
Aidan Ayrvar |

Aidan curses at his brother's advance. He wished the cat could resist a taunt. He squinted at the distance, and cursed again. He wouldn't be able to make the shot.
That's when he saw the bigger thing readying his sword. A moment of indecision gripped him- if Erastil smiled upon him, perhaps Deadeye would see fit to speed his shot to it's target. Then, perhaps not, and his time was precious.
I don't know if we're playing with called shots.
If we are, Aidan moves to h11, loads his sling, and looses a hailmary called shot to the sword arm of "B", 1d20 + 1 - 2 - 6 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 2 - 6 = -31d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0, missing even the square.
If we are not, Aidan runs forwards to s11. If he can't run, he double moves to o11.

Pluchak del Oktar |

Problem with map: I am in g-h squares since they are not occupied at the beginning of the round. I will move 80' with the run option which will take me to w-x provided that Abbas moves forward in the round (which he should). This should account for my whole round, AC is still 11.
Pluchak ran forward toward the goblins, hoping he would be able to get there in time to get some blood on his spear. It was a brand new spear, and was never really used before. It needed some good blood on it to break it in. Pluchak had never actually fought goblins before, or really been in anything but a bar fight, and so it made his blood race with the excitement of a new danger.

Taedric Starfell |

Taedric winces as the arrow strikes him and then snarls, "Well, a promise is a promise...", bringing Trumps up to speed to charge the goblin directly in front of him, striking the fellow marked by the dancing lights. As he withdraws his lance from the wounded goblin, he mentally shifts the spinning balls of light to the goblin behind his target with a wicked smile.
Full-Round Action: Charge to P8 (Lances are reach weapons)
Attack (Lance): 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 25 {+3 base, +2 charge, +1 hatred, +1 higher ground (mounted)
Damage (Lance, charge): 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9
The dancing lights description seems to indicate that you move them with a thought (eg - free action), so it seemed worth doing)

Seneca Lucianus |

Round 2
Seneca shakes his head at his poor shot and reloads his crossbow while moving forward closer to the goblins. m8
AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15. . (+5 armor, +1 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 10/10
Weapon Equipped Ranged Crossbow, Light +1 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Buffs Mirror Image (1)
Realized, I can't have shield and crossbow up without penalty, so have the shield away

Taedric Starfell |

AC 15, Touch 10, Flat-footed 14 (include -2 from charging)
CMD 13
Hit Points: 9/12
Location: P8
Weapon Equipped: Lance +3 (1d6+1/x3) {Piercing, Reach, Double damage on Charge}
Trumps:
AC 14/10/12 (includes -2 for charging)
CMD 14 (18 vs. trip)
Hit Points: 17/17

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Aidan, did you hex the Paizo site? I had a nice long narrative written that sadly featured massive damage to Thurzhan, but the forum monster ate the post and I am not going to make you accept my word for it. :) So I will redo the narrative in a few hours and hopefully your feline friend gets better luck on take II.

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Called shots are fine.
Aidan sees his friend moving toward the murderous humanoid and his mind races for a way to help him, he scrambles forward on the steep embankment and launches a stone at the brute. The wind, the distance, and perhaps Erastil himself prevent the stone from finding its mark.
Taedric continues his charge and the goblins expression changes from fear and menace to nothing in a moment. It is almost enough to make him feel bad. Except that there is that arrow he took a moment earlier. And this is a goblin after all. The lights that encircled the fallen goblin now do the same for the one that stood behind him.
Abbas continues his charge.
As Thurzhan leaps forward his target raises his shield and then the impossible happens. The humanoids muscles bulge and he absorbs the impact and pushes back, with Thurzhan denied his chance to rend the humanoid. The creature realizes his advantage and swings with his sword, trying to stop the cat cold. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 131d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 His luck doesn't hold though, and his sword bounces off the "false hide".
Seneca and Pluchak move closer to the action.
The goblins remain unsure of what way the fight will go, but for now their resolve holds. The one in lights moves forward and drawing its sword and dropping it's bow it advances on Trumps. Taedric, please take an AoO Assuming he lives...He waves the sword with menace at the wolf and then suddenly lashes out. 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 151d4 ⇒ 3
The remaining goblins both launch an arrow at Taedric, 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d4 ⇒ 2 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d4 ⇒ 1 Both arrows find a place in his flesh, perhaps in retribution for what had been done to their kin. Taedric takes 4 points of damage.
Top of the rotation again...

