"The youngest? I was the fourth. Kizzy was the youngest. She was still here when I fled, about five years ago, but she's gone now. Mama said she left, but she didn't get to tell me any more."
Azorius knelt and bowed his head alongside many others. Desna was a good he could find value in the principles of. As a seasoned traveller and explorer he had said prayers to her more than once.
He had prayed to many gods in his time as the situation and his own goals provided. Even though he was not human one of his earliest memories as a child was when the human deity Aroden died. It was a shame, an ancient Azlanti Archmage who reshaped the world and ascended to the divine promoting civilization. You had to respect a man like that.
But Desna was an ancient deity who had stood the test of time, and that demanded a different kind of respect.
The hush of the crowd grows while all are bowed.
With the information he corrects himself “Right right…Kizzy being the youngest.” he starts to get quieter hearing the loudness of his own voice.
“Let us talk in a moment…” He nods towards the clearly quieting crowd.
Father Zanthus smiles at Rast as he begins the blessing “Oh our Lady Desna, thank you so much for beseeching us this beautiful day in dedication to our newly built temple…”. The majority of the crowd is motionless heads bowed. The music had died out. Only on the periphery of the crowd there seems to be some small motion.
In the beauty of the moment, there is however a feeling, something that begins to feel out of place.
In the wings of the crowd you see lumbering movement. Movement under the stage, movement by the vendors, movement that doesn’t seem quite right. It’s movement of things smaller and shorter than would be expected, animalistic almost.
“…and so, we ask in Desna’s name that this new temple be dedicated to her work!” Father Zanthus exclaims. On that queue, fireworks from the top of the buildings surrounding the square are lit and begin to fill the sky above. Cheers from the crowd begin to erupt.
What pierces the cheer however is the unmistakable blood curdling scream of one of the townsfolk “GOBLINS!!!!!!”. A dozen of them burst into the square, out from under the stage, out from some of the karts, running in from the side alleys. The townsfolk would be slaughtered corralled in the square.
They are everywhere. You can hear on the streets north, west, south and east of here. You’re surrounded. It’s a Goblin Raid on the city and by the looks of it more than have ever dared in the past.
Wyndel listens to the dedication of the new temple of Desna. He had respect for the goddess and her clergy tinged with a little sadness. Desna’s clergy had often traveled through the village and although most were good and kind, they seemed too restless. It was sad that most of them did not know the joy of home and family. At least this new temple would become a home of sorts but it may also become a lure.
How many young people will leave their families to see this site? I hope that Erastil will guard most of them against the seduction of the city and it’s life a laziness. Dreaming does not harvest the field or skin a deer. The butterfly is beautiful as it flies about and Erastil knows that the butterfly’s journey from flower to flower helps growth but not everyone can be a butterfly! How is miss my family so!
Rogar stands stolid and and respectful as he observes the proceedings. Used to lengthy dwarven traditions, this event seems pleasantly brief and the dwarf's somber mood is somewhat lifted by the happy occasion.
His mood takes a sharp downward turn when someone screams. Rogar knows something about goblins.
This is why I'm here. Halda, am I ready?
The Varisian quiets himself, letting the ceremony proceed without him ruining it. His angle on the stage, though, is different than most, and from where he stands, he sees movement, and then the creatures that are moving.
"Goblins? GOBLINS!! To arms!" 'Dada pulls his hidden sap out, wishing he had his blade instead.
Azorious isn't aware of the danger before hearing the voice call out. For the first few heartbeats he spends his time looking around to identify where the wretched little things were.
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Lady Desna, you were right I feel I should be here.
Probably more content then he has been in a long time Rast, head bowed smiles. He chances a peek at the crowd and a low growl escapes his list.
Goblins?
He leaps to his feat ready to jump of the stage to defend the people of this town.
No... no here. Not here.
Kesni’s attempt at talking with Rast proves untimely as the half orc is called to the stage. She shrugs and moves away from the table back towards the fringes of the crowd. As she shoves her way through, the dedication begins in earnest and all those around her kneel.
Standing tall in a crowd of kneeling people allowed her to notice the movement under the wagon she was headed towards. She would know the sight of a fat goblin head anywhere. Her hunter instincts take over and she begins moving towards them. ”Everyone back away from that wagon!”
She is met with only annoyed stares from the crowd.
”I said get away from the wagon NOW! We have goblins inside the walls!”. This caused a slightly larger stir in the crowd. It was just then the fireworks began exploding in the sky and the creatures stormed out from under the wagon at the crowd. Only it wasn’t just from under the wagon. They were everywhere!
Gods help us. These people are going to be slaughtered. She grips her longspear tightly and surveys the square for the best place to strike at the goblins.
