Melon, but she's too quick for it.
Koya moves like lightning to the opposite side of #12, to flank it with Melon . She strikes with her starknife, but misses.
The drivers continue to turn away from the fight. Bevelek starts carefully backing up the lead wagon. Tevyn is momentarily startled as the wagon gently brushes past his back.
Next Up: Ameiko, Sandru, Corinna, Melon, Gilfroy, Malan, Goblins, Koya, Caravaners.
Upon missing Melon, the goblin receives a lightning fast split leg kick that leaves Melon standing on one leg, the other thrust almost vertically up. Then it descends down again with deadly magnitude - crushing the goblin's shoulder and splaying him lifelessly on the ground.
Upon missing Melon, the goblin receives a lightning fast split leg kick that leaves Melon standing on one leg, the other thrust almost vertically up. Then it descends down again with deadly magnitude, but unfortunately, the goblin recovers from the first attack quickly enough to move aside just in the nick of time.
Tevyn turns his attention to the goblin he's got the clearest shot at and fires an arrow, even as the horse, blind with pain and fear but having no where else to go, lashes out with its hooves.