As the sun began stting below the horizon, the revelers at Sandpoint's Swallowtail Festival began to gather at the square outside the new cathedral. The dedication would begins soon and Father Zantus would make the first presentation.
Father Zantus ascended the podium, and with a thunderstone he struck the podium. The loud announced that the ceremony was about to begin. Father Zantus waved for silence and cleared his throat...
Just as the crowd's hubbub was dying down, the people in the square heard a dog's barking, and then a yelp. By the wagons at the south end of the square stood a goblin, standing over the corpse of a dog, throat slit from ear to ear.
cried someone from the crowd. The crowd pulled back as a group of goblins leapt forth from under the wagon, brandishing torches and giggling madly. The crowd pulled back; all but six individuals who stood their ground.
An elf... a halfling... a half-orc... a strange blue maiden... a man that looked like a cat standing upright... and a centaur!
These six adventurers fell upon the goblins, and in the ensuing melee, not one goblin was left standing. The six stood over the dead goblins, and a hush fell over the square.
It seemed that the crowd might then break into a round of applause. But before anyone could congratulate the six warriors, a scream could be heard from the road to the south, then another. And just as people's attention is pulled away to the south, there is a and a wagon on the north side of the square, loaded with wood for the Swallowtail bonfire bursts into flames.
The centaur points at the halfling, the half-orc, and the blue woman. "You three deal with the fire," the centaur says. "Kisper, Gwestiel, and I will head south and check out the screaming. Good luck." With a salute the centaur turns and charges south down the road, followed closely by the elf and the cat-man. The remaining three look north to the fire, and can make out some goblins dancing gleefully close to the flames.
Welcome to the game! We are jumping right into the action. The first wave of goblins have been defeated, but more have arrived and are causing lots of trouble!
Cade, Floredana, and Kargas: your companions from the first fight have headed south to render aid there (and they won't be back, though they might turn up as NPCs), leaving you to deal with the goblins at the north end of the square.
Colvyn, Laurana, Rig: You may have wanted to help out in the first battle, but the crowd was in the way, and by the time you were able to get clear the fight was already over.
For simplicity's sake, Everyone starts with full resources (i.e. spells, hp, etc,).
The Crowd is in the way. There are men, women, and children who present obstacles to your path. They are NOT considered allies, so if you want to move through a space with a civilian you need to either use acrobatics to move through their space or bull rush them out of the way. Most of the crowd is unarmed and therefore they do not threaten. The crowd will move at the end of each round. They will try to flee the scene of combat, and if you are in the way they may attempt to bull rush you! Yes, they provoke when doing so, but do you really want to cut down innocent civilians with opportunity attacks?
The TACTICAL MAP is already set up. You will probably need to ZOOM IN to see things clearly.
Round 1 Initiative:
Red and Yellow Goblins
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana
Laurana
Black, Blue, Magenta Goblins
Rig Veda
Kargas
So... here we go!
The goblin under the jeweler's tent seems to be grabbing things from a table and stuffing them in its mouth. The goblin near the wagon jumps with glee as the wagon bursts into flames. He takes a flaming brand from the wagon and hurls it at the child nearby.
The child screams as it is struck in the face with the burning brand, but the child is still conscious.
Round 1 Initiative:
Red and Yellow Goblins
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana
Laurana
Black, Blue, Magenta Goblins
Rig Veda
Kargas
Cade see this new threat and the danger the pose to the populace.
He turns and looks at his new companions. Drawing his weapons as he moves towards the conflict. His smile is inviting and he winks at the half orc.
Kargas, are you ready to go play with some more goblins
He points towards the goblin on the roof and still smiling.
Flo could you take care of that one. I hate to have to climb up there to deal with him right now. Thank you my lady
as he moves forward he looks back over at the half orc.
and no you will not just throw me up there.
He tries to see through the crowd...
Why don't you little Gnomes come over here and play with someone your own size. Like him....
Cade points at the half orc and smiles again.
The small ratfolk dashes through the crowd, nocking an arrow as he moves. good thing Rankin send me here. The hood of his cloak falls off as he passes a large human woman. She starts screaming and points at him.
"Stop that noise human! I'm here to help!"
Finding an opening in the crowd he is able to find some of the goblins.
Sadly, he is too distracted by the crowd and his arrow fly high above the head of the goblin. Calm down, you trained for this. Just find your center.
Cade runs towards the crowd shouting. He can hardly see anything through the morass of people.
Colvyn runs forward past the crowd. He can see the goblins clearly now. The nearest one looks like it is reaching for another firebrand. The one under the tent is chewing on some jewelry; Colvyn recalls the jeweler was selling holy symbols and religious-themed trinkets.