Seneca Lucianus |

Round 3
Seneca advances again with his reloaded crossbow and fires at the rearmost goblin.
Advance to q8.
Attack 1d20 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 1 - 2 - 4 = 7
Damage 1d8 ⇒ 5
He groans with frustration as his misses again.
AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15. . (+5 armor, +1 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 10/10
Weapon Equipped Crossbow, Light +1 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Buffs Mirror Image (1)

Pluchak del Oktar |

The huge half orc lumbered down the road, wondering if he would ever get there. He was also wondering how all his friends got so fast. He would have to practice his sprinting. He remembered being better at it. He finally got within range and stopped, sweat pouring off of his brow.
Again, last in the order, but its okay. I will still get to go before they do. Pluchak moves to M-N provided Abbas moves forward (I am assuming he does). His long spear now threatens P,Q, and R for one attack of opportunity. In case that happens... 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 and damage 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11

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Abbas slows his sprint down to fighting pace and moves quickly up next to the sabretooth, taking advantage of his forward momentum to charge the hobgoblin with his staff aimed at its chest like a lance.
Move up to P8, Charge attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24, Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
That blow should have felled a wild boar!
Abbas

Taedric Starfell |

Round 2..
Taedric smiles as the light-marked goblin begins to panic and rushes him, bringing up his lance to strike the little monster as he closes.
Round 3...
Taedric says loudly, "Finish this one off, Trumps, and I'll get that one.", the swirling balls of light flaring an angry red and shifting to the next goblin in line. He drops his lance and pulls out his Lucerne Hammer to strike at the distant goblin.
Lucerne Hammer (vs. goblin in S9): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 15 {Base, +1 higher ground, +1 hatred} for 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
(I'm glad he's using a shortbow and not a shield, that might connect...)
Trumps (vs. goblin in R8): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 .. and trip attempt (free) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Move action: Draw Lucerne Hammer
Standard action: Attack Goblin in S9 (reach)
CMD 13
Hit Points: 5/12
Location: P8
Weapon Equipped: Lucerne Hammer +3 (1d10+1) {Reach, Piercing/Bludgeon, Set against Charge}
Trumps:
AC 16/12/14 ; CMD 14 (18 vs. trip) ; Hit Points: 17/17

Aidan Ayrvar |

He hides behind the little-wall, but no turtle has been yet born that would spite Tkurzhan, and this creature shall have no better luck. With a growl, Tkurzhan rears up to his full height, crashing upon the one-claw turtle-arm with all his weight.
Full attack. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 161d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 221d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
q9.
AC=16/13/13
hp=14/14.

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As the goblin rushes Taedric, he simply puts himself on the lance that Taedric holds up. The wound is not fatal though, and momentum carries him forward to slash Trumps, cutting the wolf.
Aidan leaps from the steep surface and begins racing toward Thurzhan.
When Taedric switches weapons, he easily fells another goblin. Trumps, surprised by his wound, grabs the small creature and shakes him breaking his neck.
The end of Abbas staff knocks the hobgoblin a jarring blow, and though he does not kill the creature, he creates more than enough opening for Thurzhan to. With deadly precision the hobgoblin is threshed.
The remaining goblin sees the way this is going, and scampers for the undergrowth as quickly as he can.
Trumps 3 points of damage. Unless anyone gives chase, this combat is over.

Aidan Ayrvar |

Even as Tkurzhan's claws rend flesh, he knows his opponent is felled. With a sniff, he whips his head level with the fleeing Goblin, covering the distance in a few easy bounds, ripping it to tatters in a viscious display. Charge 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 161d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Aidan arrives at the scene even of breath.
Are any thee injured beyond nature's mend?

Pluchak del Oktar |

Pluchak dives into the brush after the goblin, but it is too quick for him and escapes into the weeds. After all that running, it just is going to get away? The enormous half orc roars in frustration and spits a gooey wad into the weeds after the fleeing creature.
Acid splash 1d20 ⇒ 6 touch attack.
1d3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5 (Pluchak gets +2 for each dice of Acid damage and a +1 for having an acid flask as a focus. If you don't want to use this rule which is pretty obscure, just drop the damage one to 1d3+2.) Not like I hit him anyway.

