Children of Wrath [RotRL]

Game Master nate lange

Heavily wounded, Inc fights against the frenzied urge that threatens to overwhelm her as Axel shouts his encouragement. No, she needed to keep her wits about her and fall back - but not before offering a parting shot at the mangy goblin dog.

Attack vs. Goblin Dog (Bite): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
_____________

Inc will try to take a bite out of the goblin dog and then take a 5 foot step back.

I don't like botting anyone (especially this early in a game), but Ellen's last post was Friday... I'll give her like 12 more hours and then we'll have to move on.

Crap, I legitimately thought I had responded to this. My bad.

Ellen takes another stab at the remaining dog, the supernatural frenzy from Axel's words coursing through her veins.

attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

no worries- we've all done it.

Motivated by Inc's yelp, Josie leans forward and just barely manages to stab her dagger deep into the goblin dog. Inc is too distracted by her wound to effectively counter but Ellen makes good once again with her attack and the final goblin dog collapses.

The well dressed gentleman looks almost disappointed that the fight has ended already, until he notices Ellen. He locks eyes with her and strides confidently to her. Bowing, he takes her unarmed hand and kisses it. "My lady," he says still holding eye contact, "you saved my life; how can I ever repay you?"

Ellen's face flushes, suddenly looking quite uncomfortable. "Mx'hae emsoy ioap l'deul..." she manages to stammer out, looking to Josie for help.

As Axel cleaned the gore off his dagger, he listened the exchange with a sense of bemusement. Everyone at the Academy knew Ellen sometimes talked in tongues in stressful situations, so that wasn't a surprise, but her reaction to the well heeled man was. Not knowing quite what she was going to say or do, Axel wanders over and whisers gently, "Easy now Ellen. He's just trying to say thank you." Turning to the gentleman, he says, "Sir, Ellen's rather shook up by all this and needs a moment. Anyway if you don't mind me asking sir, how did you get captured by these miserable goblins? Are there more?"

Sense Motive - for anything the Gentleman says: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14 Next level Axel will become very good at this thanks to versatile performance.

The gentleman raises an eyebrow at Ellen's alien response. He finally breaks eye contact with her when Axel begins speaking.

"There were, yes, I'm not sure what's left now..." he answers the troubadour, I killed one in the street down at the market square and then these two came charging by and got lucky with their net."

He seems to be telling the truth.

Axel nods and with a faint grin he adds, "Speaking of luck, it was by the Lady's grace we where in a position to help Sir. We encountered a number ourselves, apparently planting bombs. They seemed determined, I worry this won't be the end of the matter."

-Damn, the town is plagued, then.

Trying to think of what to do, Kejak squeezes his brains as tight as he can.

-I propose two things. We could either try to make a route through all the town, helping anyone we find in peril and hoping to eliminate all the goblin groups we find. Or we could try to find from where are they coming and see if there are more and if we can keep them out.

He stops for some seconds to let his friends assess the situation as well.

-What do you guys think?

"We need to make sure that there's no one else in immediate danger!" Josie exclaims as she and Inc trot over to join the others. "Ellen, you're okay right? Take a deep breath and count to 10, that always helps me when I'm nervous," she adds before turning her attention to the finely-dressed man.

"Happy we could help you out, sir! It's good to see someone else able and willing to pick up a weapon and fight!"

"Yes, well, I wasn't left much choice," the gentleman answers sheathing his blade. Turn his gaze back to Ellen he continues, "I am Aldern, Lord Foxglove, and you must allow me to thank you all. Not now obviously... I need to check on my valet and it sounds like you have plans as well. Meet my tomorrow for lunch at the Rusty Dragon?"

It sounds like you're going to continue looking for any more goblins? Any one care to choose a route, or a general approach to your search?

At Josie's behest Ellen breathes deeply. "Ich... Gir... Uln... Troz... Five... Six... Okay, I'm... I'm okay." Ellen bows politely to Aldern before turning back to Josie and Kejak.

Well I'm definitively in this now... "Josie's right, we need to make sure nobody else is in trouble. We should stick together though, wouldn't do for one of us to come up against a big pack alone."

