Tardek's bomb immolates the already singed goblin, its fiery blast hurls bits of rock and shrapnel about the stairwell. The warchanter deftly evades most of the damage, but with no allies and being heavily wounded, things look grim for her. However, as Tardek tosses the bomb, the wiley goblin lashes out with her whip, wrapping it about the half-orc's ankle and tries to pull him off his feet.
The alchemist barely retains his footing despite the goblin's fiercest of efforts.
Dehrisan's cursed glare causes the goblin to stumble and falter as Flitter moves in to try to find an angle to peek around the stairwell.
Ansruath moves to the last living goblin and swings his blade.
Ansruath starts up the stairs and takes a practiced swipe. It looks as though the warchanter will evade, but because of the witch's jinxing stare it falters and is disembowled. It's remains drip thick, dark, goblin blood about the stairs. With the boisterous combat over once again your ears are filled with the muffled cries for help of those locked in rooms on the floor above, though thankfully it looks as though the flames licking the walls will die out if not continually fueled by torch wielding goblins. Off in the distance the clamor of battle continues, though those with keen ears can tell that matters seem to be settling down now that the shock and chaos have subsided.
Ansruath looks back towards the group that he was helping fight these beasts than says in a loud voice "Neighbors I think all the goblins in this building are dead but others might still be around town. Should we help the wounded or go look for more goblins to stop them? Also should we look at these goblins bodies to see where they came from?"
Dherisan releases a heavy and looks towards Ansruath.
By all means, loot away Ansruath. We need to see about the survivors here before moving on, so you ought to have time.
Dherisan shakes his head as he moves through the inn looking for anyone who may have survived the goblin's assault, his capacity for levity now exhausted.
Hello? Are there any survivors? he calls.
Ansruath looks at the other half-elf than says in a calm chilly voice "I said search where they came from not loot their bodies. If you put words in my mouth again neighbor you will not like what happens." Ansruath than cleans his blade of the goblins blood so he can start to look for survivors.
Numerous cries for help answer Dehrisan's call in muffled voices from the second floor.
"They've locked us in the bed-chambers! A man's voice is filled with exhausted relief. "Please get us out of here. Some of the others are wounded. My wife managed to escape. I need to find her - she has my babe! And my boy in here, I think he breathed in some smoke! Hurry, please. He pleads"
Ansruath kneels downs to rip off the emblem from warchanter than he goes to one of the goblins who wielded a torch and rips off it's emblem as well. He also notes the difference in skin tone once this is done he goes to where the voices are coming from and says "Neighbor your wife is fine she is the one who told us to find you."
"Oh, thank Desna, sir. The ugly one with the whip, she made us get in here locked us in. She must have taken Ameiko's keys from behind the bar. We're most grateful for your help; all of us."
You find the voice to be coming from one of the bedrooms atop the stairs. Several other cries for help from behind several doors as you climb up. There are perhaps a dozen people trapped in all, by the sounds of it.
Exhaling sharply, Flit pulls his wide brimmed hat from his head, before pulling a clean square of cloth from his pocket and beginning to wipe the sweat and soot from his face. Glancing towards Ansurath, he snorts softly.
"Battle has your blood up boy. Best you go outside and dunk your head in a rain barrel to cool off. Threatening Dehrisan is not a good idea. We worked well together today, all of us. Now you don't want to be the loose thread in the pattern do ya? Don't wanna be the one who ruins it with threats." Shaking his head softly and sighing, Flit begins to grumble about the stupidity of youth.
Moving upstairs, Flit begins to start opening the doors to free the trapped Prisoners.
Within minutes Flitter has all of the hostages free. Most repeatedly express their gratitude and offer to ensure that any in your group will never be thirsty should you happen upon them in a tavern. Others promise rewards as well, as many are shopkeepers by trade. The greater majority cannot leave with enough haste after offering their sincerest of thanks however, as few wish to remain in a place after dealing with such a nightmare as being nearly burned to death by goblins. The man who called out earlier stays behind, his boy, perhaps ten years of age, limp in his arms. He looks worried as he approaches the majority of your group.
