Funny I was looking here and the more I think about it the more that makes sense to me. I had typed this whole crazy thing about AOO and how reach characters/creatures are still protected when approached (so the exception is unnecessary as approaching characters will still threaten unless they slow down) but I'll spare you all that and note that I believe the intention of Pathfinder is to keep rulings from 3.5 such as this intact. In the future 10' should be in all directions and that's that.
I'm not sure why I was thinking it the other way because I remember that from 3.5...I think my IRL rules lawyer got to me a few months ago and I've been over thinking it ever since. You should have gotten a swipe at the Goblin Dog and I apologize. ;-)
On a more serious note, I will NEVER ever ever NEVER rule something in a way that is not both ways. I detest it more than I hate brussel sprouts, and the hate is very very very strong. Rule are for clarification. I'm not in the business of hammering groups (or letting myself get hammered) by technical glitches. We use the rules to play a game, not play the rules as a game. Well my philosophy anyway ;-)
Fort Sv:
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Yeah no need to roll at that point...
GDs
B Vs Cam -
A vs Toshio -
Toshio Damage -
Camillo stabs the goblin dog in front of him but does not bring it down, meanwhile the goblin dog that assaulted Kithian dies in a splatter of viscera as the oracle of Gorum brings the word of his god to the lowly beast.
Kerrec steps back from his assaulting animal and with Rullis lets fly with bolts and lightning and the desperate goblin trying to escape dies in hot sizzling pain as he cooks in rain.
Toshio struggles to bring his swing to bear on the shifty goblin dog that has engaged him. Behind him, Vidar lets fly missles of magic on the dog attacking Camillo and the beast drops a victim of its injuries.
The dog attacking the paladin moves forward to continue its assault which proves to be its last; Reggie, Camillo and Rullis all ready for the barest drop in defenses stab and bite and at the animal and bring it down before it even can step forward to pursue Kerrec.
One lone dog, previously trapped in the corner makes its way to Camillo with a vicious snarl and snapping jaws but Camillo's training and speed on his feet help him evade the goblin dog's bite.
Toshio is not so lucky as his blade swings in the rain and setting sun, the dog bobbing and weaving, the samurai bringing his blade to strike at the beast. In a flash the dog strikes with its teeth as Toshio attempts to pull up on his blade from a swing gone too far and he feels the unclean teeth of the goblin dog sink into his forearm before he is able to pull it away.
Two dogs remain and the rain and action has taken its toll on the yard. Packed dirt gives way to slicks of mud and gunk, making the area difficult to navigate and keep sure footing. Meanwhile a loud thumping sound echoes from the walls of a small out building to the northwest. Loud heaving breathes match the pounding as though something is trying to escape.
Orik stirs barely in his spot as Camillo yells to him. The man seems close to consciousness but certainly in no shape to wield a weapon.
Round 4 Init:
Toshio
Kithian
Camillo
Rullis
Kerrec
Vidar
Goblin Dogs (Poor Bastards)
New map is HERE
NOTE: Effective This round all terrain in the yard is difficult terrain. Adjust your movement and actions accordingly. Rreeeadddyyyyy FIGHT!
"Thanks, Vidar!"
Camillo continues to fight , hoping Desna smiles on him once again.
Attack
Damage
Missing badly and unsure of what is pounding on the door next to him, Camillo decides to back up and give the others a clear shot at the beast.
Toshio grits his teeth at the pain of the dogs bite, but shakes the creature loose and angain attempts to end it's life.
This time, despite the pain, the swing is true as the blade bites deep into the goblin dog.
Hmmm, close combat, I think not. Let those that can handle such things be the ones to do it.
Seeing no enemies outside of melee, Vidar takes a moment to catch his breath instead.
Rullis sloshes through the mud, around Reggie and comes up to the southeast of Camillo. He glances up at the man on the pyre before thrusting his spear along Camillo's left side, jabbing at the mangy dog that he is fighting (Dog B). "That doesn't sound good. I'm gonna get Orik down." he says to the bard as he stabs at the dog.
Orik is bound in a manner best described as "lazily", with what look like about half a dozen lengths of rope of various sizes tied together. Probably of the opinion he would die long before waking, he is not particularly well propped up. A few seconds of cutting with a dagger at a variety of locations would be more than enough to loosen the ropes enough to pull Orik out.
Sadly you fought Toshio this morning, its been a long day for this group already ; )
Kithian moves to cover the door where the banging sound is coming from.