I'm not picky about the route.

I'm going to assume we're in the Cathedral square or nearby.

-Alright... I say we go south, since that is a more heavily populated area and there could be more children in danger. From there we go clockwise checking the town. Let's go!

Any plan beat standing around while people might be getting hurt. Axel grinned, "Lets do it!" Turning to Lord Foxglove, Axel replied formally, "Until tomorrow Sir!" He then went to check on Shayliss saying, "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you! We're going to make sure nobody else is getting hurt. You're probably still safest with us."

per this post you are currently on Festival Street, just south of High Street. Clockwise along the major roads is still a perfectly viable approach.

Shayliss grabs Axel's hand tightly and nods. Aside from the abandoned booths Festival Street is eerily empty as the group moves south to the market square. In the square there are three dead goblins and a handful of people cautiously surveying the area. The square seems secure so they head west on Water Street.

Within seconds of leaving the square they hear a frightened scream around the corner on Main Street*. Shayliss' eyes go wide with fear; "my family..." she gasps.

* the Academy and Shayliss' family home and business are on opposite sides of the south end of Main Street (where the scream came from)

Axel squeezes her hand before racing south. As he went he called to the others, "Quickly to the General Store. We'll check the Academe after."

Feet pounding, he tried to determine where the scream came from but the sound of his breathing, his footfalls and the blood rushing through his veins drowned out everything else!
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Kejak agrees with Axel in that the General Store is a more vulnerable target than the Academy, specially if Ilsoary is there to defend it. He follows Axel carefully, trying not to miss a possible threat.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Ellen follows behind, resigned to her fate of getting dragged along through the conflict. She watches the area in hopes of preventing an ambush.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

"Whoop, Inc is still really hurt - I'll catch up in just a second, okay? Okay!" Josie calls after the others. Focusing on her strange, inner power Josie gently places her hand on Inc's head and wills her friend's wounds to close.

Rejuvenate Eidolon, Lesser: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

"There we go, good as new!" she beams. "Okay, let's catch up to the others now!"

As they hurry along behind the rest, Josie attempts to keep her eyes open for signs of trouble...

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Ahhh, much better," Inc responds with an approximation of a smile. "Let's go finish flushing out these nasty little things," she agrees.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Main Street (where the scream came from) ends at Water Street (which you're currently on), so even though the Academy and the Vinder home/business are at the south end of Main you still have to turn north to get there (turning south on Water street puts you in the harbor). I know I linked a map before... I'll add a permanent link to the campaign header. Josie- Inc is fast enough (and doesn't have to spend an action to get healed) that you can keep up with the group.

Rounding the corner north on to Main Street, there are dozens of people disappearing down alleys and into buildings. In the quickly emptying street six goblins can be seen; three of them are charging north towards a unit of watchmen while the other three chase south after Joanna, a twelve year-old orphan from the academy (and the source of the screaming). Joanna is clearly faster than her pursuers but finds the gate to Turandarock's closed when she arrives. While she works to open it, two of the goblins bear down on her while the third begins chanting.

Everyone may act. Joanna is 20' away; the two charging goblins are 30', and the chanting goblin is 50'.

"Oh no you don't!" Josie cries as she spots the goblins bearing down on Joanna. "For Sarenrae!"

As if responding to a predetermined signal Inc charges one of the oncoming goblins, teeth bared. When they meet their target, Josie swings her dagger down in a vicious arc.

Attack (Dagger; Arcane Strike, Charge, Higher Ground): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
_________

Assuming they can charge, Josie and Inc take a -2 to their AC for the round.

"Try taking on someone more your size, instead of little children!" Inc snarls as she too attempts to take down their goblin target.

Attack (Bite; Charge): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Knowing that the watchmen can take care of the goblins by themselves, Kejak Quickly tries to help the girl in danger. Chanting usually means trouble, so he walks a bit further and shoots at the goblin.

Move till the chanting goblin is within 30 ft, then attack.

Arrow, Point Blank Shot 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23
Dmg if successful 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Dark energy courses through Ellen's palm once again as she moves towards one of the goblins. She misses her target, but the spell remains to be used next time.