"Do any of you know doctoring? I think he's breathed in some smoke. [He holds out the frail child.]"
Dherisan frowns as he looks over the child, placing a hand on it to feel the rise and fall of its chest. "I'm afraid most of my experience with children comes from birthing them, but I'll see what what I can do." Dherisan examines the child, trying to ascertain its condition and how to best help it.
Heal Check:
Flit escorts those that are leaving to the front of the Inn, where upon he catches sight of a young man, no older than 16, looking lost and confused, striding over to him, he tugs on the lads arm to spin him around.
"Here Lad you are all right. Don't be fretting. The first time thing like this happens, it shakes a man up inside. Here though I need you to swallow that for the moment." Reaching in to his coinpurse he pulls out two gold pieces and holds them up so the man can see. "Two gold pieces lad, that is all I can offer ya at the moment. I need you to run get the Sheriff and the Mayor, when they are free, and tell them to come to this here in. You getting me? Come back after you find them, if you have nowhere to go and me and you will sit down and have a nice long drink. Then, I'll teach you how to protect yourself. Right? Right! Good lad. Off ya run!" Giving the boy a push to start him going, Flit returns to the Inn, looking around.
"Mistress Ameiko?" he calls, staring around the body strewn room.
Ansruath looks at Flit than says "Than tell our good neighbor not to doubt my honor and say I will take from the dead instead of help others but I will go clean up I look like I was dumped in blood." He than goes outside the building to clean himself up.
"We are going to take from the dead. They are dead, they do not need what they have. And what these dead here have ain't theirs in the first place. We are gonna strip these corpses clean then we are gonna give what we find to the owner of this here Inn. They destroyed it, they can pay to fix it!" Grinning gloomily, Flit scratches his head softly. "I understand your reservations against doing such a thing but we have to be practical. They were a hostile force intent on killing every person they could get their hands on. I think that means their ill begotten gains are forfeit, don't you?"
Ansruath thinks for a moment than says "Profiting from the dead is fine but our good neighbor said it as if all I worried about was their gains. I am worried about where they came from because there might be more of them. But it is all fine now we have to help these people."
"Yes, sir. Right away. And...thank you, again. [His face flushes - be it the excitement of the coin, the promise, or simply gratitude for being able to live another day.] It may take a w-while to find them with all of what's going on though. [He bows his head again as he backs out and races off.]"
There's no answer to Flitter's call for the owner of the Rusty Dragon, though luckily nobody spots any non-goblin remains amidst the wreckage. Hopefully she was out and about when everyone was herded up to the second floor of the tavern.
"Don't worry yourself about that for the moment Friend Ansurath. We will hunt down these creatures lair and make sure none of them can come again. We can take them by surprise and have them trussed up and before the Magistrate in no time!" Nodding softly, Flit pats the man on the arm before pushing him out the door. "Go wash. You are covered in gore!" Laughing softly, Flit moves back in to the Inn, heading towards Tardek and Alyoma.
"M'Lady Alyoma, how are you fairing? And you Tar? Still alive I see. Must make sure to 'accidentally' shoot you in the back, next time! Grinning, Flit pats the Half-Orc on the arm. "Made it through another one old friend and haven't lost any civilians on our watch yet. A good day yes?"
Dherisan begins channeling healing magic into the limp body of the child, not taking his eyes off it as he speaks to Ansruath in a disinterested tone. "I apologize if I mistook your intentions. This situation has put me at unease, and it I may be projecting my frustrations."
He looks up to the man holding the boy. "I've done what I can for the time being. This child needs fresh air immediately, but, that provided, he should recover. Take him outside - there is a guard there who should be coming to. We'll have our fire-flinging friend bring him to his feet, and he ought to be able to escort you to safety. I know of some herbs nearby that should give your baby an extra edge against the smoke. Find me tomorrow at - well, I suppose the Rusty Dragon won't do any longer - find me outside the cathedral, and I'll give you what I can gather tonight."