Taedric Starfell |

Will attempt to have Trumps dodge the blow that hit him due to Mounted Combat Feat.
Dodge Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 ... I'll assume that fails, since it's not above Trumps' AC
Mounted Combat
Once per round when your mount is hit in combat, you may attempt a Ride check (as an immediate action) to negate the hit. The hit is negated if your Ride check result is greater than the opponent's attack roll.
Taedric prepares to give chase, but lowers his weapons when he sees the remaining goblin felled by his companions. He sighs, checks on Trumps then reaches down to scoop up his fallen lance.
"Trumps and I could use a spot of healing, if you have some to spare. It seems old racial enmities cut both ways."

Aidan Ayrvar |

Aidan clasps his hand around a lock of holly, resting his staff in the crook of his arm. The stem glows white, and with his other hand, he touches Taedric's deeper wounds. Blood and dirt boil out as flesh stitches flesh, and the arrow slides out with a POP.
The worse injuries are thine, friend. Your brother will hold, I am sure, to camp, and I shall bandage his hurts for nights work.
Heal 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Taedric Starfell |

Taedric nods and smiles, "Indeed he will. The scamp often teases me that he's tougher than I am. Thank you for your aid, Aidan."

Aidan Ayrvar |

But of course, the druid replies as he lays his staff flat on the ground. Hr crouches next to the hobgoblin with a whispered prayer, then rummages through his pockets.
It's possible such a creature had marching orders, or perhaps a marked map, or even some magical trinkets.
Tkurzhan can be seen in the background, curiously assembling the goblins by the side of the road and reuniting them with their weapons. 1d2 ⇒ 2 He grips a bolt loosely in his mouth after a quick sniff of the shaft and pads over to Seneca, dropping the missile at his feet, then returns to his work.
The goblins were dragging something- what was it?

Pluchak del Oktar |

Pluchak turns around and sees his companions mending up and he is a bit relieved. The first combat turned out fine, but he didn't get to do all that much. Next time would be better.
Well, we might as well take their weapons with us. No use letting them rust out here. But we should be on our way soon. The sooner we can finish our quest, the better it is for the village.

Aidan Ayrvar |

Goblin's weapons are their livelihood, violent as they are. I would not deprive them of their trade in the afterlife.
Aidan gestures to the goblins Tkurzhan has arrayed beside the road.
Thy help is welcome to set them resting.

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Abbas walks over to the last goblin, the fleeing one and stares down at the body with the burnt hole in its back and rent claw lines through all that cheap armour.
sigh
Behind him the others chatter away over the remains. The warrior grips his staff tight and waits for the sign to move on.
Abbas moves over to the ridge to see what they were pulling.

Pluchak del Oktar |

He looked at the bodies arranged by the road and shrugged. Their weapons didn't look all that valuable anyway. The work mostly done already, he grabbed a goblin by its over sized head and flopped it in line with the others. The dead goblin seemed to grin at him with its wide mouth. Pluchak grinned back at them. They didn't seem all that unpleasant anymore.
In fact, he quite liked them this way.

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The hobgoblins pockets are a nasty bit of business. What may be some partially cooked chicken, 15 gold pieces, 22 silver and 6 copper, along piece of string, a bloody bonnet, and a broken pipe are the contents.
Abbas finds what the goblins were dragging... A large net, weighted, much as a fisherman might use.
The groups appraisal of the goblins equipment is sound. The value is only scrap. The hobgoblins things are as step nicer though, and though studded leather could suddenly use some repairs, the small steel shield and long sword are perfectly serviceable though.

Aidan Ayrvar |

Interestingly, Aidan throws the chicken, the bonnet, and the coins to the path. Tkurzhan smells the chicken, but simply sniffs at it before turning away.
Aidan coils the long string around his hand and tucks it into his pouch, along with the broken pipe. I assume you mean smoking pipe.
If none object, Aidan rolls and folds the net, adding it to Tkurzhan's pack. He looks pale from the exertion of such a simple exercise, and leans on the cat for a spell, who purrs.
Obviously well before he has recovered fully, he sets to work burying the dead, assuring their condition each with a swift stab to the heart.
If anyone has a shovel, he asks to use it.

