"That's true. Alright in the meantime, gather the guards, and we'll setup an ambush. Alaya, rally the troops. Adrian, you seem to know a thing or two about fighting, so we'll leave the tactics to you. I'll find some cover or roof for key terrain and then I'll go mobile from there. Cap Nox's goblins are ferocious but not invincible. What say you Gerald?
Rogar looks to Adrian when asked about the bows, "A fair amount of them can use a crossbow, and maybe a pistol, but none have had training enough to use the longbow or shortbow. There's maybe forty men in total. I'd say about half of them can use a crossbow. Maybe fifteen of those own one. The rest can use a quarterstaff or pitchfork, but not much beyond that."
Gerald looks at Roland, "I think you're jumping into things head-first again, boy. We need a plan before we take to the streets." He crosses his arms.
"And lest you forget, it's raining. And wet powder don't fire."
"Hmm.. Well, for now atleast then, as you've suggested, we should arm up. Folks with pitch firms and quarter staffs should be our final line of defense. If we can take em out from afar and outta harms way we should. Good call as always Gerald."
ok but what about light? if its raining fire wont work but i do have a spell that may help if needed. gets up from the chair and pulls out her sword and starts to look at it and says. ok im ready for this she starts to sing a inspiring song.
I don't see the rain interfering too much as long as we are tactic about how we use it. Men who may take arms ensure powder stays enclosed and remember weapon safety. If using a lantern or torch make sure it's hooded. Those who may provide light through magic do so at your discretion and where you deem necessary. If firing ranged attacks, let's find some static posts to use as cover and shoot into the light. Use the lack of light to our advantage, as well as the terrain. The goblins won't now what hit em. Now unless anyone else has anything, additional information to shed we must make haste. For the Nox Goblins are sure to be close by."
"Fifteen crossbows eh? Well thats good. I'm sorry to say this Filmore but the Keg is probably the best place to do things... if they have any sort of reasoning this is the place someone would come, so this is where they'll come looking for their traget here.' Adrian says as he gestures to the wounded man. The crossbowman can go to the second floor and try to take them out as they come at us... if, Alaya wasn't it, he glances toward the young half elven woman if she can set up some lights outside, especially if its sticks or something... you dont actually have to go outside just cast the spell and we can use the windows upstairs to get it around us... I have a few sunrods too five or so i think. Anyway with the light it'll be easier to hit them... I haven't had much experience in the way of goblin killing but the few bands that have attacked have done it at dusk or just after it so we should expect them to have the advantage in the dark. I know Rogar and I will be downstairs... what about the others? Anyone else able and willing to form a defense with us? Oh and Rogar you should probably round up the militia our jobs pretty easy and doesn't need much planning.
"Sound thinking. Gerald and I will stay downstairs as well. I'd like to be here as the final denial line. I'm not one to sit around while others are in harms way. Now if we are all in agreement, shall we commence with the plan?"
Not exactly how I planned to spend my evening. Oh well, tis the life of treasure hunter...
alaya looks at the front door and saysyes it is Alaya illsmiles stay on the first floor i can use my magic and help defend how far do you need my lights to go? looking at Adrian when do you suspect that they will arrive?
I'll set up some fire locations around the Keg at the windows. They'll provide good cover and concealment as well as support for firing."
"I'd say within the hour, the are as swift as they are deadly."
Filmore looks around at the crew, then to his wife and daughter, and finally to the rooms at the back of the inn. He bites his lower lip,
"Aye...you're right. This is the best place in town to make a stand. Penny, Eliza and I will rouse everyone and find those in town who can fight, direct them here and get everyone else away from the shore. Hopefully, we can beat the goblins to it."
"Agreed," says Rogar, "The idea with the lights is a good one, but putting them out front will turn this place into a beacon. The goblins will rush here without a second thought. With the crossbows, we can work that to our advantage."
Someone--a woman--screams outside, a faint sound amongst the rain. It is followed by a series of screams mixed with the yelling and laughter of high-pitched goblin-voices. The loud report of a gunshot rings out, followed by two others.
"Unless, of course, they arrive early."
Grrr... I can't allow more lives to be needlessly slaughtered.
Alright well let's get to it then! I'll get to my post and I'm preparing to fire on the first green SOB in range!
Initiative
Roland hops into action. He takes post up against the wall and window, with his six shooter ready to go.
Those gremlins better have washed their hands, cuz tonight they're dining in goblin hell..
I agree we should take them out as swift as the ocean breeze.
Alaya gives a small chuckle and pulls out her spear. She walks over to door and stays about ten feet away from the door.
Ill be ready for anything that comes through the door. We should also move the wounded man to one of the room.
"Crap, At the very least lets move some of these tables, just enough to give us some room. Ya' know what they say, if you have to fight a lion give yourself room to move."
Adrian looks around before his eyes fall on the wounded man. "Hey you, how big was their ship? Any idea how many me-goblins we could be fighting?"
"we should lay the tables in front as cover also with the chairs too." while staring at the door in the ready position to attack any goblin that comes through the door.
"I'll block the door with a table and bar. Then I'll start firing as they come. I'm ready when you all are."
Gerald sets his crossbow down and says, "I'll take the other window. I agree we should move the tables out of the way. If we do block the door, we'll have to be ready for them to charge the windows."
He moves to a table and begins pushing it to the edge of the room.
Filmore nods his head in agreement with the propositions put forth before turning to his wife and daughter,
"You get the rest of the customers out and away from here. I'll meet you as soon as I can."
Eliza protests leaving her father, but Penny convinces her and takes her away, kissing her husband before she leaves.
Filmore and Rogar both begin helping Gerald move tables and chairs across the room.