Casting ILW. Had to double check to make sure you don't lose a touch spell when you miss the target.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Axel pauses momentarily watching Josie and Inc team up on one of the charging goblins and Kejack shoot the chanting one.

Realizing one was going to get through, Axel sprints towards the other charging goblin. The air whistling past him as his right arm raised up and falls down, dagger point gleaming as it plunges towards the goblin's neck!

Charge (if possible, AC = 10).
Dagger: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 17Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Charging forward, both Josie and Inc open wounds on the goblin before them. It staggers for a moment but stays on its feet. Raising its shield against the next round of attacks, it slashes at Josie with it's dogslicer.
attack (IC): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5, for: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Kejak's arrow finds its mark as well, sinking into the chanting goblin's chest. It responds by conjuring a warm white light to it's hand and touching it to the wound.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Axel's dagger slices into the third goblin causing it to grunt and snarl. It has no shield to protect itself with but it raises it's horsechopper (a crude goblin-made halberd) above it's head and swings down at the handsome man.
attack (IC): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9, for: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

well, that didn't go very well for them... party is up.

-What? The bastard cures himself!

Not wanting to give the goblin another chance, Kejak fires again, this time with hopes of ending him.

Arrow, Point Blank 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Dmg if successful 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

With his eyes wide, Axel stares at the rusty horsechopper as it falls towards him. At the last moment he steps aside and thrusts out with his dagger, aiming for the goblin's heart!

Dagger: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Crit?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20Crit Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Ellen swats at air again, clearly getting annoyed.

Payback for how easily I was able to wade into melee earlier I suppose. xp

"Neener neener!" Josie laughs, sticking her tongue out at the goblin before attempting to finish him off for good.

Attack (Dagger; Arcane Strike, Higher Ground): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Crit!?: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

I'm pretty sure Josie killed the one they were fighting, but just in case...

Axel's dagger does find the goblin's heart and blood spurts out when he removes it. The goblin struggles to focus its eyes on anything and then tries clumsily to flee. It travels about twenty feet and then collapses.

Josie also lands a brutally accurate strike, felling the goblin before her. Inc charges towards the final goblin, which now has a second of Kejak's arrows stuck in it, but her bite catches nothing but air. The goblin scowls and stops it chanting. Stepping back, it weaves a spell and Inc feels a sense of dread flowing over her... DC 13 Will or Inc has to flee...

party is up- the last goblin is 25' from Axel and Ellen and 35' from Kejak (5' from Josie/Inc)

-Alright, you're a tough one, uh?

Moving a step forward, Kejak tries to finish the goblin off. Again.

Arrow, Point Blank 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Dmg if successful 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

When his blade bit deeply into the Goblin's flesh and he could feel the wretched thing's heart bust, Axel felt a terrible pang of remorse. Killing was a wretched business but then he looked up at poor terrified Joanna and his heart hardened.

"Somebody must have put them up to this." he muttered darkly before he sprinted towards the final goblin. This one was apparently a shaman and had just completed a spell. Axel lashed out with his dagger shouting, "That's enough Voodoo from you!"

Dagger: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Ellen, the road is wide enough that you can still charge if you want.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Ellen charges swiftly towards the remaining goblin and... whiffs again. "Rsys mn'da grethea itto sl'ghateet," she mumbles in annoyance.

Will (DC 13): 1d20 ⇒ 6

She wasn't sure what did it, but suddenly there was something about the goblin that sent a shiver through Inc's body. Visions of cold water and icy tombs suddenly filled her mind.

He's stronger than we thought! I have to get us out of here!

Without warning Inc turns and bolts away from the goblins and the rest of the group, barreling down the street as fast as she can - with Josie still sitting on her back.

"Wha!? Inc, stop! The fight's back that way! What are you doing!?" Josie shrieks as her fearless steed proves not quite so fearless and begins quickly carrying her away from the battle and her friends. "Help, runaway firecat!"

1d2 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3

Inc turns back to the south and runs, with Josie in tow. The goblin cackles with glee as the firecat rounds the corner at the end of Main Street and disappears to the west.