"You haf ta bite 'em ta fee if vey's reah," it says to the other goblins through a mouthful of silver.
Colwyn and fires off a shot, which tumbles to the ground. Three of the goblins nearby laugh and point.
"Mouse with bow! Mouse with bow! Ha hahaha!"
The far one has not noticed him yet.
Round 1 Initiative:
Red and Yellow Goblins
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana
Laurana
Black, Blue, Magenta Goblins
Rig Veda
Kargas
[dice=Intimidate]1d20 + 7
Laurana watched in horror as her town was besieged my goblins! She surveyed the scene and attempted to make sense of it all. She counted 4 goblins total, that she could see. She focused on the one closest to her. Grasping her bow tight, she dipped into the primal forces of Golarion and spoke the words of magic, shaping them into a tight ball. When the ball was fully formed, she thrust it outward, pointing at her target with her finger outstretched.
More of them? How many are there? This lot is even more vicious than the last! "I'll do my best Cade!" she calls out as she rushes to the edge of the panicked crowd.
A soft white light coalesces around her as she mutters a brief prayer, "Desna, may your divine might guide those who would defend Sandpoint from these things!" At the conclusion of her sentence, a similar aura forms around her allies, or at least those who would defend the townsfolk.
Her eyes turn to the goblin on the jewler's tent. That little one will learn Desna's fury!
________
I got to move, dont want to be run over. She thought to herself as she sought open space and a better angle on the goblins.
_________
Laurana sends a glittering bolt of arcane energy towards one of the goblins. It strikes the one to the east, who screeches with rage. Laurana then ducks around and behind some civilians towards the open space.
Floredana rushes up to beside Cade, and murmurs a few words. Suddenly, the heroes feel full of confidence!
The goblin to the west dashes through the crowd, trying to catch Laurana! "Nasty elf! We bite your ears off! And toes! Make elf ear and toe stew!!" He pulls out a bow and shoots! But his shot sails overhead and the arrow lands skittering on the flagstones of the plaza.
The goblin in front of the tent runs forward and grabs the man by the leg, trying to knock him over! "Longshanks make you fall down! Not so good long legs now, eh? Hahahaha!" But the man shouts and shakes his leg free.
Round 1 Initiative:
Red and Yellow Goblins
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Black, Blue, Magenta (-3) Goblins
Rig Veda
Kargas
Damn goblins are everywhere! Gripping his scimitar tightly, Rig stalks through the crowd. "Outta the way, kid," Rig growls as he moves towards the monster to the east.
The child is clearly terrified and moves to the side, but bursts into tears. Aww, man, I overdid it. While only a momentary distraction, it throws his swing wide.
The goblin easily dodges the sword and laughs in glee.
A fierce joy rises in Kargas as more goblins make themselves known. Gripping his falchion blade-down in his left hand, he strides towards the crowd, right hand reaching back for a javelin. "All of you either fight or get out of my way," he growls, eyes fixed firmly on the goblin capering on the rooftop. He otherwise ignores the villagers--tradesmen and farmers, the battlefield wasn't their place and everyone here knew it. Hefting his missile, he draws back his arm and sends the spear spinning through the air!
As the weapon strikes home the blue-scarred berserker throws his head back in a wordless scream of joy at the visceral thrill of battle. "Try to keep up, Cade!" he laughs, eyeing the distance to the remaining goblins.
Rig brushes past the cowering child and engages the goblin, but misses.
Kargas rushes forwards and hurls a javelin, but the intervening civilians spoil his shot, and the javelin strikes the building behind.
In a frenzy of screaming the crowd parts as they stumble over one another trying to get away from the goblins. Some head down High Street to the south or Junker's Way to the west. Others stream up Church Street to the northeast. A few more head for the doors of the cathedral, hoping to find refuge within.
The man who was attacked by the goblin tries to escape, but the goblin flicks his Dogslicer out to catch him as he flees!
But the goblin stumbles, cursing at the man as he escapes.
Most of the people do not interfere with the heroes, but a few bunch up around Kargas. One tries to push past Cade.
"Out of the way!" the man cries in a panic, as he shoves Cade back.
The goblin on the roof screams down at Colvyn.
"Ey rat-man! We eats rats! Is our favourite! We cook you nice and slow! Hee hee hee heeee!"
Colvyn doesn't relish the idea of being a goblin's dinner, but steels his nerves for the fight.
The rat by the flaming wagon grabs another flaming brand and rushes towards Colvyn, waving it like a torch, and waving the dogslicer in the other hand. "We burn you up good! Ha!"