The strange man heaves himself up with a grunt into a chair--still clutching the strange leather case--and looks to Adrian, "They were using sloops, and there were at least three of them. I'd say you'll be up against at least fifteen to twenty of the bastards, depending on how they spread out when they get here."
Hmmm... Usually Ive faced only a handful of them. Never too bad. But a squadron may prove otherwise.
"Goblins are scary, but hit'em once and they're usually outta the fight. Eliza, you best leave with the rest. Your services will be needed with them. Filmore, sir, we'll keep you and your family safe. You've my word."
"I will fight by your side til the end." Let us fight til our last breath.
"Don't block the door. When rushing something you tend to move like water, you find the path of least resistance. If they start coming in through the windows some of them will probably get impatient and go to other ones, if they come around back their numbers could overwhelm us."
Adrian looks around before moving one of the tables to a window. "Put enough weight behind the door to make it seem like we're trying to hold it, a chair or two propped up against it or a single table. If we can we should try to block all the windows close to the door that we're not using, make them seem less appealing so that when the door is opened most will just rush it."
Looks like your lesons actually were useful father...
Together, Filmore, Rogar and Gerald begin moving the tables to the edges of the room, and Rogar places a chair under the handle of the front door. Before long, the inn looks rather formidable from where you stand within. The common room is open, perfect for melee conflict, and all but the front two windows have been blocked by tables supported on their edges by chairs.
Eliza and Penny have gone, taking the customers of the inn with them. The only ones who remain in the building now are the three of you, Filmore, Gerald, Rogar, and the strange man, who is still breathing heavily, keeping his leather case close to his chest.
He coughs and calls everyone over to him, waving a weak hand for you to come to his side.
Outside, the sounds of the goblins get louder by the second, and it is clear that they are invading the town with reckless abandon, completely forgoing stealth for rage and gleeful anarchy.
What say you sir? The goblins will be here soon.
You should have gone with the others sir. We can handle this, you're in no condition to be near a battle. Say what you have to say then go to the others." Adrian said some what gruffly. As far as he was concerned the man was a liability at the moment.
"Would you like me to carry him to the back room i would be back as soon as i can also if you guys need my lights tell me where to put them." as alaya starts to pick up the wounded man.
"Aye, that be a fine idea miss."
Good, less liabilities now. We can worry about the problem at hand.
The man shrugs away from Alaya, "Nay. This is my fault. I led the beasts here. I should...they're coming after me. Take this," he offers up the leather case. "See that it gets to Han. I'll do my best to distract the goblins. Maybe I can even lure them away from the town, if I get to my boat. At the very least, I can buy all of you more time to prepare."
With what little strength he has, he stands up and begins hobbling toward the front door, a grim expression on his pained face.
Roland reaches over and takes the case.
"May the sea faring winds guide you sir. Leave these gremlins to us"
"Are you sure? It seems wrong to let you use yourself as a decoy. I'll admit fifteen is a large force but what Roland said was true, a single shot fells a goblin more often then not." Adrian says looking the man directly in his eyes.
"Well we gotta talk about this later, here they are. Get ready."
"Its not right being a decoy plus we may need more information about the package that you brought with you. Also if you dont make it to your boat they will take the town anyways. On the positive side you can make up for the trouble that fallowed you. " Alaya also looks at him in a confused way.
Roland grips his shooter. Eyes gazing out toward the ever so close green colored yellowed eyed demons closing in. One hand up ready to give the signal to attack. He takes a deep breath, bearing all that he has learned in mind and ready to apply.
The man rescinds the offered case, shakes his head and says, "I hope ye're right. If Nox gets what's inside this case...his reputation now is nothing compared to what it will be."
Outside, the goblins laugh and howl with hysterical, bloody fury. You can all see through the two open windows, the inn's light spilling out to reveal the horrifying truth.
"Fight hard so that we can be the ones laughing when this is over!"
"They shall not get the case without going through me and the rest of us. We should wash them away like the seas swift current." Alaya ready's her spear and points out side and says a spell in elven and a light appears.
Initiative
"All hands on deck! Er.. Hands on blade and steel. Prepare for a serving of ball and gun powder!"
The goblins, having seen the light cast outside, rush the inn with renewed vigor, snarling, laughing, and gnashing their teeth. There are maybe twelve of them outside, and each carries a weapon--either a bent and chipped or a pistol.
Roland gazes outward into the dimly lit stormy town. All that can be seen from outside is the silouette of man wearing an odd shapped hat, obscurred by the window. Waiting for the moment to strike. Crack! Crack! Lightning strikes as Roland lets out a cry and fires away at the two frontmost and foul green goblins.
"Rest in peace in hell the lot of ya!"
Your first shot connects, striking the green menace in its tiny throat and sending it to the ground, where dark blood spurts in a rhythmic pattern into the mud. The second shot misses its intended target, and the goblins continue charging forth.
The four leading goblins aim their pistols and let loose a small volley of lead and thunder at the windows.
Their large eyes provide a strong aim. Roland is shot in the shoulder, the bullet tearing through flesh and striking bone ().
Alaya, at the other window, is struck as well by the volley, one bullet burying itself in her side, and the other grazing her neck ().
The rest of the goblins rush the windows with their swords drawn, jabbing and stabbing, but with no success.
"Ergh.. Hey Alaya, I know we got our hands tied a little bit, but could ya help a guy out here?"
Damn Goblins.. Playin with toys not meant fer their kind.
"Damn brutes need to get inside" Adrian mutters before taking a defensive position.
Adrian stands roughly ten feet from the door his large round shield infront of him as if bracing for an attack.