Relinquishing the child to its parent, the witch allows himself a moment to recover, a long sigh escaping his lips before he turns to face Flit. "So far so good, but I don't think we're finished yet. The goblin - the one with the whip... She implied some kind of scheme, and goblins aren't known for their bravery. That these creatures persisted against such overwhelming forces concerns me. They've got a purpose here beyond plunder or carnage, and we need to find out what that may be."
'A good day indeed my friend. Well, as far as suprise attacks from goblins go.' Tardek brushes himself down as he speaks, he is covered in splotches of dust from clambering through the rubble and dislodged by his last bomb, but otherwise clean and is soon immaculate in his white shirt, which he rolls up the sleeves off. However he sees that Dehrisan is checking over the health of the townsfolk, and leaves him to it, turning back to Flit.
'Well, at least we may get the offer of a free bed for the night,' he says looking out of the large hole in the wall.
'You may be right, Mr. Dehrisan. This was most unusual. Even in their clanholes goblins tend to run rather than fight when outmatched. I also notice that Ansruath has the insignia of two different tribes. Different tribes working together can only mean one thing,' he says gravely. 'They've gotten themselves a warlord.'
Tardek walks out side to check on the guards. Seeing a small group of villagers around the poor man, he shooes them back. 'Give me some space please. I'll need bandages, thread and needle.'
When the villagers fetch the supplies, Tardek leans over the man's wounds and sets to work patching him up and recuperating him.
Heal: DC 15 to give back hp.
Nodding softly, Flit hops up on to the bar and sits there, taking a Cigar from his pocket and lighting it off a still smoldering piece of wall. Sticking the Cigar between his teeth he nods softly. "Aye. A Warleader. And a strong one at that!"
'Certainly more persuausive than the last one. He had barely half a tribe at his service. No. This warleader is strong indeed to hold disparate clans together. They weren't even infighting before we arrived. That speaks of the terror they feel for thier new warleader,' Tardek speaks solemnly, a frown on his face as he contemplates the implications of what they have learned.
Coming back in after washing himself Ansruath says "Not persuasive neighbor powerful. They came in here expecting to win and if we were not here I believe they would of. Whatever this warlord is it is something not to take lightly."
"A new warleader is likely, my companions, but let us not overlook what that (Varisian language slur) said," Alyoma interjects. "They have some sort of plan, and others of these goblins may be still carrying it out. We must continue rooting them out, and not rest on our laurels. Who is with me?"
Alyoma steps back into the street, and listens for the sounds of strife.
"You'r a kind man, sir. We are in your debt. I must find my wife and my babe now, she's sure to be worried to death about me. Are the streets clear in any way?"
"Oh, I thought for sure I'd be at the gates of Pharasma's Boneyard today. [He groans as he tries to pull himself to his feet and falters a bit.] Did you take out the whole lot of the little freaks?"
'We did indeed sir. Into inn now, and lie down on one of the long tables. You need to rest for a bit.'
'That was what I was implying Ansruath. Goblins don't pay much heed to pretty words,' Tardek nods at Alyoma's suggestions and follows the Varisian outside.
'Do you hear something?' he asks before trying to discern the situation himself.
"To that, I'm afraid I cannot speak. We dealt with a few of these creatures in the town square before coming here. We've triumphed at the Rusty Dragon, but I can offer no assurances of the rest of the city. We can at least escort you outside though, the immediate area should be clear enough, and your son needs air." Dherisan beckons the man to follow as he reloads his crossbow and starts down the stairs, joining Alyoma outside. "What's the situation look like?" he asks in Varisian.
"What the hells... Why not?" hopping down off the counter, Flit grabs his still loaded Crossbow, and heads after Alyoma. "Lead on Mistress Alyoma. Let us find some Goblins to kill!"
Ansruath follows the doctor outside than says "I am with you Miss Alyoma. What will the plan be if there are more of these beasts neighbors?"
"The cathedral, then...tomorrow. [He nods in confirmation.]"