Wendyl breaks from his reverie as he notices some movement incongruent with the surroundings. Some might dismiss them as children due to their size but the gait was unnatural and wrong. However, there was something familiar about it.
Erastil! Goblins! Here in the city? These people are trapped like sheep in the pen. They will be slaughtered if they panic. It will be chaos! Erastil! So many women and children. Too many to risk a bow shot.
Wendyl slips on his buckler and tightens the grip on his spear as he makes his way through the crowd towards the largest group of women and children. He whispers a silent prayer that he can reach them before the goblins attack and start a panic.
The goblins appear in the courtyard. As the townsfolk begin to flee you see a dozen goblins standing in different places. You hear them snarling and chanting.
"Goblins chew and Goblins bite. Goblins cut and Goblins FIGHT! Stab the dog and cut the horse, Goblins eat and take by Force!"
The town Militia is being organized by Belor Hemlock, they're moving people out of the courtyard as fast as they can, and attacking those in the side streets.
Belor yells "Kensi! Take the courtyard! I'll get you some men once I get these people to safety!" He draws his sword and begins running into the main street north of the courtyard.
Below you there are a close group of goblins that have just emerged from the stage.
The courtyard is filling with goblins from what you see as the crowd disperses.
Although Rast's swing is very strong, it misses the Goblin who in turn shrieks. "ᛒᚣᛏ ᚤᚮᚢᚱᛂ ᚸᚱᛁᚾ ᛚᚪᛃᚴ ᛗᛁ᛫"
"But you're green like me"
Seeing both Purple and Red groups dangerously close to his isolated position, 'Dada moves to get the Red guys partially blocking any path for the purples before lashing out at the one furthest away from the other threats.
Gudada strikes with his sap at the goblin, missing his strike and almost throwing away the sap. Luckily it was attached to his wrist by a small leather cable.
Kesni approaches the nearest group of goblins menacingly. She snarls as she hefts her longspear in both hands and thrusts it at the first goblin’s stupid grin.
Kesni's attack hit solidly on the little bastard. As the longspear connects it pierces through its heart rendering the goblin lifeless.
The goblins charge in chanting all the way "Goblins race and Goblins jump, Goblins slash and Goblins bump. Burn the skin and mash the head Goblins here and you be DEAD!”
Using their dogslicers they attack, stabbing, slashing and snarling.
One of the goblins screeches at you “You kill Snot! We kill you!”
One solid hit from the dogslicer, those little underfoot green monsters slashes your thigh.
One of the little ones closes his eyes, jumps up and wildly slashes you put your hands up defending yourself, the knife gashes your forearm.
As you focus your attention on one of the incoming attacks you attempt to dodge it, however unsuccessfully they both are able to catch you .
The goblin moves in catching you somewhat off guard, he manages to sink the blade into your shoulder
You manage to avoid the first strike by the first goblin, catching him off guard you succeed in knocking his weapon to the ground with your boot. In doing so the second takes advantage of your maneuver to gash you across the hip.
As the square begins to clear, Wendyl sees the half-orc Desnian bravely engage two goblins. Unfortunately, the goblins seem to have the better of the foolish Desnian.
The city is going to need all the healing it can get after this battle. Erastil knows I can’t let that brave fool die!
Wendyl advances on the goblins attacking the Half-orc and strikes with his short spear.
Unfortunately Wyndel misses the swing, as the height of the goblin is underestimated.
Kesni growls as the dogslicer knicks her. She answers by taking a 5 foot step away from the goblin and driving her longspear at the creature.
Rogar may be a bit unusual for a dwarf, from the perspective of the humans at least, he still knew what to do about goblins.
Halda, here we go!
Heavy pack still bouncing around on his back, Rogar pulls Aevi from her holster at his side and takes a heavy swing at the thing. She sails sleek and true through the air and right into the creature.
"Juggler, I'm comin'!"
Jugglers aren't fighters, right?
Kesni drives again, stabing straight into it's skull, the lifeless creature falls
Rogar's might translates throught the ornate Warhammer. It smashed into the side of the creature before it slumps and drops to the ground in a loud screech.
Rast's rage at being struck comes out, as he swings his great axe downward he splits the goblin in two, both halves falling apart from eachother.
The goblin standing beside Rast screams in terror "Big Goblin Kills!!!!!
The Goblin begins to flee in terror from both Rast and Wendyl provoking an attack of opportunity.
As the goblin in front of him scrambles to get away, Wendyl strikes again with his spear.
Azorious looks at the blood dripping down his forearms and moves back from the goblin carefully towards Wyndel. His hands move before him in arcane gestures as he takes a small piece of cured leather from his spell component pouch and cast Mage Armor.