Taedric Starfell |

Taedric watches his companions and tries to keep his expression neutral, They do not deserve burial, they should be left for the crows! How quickly these forget the true evil face of goblinkind! He stops a moment as he remembers the hard lessons he was taught by Stin, the old knight's voice chiding him gently for his wrongheadedness. You're right, Old Knight. None of these probably saw the horrors of the war first-hand -- the goblins included -- and a cavalier must always strive to be better than his foes, else he is but a thug on a mount.
He dismounts for a moment to check Trumps' injuries, and buries his face in the wolf's fur for a moment, allowing a wave of comfort to wash over him, before standing straight once more. He turns to his companions and says, "I cannot help but think that this net was a part of something more sinister -- something we should probably investigate and, with a bit of Desna's blessing, prevent. Perhaps we should pick up our pace to the herbalist so we can return to this before the trail grows cold?

Pluchak del Oktar |

I have to agree, we do have business to attend to that may be more pressing than this. Burning is probably the quickest option if we want to dispose of them properly. I hear they like fire anyway. It also might be best that we do it to keep them from coming back if there is a undead problem around.
The large half orc shrunk back to normal size as he made his statement. He really wanted to please the Lady of the Tower with a quick and successful errand. But he also wanted to please his new friends as well. They were reliable, much better than the type that spent most of their times in the tavern.
Also, they didn't seem to fazed by his growth like the villagers were in some places he had been, perhaps some of them had knowledge of what he was and he could learn from them.

Aidan Ayrvar |

Aidan thankfully passes the digging off to Abbas, and has a drink, leaning against a purring Tkurzhan. He gazes as if into the distance, but truly, he observes Taedric, his steel eyes at odds with the weakness of his body.
Sense motive 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
It is as if he gazes straight through Taedric and into the man's soul. The experience is unnerving, but not uncomfortable.
The graves are shallow, and dusty- scree and gravel cover the dead as much as dirt and clay. Aidan thanks Abbas for his help, and plants a single seed over every grave.
May thee be the fruit of new beauty, may thee find peace.
I am not so sure that the net is evidence of a strange and new danger; though it is true Goblins are not known to take slaves. It can nae hurt to observe closely the trail.
Aidan simply nods at Taedric, affirming the gnome's decision- though he quickens his pace for a different reason.
After all, they need the herbalist alive.
I don't know how far the tracks go or how far it is to the herbalist from here, but, here are some survival checks to follow the trail:
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
That's eight hours of work, so it should suffice.

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"Maybe they want to grab something big with net?"
Abbas continues digging low graves for the goblins and their bigger brother. He works harder and faster for Taedric and Pluchak's sake. Then the warrior stops and looks up at the flight of birds crossing overhead in V formation and smiles.
Looks like they point for us. Back to work, never get done.
Eventually Abbas is finished to his satisfaction. He takes a large gulp of water and mops his brow. The heroic cut figure takes a few moments to return to normal.
"Done."

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Abbas trails along behind the others, keeping one eye on the rear in case anyone follows them. This concentration lasts a few minutes before he notices the way the bushes are swaying in the breeze.
swish, swish
Abbas looks around and sees the way the land lies, the scrub and odd trees show healthy growth here. This is a place which should be kept away from the plague of undead

Taedric Starfell |

Taedric notes Aidan's difficulty and wonders aloud, "Could they have been dragging the net to try to obscure their tracks?"

Pluchak del Oktar |

Pluchak takes his place in the middle, but felt as if he didn't belong. They had ignored his suggestion of burning the goblins. He would have been fine with them saying no, but they ignored him. Then he tried to look at it from their perspective. This Half Orc couldn't kill anything for all his bluster, he couldn't heal anyone after, he made bad suggestions that were not worthy of a reply, but he was worth defending against a bully that he obviously couldn't handle by himself.
He was their pet. But worse than that, because they treated their animals with more respect. If an animal he would be, he would have to earn their respect, or their fear. But just like his hard life had dictated, sometimes one had to be patient for his time. Then they would see what he could do and then they wouldn't be able to ignore him anymore.
Until then, they had the quest. It allowed him to take his mind off of social slights and focus at the task at hand. Perhaps the old herbalist came into some trouble. Then a rescue might be needed instead of intimidation. That suited him fine. He would rather have people think well of him than not, or not at all.