Following Aloyma's direction the group quickly approaches to where the sorceress had heard the man call for help. Everyone can clearly make out the shouts as the party draws closer to the trouble along with manic laughter. The sound of quick footfalls are heard above, and as eyes turn up you all see a couple of goblins on nearby rooftops, bows drawn, crazed smiles about their faces. Along the ground at an intersection up ahead, another goblin races by, down the ally from where the cry for aid originated.
Dherisan takes a potshot at the goblin on the nearby rooftop before ducking behind the building.
"I might be able to ensnare one of them in an enchantment, get it to tell us what it knows. Keep an eye out for a leader, and keep me covered while I get in range."
Attack Roll:
Damage Roll (if hits):
Round 1, Init 11
Tardek nods in agreement with Dehrisans plan and moves down the alley at a jog. He ducks to the side, turning to hurl shrapnel at the archer atop the roof.
vs. P6 AC.
Round 1 FIGHT!, Init 7
Ansruath says "I will try to kill off the weaker ones might I also suggest that our ranged fighters climb to the top of the buildings to get better view?" He than charges after the goblin that turned the corner.
Round 1 / Initiative 26
Swinging his crossbow sky ward, Flit takes careful aim at the Goblin Dherisan had shot at.
Watching his bolt hit home, Flit moves to the wall and begins to climb.
Flitter and Dehrisan let loose a small volley of bolts and, while the half-elf's goes wide the halfling's strikes true, catching the snarling cretin in the stomach. Flitter scuries up the wall, which luckily is made of old, knotted wood making it a bit easier.
The wounded goblin snarls and unleashes a shot down at the Halfling before moving further back on the rooftop out of sight.
It cheers in goblin as its shot connects, however feeble the wound.
The second archer on the nearby roof takes a shot at Ansruath, before likewise moving back safely out of sight.
Up ahead another goblin comes into view, racing atop rooftops and attempts to leap a gap.
It clears the leap and immediately turns to take a shot from it's bow, aiming for Ansruath in the party's front line.
Two arrows strike home on the warrior, noticably wounding him as they spill blood down his leg. From down a couple of alleyways up ahead the party is clearly able to hear a man begging for help, followed by the quick and pained yelp of a dog and the chortled laughter of goblin mirth.
Grunting in pain, Flit glares up at the Goblin. "I'm coming for you beastie!"
Round 1, Init 7
Alyoma looks at the crowd ahead, and again listens to the goblin's calls.
"A few come with me," she says, and runs down to the next alley.
Gorgoron brings his borrowed staff up before him and tightens his grip."Enough of this, dark-dwellers! When you chose to attack these people, you chose only capture or death! Surrender now, or meet your fate!"
The Goblin at H5 is 10ft up and shouldn't threaten me (ditto as he's using a range weapon), so Gorgoron won't be flanked in this position (unless the Gobby pulls out a longspear I guess.
Alyoma zips around the side of the building, catching sight of a ladder up ahead. As she passes around the side of the building, further down the alleyway she is able to spot a man scrambling along the ground, dressed in noble's garb. He pleads for help as a goblin wearing leather and wooden armor riding atop what appears to be a disgusting cross between a giant dire rat and a canine cuts down his guard dog in one deft swipe of a halberd crafted from dross and rubbish. Gorgoron and Ansruth rush up and around the corner to come face to face with a goblin raider, wielding another one of those small, shoddy swords, with an ally further ahead. There is a booming explosion as Tardek's bomb misses its target, but the goblin is still caught in the blast radius and attempts to dive aside, and gets badly singed and cut do to a hail of shrapnel.
The goblin nose to stomache with Ansruath takes a wicked swipe while his compatriot charges forward to attack the dwarf beside him. A third goblin warrior runs down the alleyway grinning as he wildly slashes about with his blade, charging at the sorceress.
All three of the ugly runts manage to hit nothing but air as they snarl and laugh with insane glee.
Round 2, Init 7
Ansruath puts on his grim mask once again in combat and swings at the goblin in front of him.