Its amusement persists while Kejak's arrow sails by harmlessly and Ellen fails to even touch it, but Axel wipes the cruel grin from its face with another well placed thrust. Growing a bit unsteady on it's feet, the goblin draws its dogslicer and slashes at Axel.
attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14, for: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Party is up. Ellen and Axel are still adjacent; Kejak is still at 30' but the goblin now has soft cover (from your friends). Josie, you're 80' away (on Water Street, approaching where Glass Street starts) and you're options are pretty much to keep riding until Inc stops fleeing, or to try and leap off and double back on foot.

Axel I think is on 5 hp currently. He's taken 8 hp damage but used 2 rounds of inspired rage healing (as I understand it) 4 hp.

Axel grits his teeth when the goblin's filthy dogslicer opens a deep cut on his left arm. Wary now Axel starts to circle the goblin hoping that he and Ellen can take it down together before it's too late! He thrusts high but stops mid stroke, bats the dogslicer away with the flat of his at the same time as thrusting out towards the goblin's liver.
Dagger: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18+2 if Ellen can flankDamage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Ellen misses again, at this point thoroughly embarassed by her inability to even touch the damned thing. She adjusts her positioning to flank with Axel, hoping he can take the opportunity to finish it.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Ellen misses again but distracts the goblin enough for Axel to finish it off with another successful thrust.

Joanna wipes the tears from her eyes and runs to Kejak (who is nearest to her). Hugging him, she says, "you saved me... thank you..."

When Shayliss sees the orphan girl she comes out from her safe spot too. Running up the street she wraps her arms around Axel and presses her soft body against him. "That was so amazing," she gushes, "you were so brave, and so strong..."

"Inc! What's gotten into you!?" Josie shrieks as Inc continues to barrel towards Glass Street. Fearful that her friend might hurt herself or someone else in her flight, Josie remains in the saddle and continues attempting to get Inc to snap out of it.

-It's ok, Joanna, you're safe now- says Kejak, trying to calm her down. -Who's in the Academy? Do you know where is Ilsoari?

Ellen makes an annoyed face at Shayliss when she thinks the older girl isn't looking before jogging off after Josie. Figuring Inc's unusual antics were the result of some spell the goblin cleric cast it might take some time before it wears off, so she should make sure Josie does not get too far away before that happens. Not that Ellen could keep up with Inc running at full pace, but it was enough of an excuse to get away from Shayliss and Axel schmoozing on each other.

Axel finds Shayliss' attention most intoxicating and he whispers, "Glad you're safe." Louder so the others can hear he suggests, "We should find somewhere safe for Joanna and check on Shayliss' family." Holding Shayliss's hand, he walks over to Kejak and adds, "Don't worry Joanna, we won't let anything bad happen to you. We do need to talk to the headmaster though, I wonder were he is."

Inc rounds the corner onto Glass Street and slows to a stop as her fear subsides.

"He's inside, I think," Joanna answers sheepishly, "he lead a group of students back but I... I got separated from them... when I stopped to watch some of the city guard fighting a goblin on a dog..."

Shayliss is distracted staring at her home while the others talk. "It looks alright..." she quietly reassures herself. A moment later, more loudly, she says, "I have to go check on them..." Then, looking imploringly into Axel's eyes, she adds, "come with me, please?"

-Yes, the guard!- thinksKejak suddenly. He turns to check how the guards are doing with their goblins.

-Axel, do you feel we should separate? Some of us could bring Joanna and the rest check on Shayliss' state.- He asks Axel over the others because he thinks Axel's feelings might be divided between the young Joanna and Shayliss.

As the fear finally fades from her mind, Inc stops and gives her head a bewildered shake. Just a moment before she'd been fleeing for her life but now she wasn't even sure what had had her so scared in the first place.

"That...I don't know what that last goblin did, but I don't ever want to do that again!" she exclaims. Then she turns her head to look at Josie. "Um, I'm really sorry about that...I don't know what happened, but evidently I thought it was pretty terrifying," she sighs. "It looked like the others had everything in hand, at least. I'll get us back in a flash, okay?"

Inc takes off moving as fast as she can go back to where they'd last seen the others, thankful for her own innate speed.