Aidan Ayrvar |

Unlikely, Taedric. See how the larger one walked behind it? I believe they were par...
Aidan freezes and checks the ground again. When one of you ask what is the matter, he hisses for quiet. Moments pass as he turns over a few leaves, then looks up into the trees that have been growing steadily more prevalent,until now we stand beside a true wood.
I think it is safe to converse, but I warn thee, be not loud as we progress.
He takes out his map, noting a few angles and measuring the location of the sun.
This is where we depart the path, friends. Tread lightly in this wood, as there was a great force here. Kin, I think, of those we laid to rest- and something much, much larger, he informs you, pointing to the broken branch in the middle reaches of a large tree. The break is nearly twelve feet up.
Aidan grows ever more silent as he treads on, noting silently the tracks of those came before. Before long, he looks to the sky, inhaling deeply.
I smell it too, brother. Smoke.
An unadulterated hated mars his face. He spits, as if he had tasted poison at the utterance of the word. A second passes before his hatred is replaced by trepidation, then horror, then despair. He looks, slowly, to the sky again.
Vultures! Without warning, he quickens his pace to a run, Tkurzhan bounding after him.
The time for stealth and caution is past! We must endeavor to safeguard what discoveries the herbalist has made, and, Erastil Willing, her life as well!

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Abbas is busy eating dry cornbeard when Aidan makes his discovery. The warrior puts away his waterskin as he looks to the rest's decision.
"Bigger than Pluchak? He was biggest man I know."
When the party move off, Abbas keeps pace with the slower moving half orc and priest. He doesn't intend to leave anyone behind. Speaking of behind them, a hunk of uneaten cornbeard stops rolling in the earth. Long forgotten and only good for rats and rabbits now.

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What could prepare a person for the scene that unfolds as you approach the herbalist's home? The black vultures circling, and while they are somewhat smaller than thier desert cousins, thier food source is the same. And what a banquet! Strewn through the area are the bodies of a dozen or more goblins, and half that many wolves. And there are several hobgoblins as well. Such carnage. The stone home in the center of clearing has no roof, the cover having been burned away as well as most of the contents of the cottage. Most disturbing is the human sized figure in a dress lying between you and the house, muddy and bloody and lying still, a host to several of the vultures.
The fire was local and contained because curiously, the ground is very clear in a near perferct circle surrounding the house. Indeed surrounding the house seems to be stones of some smaller size than the ones that mark Haugin's Ear.
You take this all in in an instant. What your mind focuses on is the scavengers, not the carrion glutton birds, but the humanoids, much like the ones you just dispatched. Here they look for what they can gather, and for what they can destroy. As you approach, one of them sees you and calls out, and in a moment they are all drawing weapons and advancing on you!
Map will be delivered shortly. Please make a perception and initiative roll.

Taedric Starfell |

Taedric's eyes widen at the sight of the carrion and the birds come to feed upon it, and then narrow when he notices that that, unfortunately, not all of the goblins are dead. Without realizing, he adds his own low throaty growl to the one coming from his mount, See? Burying these things is too good for them!
Taedric's Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Trumps' Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Aidan Ayrvar |

Aidan narrows his eyes at the scavengers as they draw their weapons. A curious sound comes to his lips then, akin to a crow's caw, but lower in pitch. A darkness crosses his eyes, and he lowers his body into a threatening posture. Tkurzhan is slower, but only because he spares a moment to look to his master before he charges towards the thickest group of enemies.
- Aidan 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
- Tkurzhan 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Handle Animal (biggest vulture I see)1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 "Push" to attack the Goblins. Since the DC is 25, and I was hailmarying again, I REALLY REALLY hope their weapons drawn has given me a circumstance bonus on that...
Tkurzhan's Charge attack1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 161d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Aidan's Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Tkurzhan's Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 and scent.
- Status:
- Aidan hp=8/8; AC=15/11/14; svs=2/1/5
- Tkurzhan hp=14/14; AC=14/11/11; svs=4/7/2