Goblin dogs die by Rullis and Toshio. The banging and heaving from the door seems to diminish with the death yelp of the last goblin dog dying. There is still a distinct sound of snorting and then a whiny not unlike that of a horse.
Kithian makes a strange face then attempts to look inside the building.
Perception:
"A horse...?"
Vidar will carefully move behind Kithian, ready to give covering fire if needed.
Once the goblins and their dogs are surely dead, Rullis moves to examine Orik on the post.
Rullis begins chanting softly after examining the nearly unconscious man. A wave of healing energy washes over everyone, providing welcome energy to Toshio, Kithian, and Kerrec, as well as the man slump in the ropes. It doesn't do much, but hopefully enough to bring him back to consciousness.
Kerrec nods a thanks to Rullis, rubbing the itchy area where the bite wound has mostly closed. He then begins to help remove the unconscious Orik from the pyre while keeping an eye on Vidar and Kithian's examination of the out building.
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Orik stirs but does not completely wake, coughing a small spot of blood onto his lips. Rullis is able to determine that mostly he had been beaten into unconsciousness with blunt objects and hands. Orik going under probably spared him further damage in the long run as surely the next step to his assault would have been broken bones and internal bleedin greater than what he had sustained.
Kithian cracks the door to the building (a shed perhaps?) and is met with the large dark eye of, indeed, a horse. The horse stamps its hooves and snorts in place but does not bat at the doors as it had before. This horse, despite the look of a couple of days of harsh treatment is quite large and similarly powerful. It watches Kithian with a air of wary caution waiting to see what the follower of Gorum will do next.
Seeing his healing gift working, but not quite enough, he doubles down and starts chanting again. He concentrates harder this time and another, more powerful wave of healing energy washes over the group. It brings Kerrec and Kithian both to full health (minus the allergic reaction) and Toshio almost to full. With Orik on the pyre starting to wake up, he warns to Kerrec quickly, "We don't know his intentions, don't release him quite yet."
Looking at the now awaken man, Rullis says in a kind and caring voice, "You are safe now. I'm a cleric of Gorzeh and have just brought you back from the brink of death. It looks like you upset your goblin friends. Can you tell us what happened?" He looks up momentarily at the pouring rain that is running done his face. "And this rain is not my doing, though it is probably a good thing as they would have burned you alive before we got here."
Handle Animal:
"Whoa there big fella.Easy now. Uncle Kithian isn't goin to hurt you. Easy now." Kithian holds his hand out towards the animal attempting to use a soothing voice to calm the animal.
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Orik stirs and awakens, a look of obvious confusion on his face as his senses come to focus in the rain. Looking upon Rullis a glimmer of recognition settles on the man's face.
I know you sir cleric though we have not met. As I'm sure your companion has told you, Orik nods in Camillo's direction, I had intended to turn myself in at a moment opportune to your cause. I was confident that my return to report on Tsuto's death would secure me from questions as I had been sent to spy on him but somehow Nualia saw into my heart. Orik offers a rattling cough after this comment and takes a moment to steady himself.
Looking at the rain and sighing the man continues, Her power has grown and even now she seems more marked by her dark pursuits than before, transformed. She has slipped even further into the maw of madness. Knowing that I had betrayed her she set the goblins upon me. It was their device to burn me I'm sure. Nualia has little time for such things. She seemed hurried and distracted and not by news of Tsuto's death.
Orik licks his lips, I was chained to the ceiling of the great hall with the elf woman. I was beaten upon and branded. Poisoned and flayed. There are more champions here than when I left just last night. The tribes are almost shattered from the assault on the town and those that remain have come here to pay homage and watch the chief, to see that he is worthy to lead. His patron in Nualia ensures his strength and he had the bugbear torture me and your friend for sport and entertainment. I lost my senses not too long after. Is it the same day? Has the weather turned so in but a few hours?
Orik shifts in his place obviously uncomfortable, wearing an expression that is hopeful that you might release him from his precarious binding.
Despite the healing he seems weak and tired. It is clear to Rullis, now that he has a conscious patient, that the man's very self has been sapped. Poison, as Orik mentioned, does seem reasonable which means he would need days of rest or high healing to mend what ails him.
==========
Kithian opens the door wider and steps forward, the lessons of animal training in the woods and on the plain coming easy to his manner, Whoa there big fella.Easy now. Uncle Kithian isn't goin to hurt you. Easy now. The horse flares its nostrils, a classic sign of tension, but allows the half-orc to approach and rest his hand upon the horses coat.