He then draws his longsword ready for the goblin this time.
Not wanting to let the goblin retrieve its blade, 'Dada stands firm over it, though he swings at the still armed goblin, hoping for the best.
As the goblin scrambles it narrowly dodges the attack made from Wendyl.
Gudada cold cocks the goblin in front of him. The goblin falls to the ground
As the goblin flees in terror, Rast's bloodlust continues as he clips the Goblin in the neck, sending him to the ground.
You hear the battle raging all around the square, occaisionally you hear the rallying words of Sheriff Hemlock. You see in the distance Father Zanthus is healing a wounded militiaman further up the north road. Mayor Deverin has taken up arms with them, and there seems to be an effort to push back the Goblins further up in the town.
You get the sense that taking the square was needed for the Goblins to succeed in their advance. You six stalwart heroes stand between these goblins and the way further into town.
The Goblins , after seeing some of their comrades fall, redouble their efforts and continue their assault. The chant anew "Chase the baby, catch the pup. Bonk the head to shut it up. Bones be cracked, flesh be stewed. WE BE GOBLINS! YOU BE FOOD!!!"
As one goblin is now at your feet unconscious, the one still standing lunges at you trying to bite you as he lost his weapon.
He completely misses you.
Goblins not being the brightest, the little creature rushes in after you.
Not a chance, this dagger is deflected off the armour barrier now surrounding you.
Goblins can be fickle, and in this moment, the Goblin runs away from Kensi and charges directly at you!
He manages to avoid tripping himself on the charge, however misses his intended target.
The Goblin strikes in retaliation for his felled allies.
You easily deflect it with the flat of your Axe.
In their fruitless attack, you feel the tide of the battle shift. They seem to be demoralized.
'Dada swings the sap again, still trying to keep the goblin away from the dogslicer at their feet.
Wendyl drives his spear towards another goblin with grim determination.
Azorious steps back once more now beside Wyndel and Rast. He calls out over the din "To me!"
Raising a hand into the air a shimmering blue light dances around the non goblins around him offering protection for those nearby.
”Oh no you don’t!” Kesni shouts as the last goblin from the group flees. She drops her longspear to the ground and pulls out her longbow as she dashes closer, firing an arrow after the creature.
Gudada misses his attack versus the Goblin, as the little creature dodges underfoot.
Rast invokes the power of Desna and casts Shield of Faith looking to protect himself from the Goblins.
Wendyl misses his attack on the Goblin.
Azorius casts Protective Ward. Runic engravings appear on the ground around Azorius in a 10 foot radius. The air above it begins to crackle with energy as small motes of arcane float in the air above.
Kesni , living up to his reputation as a Goblin hunter, sends an arrow sailing throught air, piercing the Goblin through the throat right as it completes it charge at Rogar.
After Rogar dodges the charge from the now dead Goblin he move towards the nearest group of Goblins. Unfortunately he misses his swing.
---
The Goblins continue their attack, their morale beginning to wane.
The Goblin continues his attack versus Rast.
The Goblin misses Rast.
The group of Goblins coming from the west join combat, “Attack the scruffy one! Delicious eats!”
All three Goblins miss the Cleric.
The Goblins sees you approach and pokes out at you with a dogslicer
He connects gashing you in the chest
The Goblin rebounds from his dodge and attacks at Gudada again
The Goblins retaliation strike is ineffective.
Azorious swings his longsword at the goblin .
Azorius' attack is just a little slow to hit. The Goblin is able to shift around the attack.
As Kesni drops another goblin and the dwarf it was charging at runs off, Kesni trains her sights on a goblin in battle with a performer. She makes another dash forward and makes an attack to the performer’s aid.
Gudada grumbles at himself as he does what is required, despite his own distaste for the act. He picks up the dogslicer at his feet and goes t cut the throat of the unconscious goblin next to him.
The Varsian adjusts around the goblin, trying to avoid getting in the archer's way.
Although he is disappointed in his ability to dispatch the goblins, Wendyl is satisfied that he has drawn the attention of many of the goblins. Better his hide than the others. Hopefully, his spear will strike true this time.
Rogar takes another swing with Aevi, but clearly the excitement of combat is too much for the old dwarf. Perhaps he needs to remember that he's a wizard.
Kesni's attack narrowly misses the Goblin. The arrow sails past it startling the little green abomination.
Gudada nails the Goblin in the head it screams out "Owwwwww you hit me in the head...who does that!"
Rast's attack misses the intended target, the Goblins can be fast underfoot.
Wyndel's attack narrowly misses the target. They seem to have experience versus spears.
Rogar takes a mighty swing with his warhammer, however it falls short of connecting.