The goblin who was stuffing his face with jewelry a moment before spits the jewelry into his hand and runs towards Rig. He tries to hurl the glob of medallions and gooey phlegm into Rig's Face!
Round 1 Initiative:
Black, Red and Yellow Goblins
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Blue, Magenta (-3) Goblins
Rig Veda
Kargas
Colvyn takes a step back and with a smile nockes another arrow. He aims for the goblin that so foolishly close up on him and releases. This time the arrow flies true. Hard to miss when they are this close! The arrow bury itself deep into the goblin, blood coming out, staining its clothes. "Ah! This rat ain't going to be anyone meals. Why don't you come down from there you green little t$*@%!" He readies another arrow, looking at the injured goblin, waiting for his reaction.
Colvyn takes a step back and with a smile nockes another arrow. He aims for the goblin that so foolishly close up on him and releases...
The goblin shrieks and sways, but is still on his feet.
Rig slashes at the goblin with the handful of jewelry as it tries to fling it at him. There is a spray of blood and the goblin drops.
Round 2 Initiative:
Black, Red (-5), and Yellow (-7, dying) Goblins
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Blue, Magenta (-3) Goblins
Rig Veda
Kargas
Flo quickly maneuvers around the group of people blocking Kargas, Starknife in hand, and bears down on the goblin trying to close in on the archer. Her knife spinning as she swings it in a wide arc towards it's bulbous head. I'm glad for my training with this weapon, but definitely not my favorite part...
"I'll handle the ones that close in, take out the far ones!" She calls out as she gets near the ratfolk.
As the man pushes past Cade.
Really, like there is not enough room for you to run away like a frighten child?
As he scans the area, he sees that one goblin is down and that two others are in combat already. He moves with purpose towards the one goblin that is not engaged, keeping an eye on the one on the roof.
Hey Kargas, it looks like we have some allies.
As Cade moves past the new allies, he takes in the scene. He points his rapier at the Ratfolk and with a friendly smile.
Hey Jerry, Nice shot! Keep up the pressure. After this is over drinks are on the big guy back there. Do mind the language though please, there are children about.
He moves off whistling a little tune.
Starknife (Bless): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 23 1d4 ⇒ 3
"I'll handle the ones that close in, take out the far ones!" She calls out as she gets near the ratfolk.
Floredana runs up and slashes at the goblin. She manages to catch it in the neck, and it collapses. Cade runs forward towards the melee.
Round 2 Initiative:
Goblins: Black, Red (-8, dying), and Yellow (-7, dying)
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Goblins: Blue, Magenta (-3)
Rig Veda
Kargas
Laurana brought her bow up before deciding against firing at the goblin she had already wounded. It would do her no good to plug her seemingly ally with a misplaces shot. She had never before used a weapon against another sentient being and she was nervous.
Strafing to the west, she found a new target with a clear angle. She inhaled and let her arrow fly. "Stay true" she whispered.
Laurana takes a shot at the goblin further away. It strikes, scoring a minor wound. The goblin begins swearing a streak of curses.
"@#*&%#!!! Longshanks!"
-----
The goblin in front of Rig headbutts Rig in the crotch!
-----
The other goblin takes out his bow and takes a shot at Laurana!
But his shot is so clumsy the arrow goes wide and knocks the other goblin's hat off his head!
"Hey watch it you frog-#@*%-er!!" the goblin screams at his comrade.
-----
Another goblin appears in the second story window of the building. It picks up a flowerpot from the windowsill and hurls it at Floredana!
"Have some flowers for your stinky festival! Ha ha ha ha!"
The flowerpot smashes on the flagstones below.
Round 2 Initiative:
Goblins: Black (partial cover), Red (-8, dying), and Yellow (-7, dying)
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Goblins: Green (cover), Blue (-1), Magenta (-3)
Rig Veda (sickened)
Kargas
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Stalking forward, Kargas growls "Move, jackass," to the civilian in front of him, advancing towards the building there the goblin is still standing. Drawing another javelin, the half-orc takes aim and looses.
With a grunt Kargas hurls a javeline with all his might. It flies up and strikes the goblin on the roof, passing right through him and out the other side, clattering on the rooftop.
The goblin teeters and falls off the roof. It hits the ground and bounces about two feet in the air before coming to a rest with a *splat*!
Round 2 Initiative:
Goblins: Black (-22, dying), Red (-8, dying), and Yellow (-7, dying)
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Goblins: Green (cover), Blue (-1), Magenta (-3)
Rig Veda (sickened)
Kargas
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Ooof! Damn little..." Rig steadies himself as he thinks about how much he needs a codpiece. "Fine, you wanna play mean. Let's get mean."