From there the matter progresses quite smoothly as Kithian talks to the horse, altogether a magnificent specimen of husbandry. Certainly male and though tired and hungry the animal is powerful and large. Kithian would need to spend more time to be sure but it is highly likely this horse was groomed for show or for someone of high importance. Combat training is also likely.
Kithian does note in soothing the horse that it bears more than a handful of wounds; burns and slices where ropes where lashed about the beast. Light stains of goblin blood on the floor and on the hooves of the horse tell the tale that though bound, this horse did not come easily and took its share of the goblins in return for its imprisonment.
In its current state the horse is severely malnourished and does not likely have the resources to live much longer without food and water. It is obvious the horse is tired from its outburst against the walls of the shed.
Vidars head whips around and he storms over to Orik.
"Elf woman? Ms Shalelu? Where is she now? do you know?"
Orik offers a slumping sigh and shrug. I assume still in the Chief's main room chained to the ceiling. That is where I saw her last.
Rullis nods to Kerrec, "Cut him down." Turning back to Orik after a quick glance at Vidar, "You appeared to have been drugged or poisoned. I can do nothing about it right now, you'll have to wait until we make it back to town. But for now, you will guide us to the chief's main room. We have come here to save her."
Rullis moves his spear to his off hand and extends his other in an offering of support. "I will help you."
Toshio
As the others investigate the banging shed and Orik's condition, Camillo will move to the door where the fleeing goblin attempted to escape and listen for clues as to what lies beyond.
Perception
Toshio looks around and finds a bucket collecting water from the rain. Talkingsoftly inTian he approaches the animal and lets the horse drink. Greedily. It has had little water at all judging by it's level of thirst. That given, he removes a little of Pharlap's hardtack for the horse to chew.
The animal is in bad shape but will recover if cared for. As It stands, the best we can do is probably introduce him to Pharlap and leave him to guard him outside. They have room to run and plenty to graze on. This is too fine a steed to let perish.
Kithian nods his head at Toshio as he runs his hand over the horses back.
"Good enough until we get done here. Shame what they gobos did to him. I wonder where they got him.
Kerrec listens intently to Orik's story, concern rising as he hears about Shalelu's fate and Nualia's insanity. Addressing Rullis: "Things are quickly spiraling out of control here. I fear that desperation will drive Nualia to do something drastic."
Offering Orik something to drink from his waterskin. "We can put in a good word for you in Sandpoint Orik, especially if we are able to get to Shalelu in time and stop Nualia"
Orik sips the water reservedly and nods, Aye I would appreciate any word on my part. This was not the simple job I signed on for. Orik coughs more and spits a mixture of flem and bile, Be wary of the damn hobgoblin Birdcruncher. His blades are coated in an ichor that poison's what did this to me.
Camillo hears nothing of note.
Kithian takes a rope from his pack and gently places it around the horses neck and turns it into a makeshift halter before leading the stallion out of the courtyard to where Toshio's horse is. "Play nice boys, save the fighting for our enemies."
To Kerrec, "Then we must move quickly."
To Orik, "None of us signed up for this. Fate appears to have destined us for it. It appears your fate is now tied with ours. They destroyed the bridge behind us. The only way out now is to press further in."
Moving away from the pyre, he states to no one in particular, "Be careful when we find the hobgoblin, his blades are poisoned."
Camillo will sheathe his sword and reach to open the door, looking back at the others for confirmation that they are ready - or that they don't have a different plan.
Orik, basically dressed in only the undegarments to his armor ( a rust stained tunic and worn breeches) nods at Rullis' comment about the bridge. With you then As Kithian navgates the horse to the area in front of the fort Orik shakes his head at Camillo, Thats to te tower, some storage and so on. Double doors in the main entrance lead to the Cheif's hall. if you are worried about your friend that is where you should go.
Kerrec hands Orik his dagger. "Until we can find you a blade you are more comfortable with."
Camillo nods. "Odd place for him to flee. We saw the double doors on our way in here. I'm guessing you don't know where your gear ended up?"
"Are there any guards in the tower? Maybe he was going for reinforcements or to sound an alarm."
Wisdom:
"The horse is taken care of." He moves forward and looks at Orik and shakes his head before unslinging his shield and longsword. "Here. Use them well and bring vengance to your foes. Cross us and they will both end up wedged in your arse."
"If Ser Orik is comming with us it only makes sense to trust him. Let us move as one mind in this.
Do you know where your armour might be kept Ser Orik?"
Vidar gives Kithian a clap on the shoulder and nods in aproval at the lending of arms.