Rig shouts to those who have stood against the goblin menace. With a booming voice that seems to resonate with their souls, he says,
"These creatures think they are a menace. They show their strength through cruelty, bullying those who cannot defend themselves. But THAT is not us. We are the line that will hold against these foes, for they are not a menace, but a mere distraction." Those who hear his words feel strength and confidence flood them.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Rig straightens up and gives a rousing speech. The goblin in front of him seems surprised and nervous.
Round 3 Initiative:
Goblins: Black (dead), Red (-8, stable), and Yellow (-7, stable)
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Goblins: Green (cover), Blue (-1), Magenta (-3)
Rig Veda - inspire courage +1
Kargas
Civilians, Guardsmen
Also:
Two guardsmen try to enter the square from the west, but find themselves mobbed by the civilians fleeing the town square.
She watched as her feeble arrow found its mark, but just barely. The thing hardly scratched it. Pulling her bow back again, she aimed carefully and felt unnaturally confident in her abilities. However, just as she was about to let go, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a goblin headbutt a man right in his stones. With a slight giggle, she let loose her arrow and new right away that the giggle had cost her her aim.
Laurana's shot goes wide and gets fouled in the awning of the tent the goblin stands in front of.
Round 3 Initiative:
Goblins: Black (dead), Red (-8, stable), and Yellow (-7, stable)
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Goblins: Green (cover), Blue (-1), Magenta (-3)
Rig Veda - inspire courage +1
Kargas
Civilians, Guardsmen
"Jerry?" Calvin looks questionably at the halfling as he moves forward. Relying on the others to deal with the goblins on the ground, he shots the one at the window. "Hey you leihoan, distiratsua opariak batzuk lortu dut zuretzat. Let bidali me bat." With that, he lets another arrow fly. The arrow hits the goblin, but it's not the killing blow he was hoping. "Awww, hura harrapatzeko zure eskuarekin ahaztu egin duzu. Zergatik ez behera etorri, orduan egin nintzen zuretzat"
Cade's shot hits the goblin in the shoulder. It screams a string of curses back.
Round 3 Initiative:
Goblins: Black (dead), Red (-8, stable), and Yellow (-7, stable)
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Goblins: Green (-3, cover), Blue (-1), Magenta (-3)
Rig Veda - inspire courage +1
Kargas
Civilians, Guardsmen
Cade steps up to the Goblin. His rapier flashing back and forth.
Cade steps up to the Goblin. His rapier flashing back and forth.
[Dice=attack]1d20+9
[Dice=damage]1d4+1
Cade dispatches the goblin with a single thrust. It crumples to the ground with a wheeze.
Round 3 Initiative:
Goblins: Black (dead), Red (-8, stable), and Yellow (-7, stable)
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Goblins: Green (-3, cover), Blue (-6, dying), Magenta (-3)
Rig Veda - inspire courage +1
Kargas
Civilians, Guardsmen
"Kargas, that was... incredible!" That makes Jerry's masterful shot look like child's play... Who are these people?"
Seeing several goblins crumble under the return assault, Flo tries to take advantage of the goblin fighting the inspirational man. "That door there may be a better route for you to get to the other one, Cade!"
__________
Floredana circles around behind the goblin and jabs it with her starknife. It screams and flops to the ground.
The goblin in the window starts shouting in a strange language.
"Talde baino gehiago hemen! Ez dago Brankan batekin arratoi bat!"
Some shouting can be heard from inside the house.
Translation: "But the cat will get away!"
The goblin throws another flowerpot at Colvyn. The flowerpot misses by such a wide mark that it strikes one of the unconscious goblins , narrowly missing Kargas!
Round 3 Initiative:
Goblins: Black (dead), Red (-14, dying), and Yellow (-7, stable)
Colvyn
Cade
Floredana - bless expires round 10
Laurana
Goblins: Green (-3, cover), Blue (-6, stable), Pink (-9, dying)
Rig Veda - inspire courage +1
Kargas
Civilians, Guardsmen
"Nicely done, milady!" Rig says, giving the blue lady a nod. "We should be done with these filthy creatures soon." His booming voice rebounds around the now open area.
The remaining goblin shouts something from inside the jewelers.
I sure wish I knew what that little beast is saying. There must be more with him inside.
Rig moves toward the door, staying close to his new-found allies.
I will be away for the next week and will be limited in my postings. I can still post everyday but my post will be limited in content as I will have a limited data plan until I return home.