Ira shakes his head at the fallen Orc and charges at the singing goblin
Reflex
Attack, with a stunning fist attempt, Save DC 13
...eyes go wide in horror at the new scene unfolding...looking for the right spot so that Ira won't be caught in it, but getting at least the other goblins, and intoning the arcane incantations...for sleep, DC 15...and then eyes darting over the the dazed gobbo, knowing it won't last...keeping the rapier between him and me.
Crokus ran drunkenly across the square, roaring in his bloodlust and shaking some of the drunkeness from his body. Unfortunately, it wasn't really enough. As his heavy boots trod over the cobbles, they hit a slick of blood and the big man toppled heavily into the cobbles. As he hit the ground, and audible woooof of air exploded from his lungs.
For a moment the antogonists all just stared incredulously at the almost comical sight....then the combat erupted anew.
Ira, realising the greater threat came from behind now, dashed across and landed a telling blow onto the face of the chanter. The monk hoped it was enough to stun the little bugger so it would stop singing that infernal song.
Unfortunately, Ira had overbalanced in his rush across the cobbles and his blow was not as solid as he'd hope.
This left Raimos to deal with things. Chooising to ignore the last goblin from the initial encounter, the handsom bard began to chant a magical tune designed to lull the weak minded into sleep. He was careful not to effect his companions though, concerned about their ability to overcome the magic as well.
With that, the goblins finally responded to the strange antics of the longshanks. The goblin who had his friends killed around him finally came out of his stupor. At first it looked as if he would flee, but then it caught sight of the goblin chanter across the square and its courage was renewed. Seeing the tall man nearby singing a strange song, the little creature raced across the square and tried to savage his legs with its slicer.
The other goblins also rushed in, trying to protect their leader.
Crokus shakily gets himself up and laughs ruefully at his clumsiness. Looking at the goblin still sprawled on the ground nearby, he readies his hammer to lay a crushing blow on the prone creature.
"Sorry about your luck little guy."
Concentration:
...and feeling the magic simply dissipate, but having another problem, at the moment...
Yeowwch! You little beast!
...and quickly thrusting with the blade, just like my instructor taught me.
Melee attack (rapier):
Ira attempts a flurry of blows on the singing Goblin.
The group of adventurers must have offended Desna somehow. The lady of luck was certainly not shining on them this day.
Crokus, still realing from the ale he had consumed this day, swung his hammer but missed heroically.
Ira danced between the two warriors and flailed at the Bardic goblin, but failed to land a blow.
Poor Raimos found the pain from the little goblins attack was too much and he lost focus on his spell. Whats more, he missed with his counter attack and now faced the little beast while he himself bled.
The goblins swarmed and surged, leaping about and gnashing with teeth as much as weapons. Realising the flaming brands weern' doing much, the ones engaging Ira dropped them and focused on using their slicers instead.
The warchanter again stepped back, and now found itself pressed against teh flaming the wagon. The heat from the vehicle was growing more intense and the creature howled a little as the flames licked at its body. Heedless of this, the creature began to chant again, pointing at Ira and trying desperately to cause his magic to wash over the longshanks with the dangerous feet and hands.
With a great effort the Warchanter succeeded in ignoring the pain and finished his spell. A wave of uncontrollable laughter threatened to overcome Ira if he couldn't called on his innate will to throw off the magic.
The goblin nearest Crokus stood shakily and tried to slash the big Orc.
Raimos found his opponent was just as crazy and ravenous as the others. It leapt on him, gnashing with its teeth and trying to drive its slicer into the wound it had already caused.
New round, over to you guys. [ooc]Crokus, please make sure you track Rage, its gonna run out soon and this attack is far from over unfortunately.
Crokus stumbled around a bit and cursed his drunkenness.
"When I get outta this I'm not touchin' a drop of the stuff ever again" he said with a conviction he fully intended to keep but knew full well he would not.
Shortly thereafter the goblin in front of him tried to crawl to its feet.
Giving up on smashing the goblin straight down he reared back the hammer over his shoulder and simple swung horizontally at the goblin, hoping that would give him a bit more edge in hitting the slippery little bugger.
Thankfully, it seemed to work.
Crokus stumbled toward to attack the dangerous chanter before his rage subsided. He could feel the effort starting to take its toll on him, as it inevitably always did when he became focused on combat. However, he felt that he still had a little bit of strength left in him and he went to help his companion.
Upon reaching the area adjacent to the finger wiggling menace, Crokus launched one final crushing blow at the creature.
With that final act Crokus felt the fatigue at the edge of his consciousness creep into the forefront. He breathed heavily but he knew his work was far from over as he stood amidst the chaos and screams of people he meant to protect.
"I think we're even now, eh, Ira?"
Crokus finally found his momentum. He smashed the goblin before him into a bloody smear, its broken body flying sideways a number of feet.
Having cleared some space with that opportune attack, he staggered forward into the warchanter, weaving a path around the combatants engaging Ira to avoid getting entangled in that brawl.
Again his hammer swung in a murderous arc, crushing ten warchanter into so much blood and gristle. The creatures body stuck to the beveled edge of his weapon and the the big Orc had to shake it a little to make sure the gruesome remains fell away.
Behind him, the goblins cried out in despair.
Will save
The monk smiles slightly, but only at the idea of delivering pain to the goblin.
(If I can flurry, if not just attack)
...and remembering the other lesson...'Raimos, you were given charm and beauty, 'cause steel is your worst enemy. You SUCK with a blade!'...
The steel blade at least seems to be holding it back for now...taking another poke at the little terror.
Rapier attack: Damage, in case:
With a show of will worthy of one who studied at the great monastery, Ira shrugged off the magical effects. He unleashed a rain of blows upon the goblin in front of him, killing it even as the other fled the square in terror.
Behind this tableau, Raimos desperately poked his weapon towards the goblin biting at his leg. The blade missed, but ws close enough to make the little green terror turn and flee into the shadows of town.
For a moment, all seemed still where these three stood. The battle seemed to have moved off further downtown, with the majority of the townsfolk seemingly fled to their homes.
The three companions caight their breath for the moment, surveying the carnage. They could see a number of dead goblins nearby, many seemingly dead from their own stupidity as they leapt from buildings to attack people or had inadvertently set themselves on fire.
Sadly, a few townsfolk also lay dead upon the ground, throats cut or limbs chewed by the voracious goblins.
Father Zantus rushed across to the three combatants, checking them for injury and seeing if they needed his services. "Where did they come from" he stammered, seemingly still overcoming the shock of the moment. "How did such creatures build up the courage to attack us here?"
The brief respite was shattered by the sound of a mans scream coming from near the northern gate area. The sounds of excited goblins suddenly erupted from that Rea also, and what sounded like a vicious dog fight could be heard above it all.
"Help me!" Screamed a male voice, terror quite clear in the tremor of the words. "Oh gods above, they're going to eat me!"
Sobered a bit by the combat, Crokus hobbled towards the renewed sounds of battle as fast as his tired body could carry him.
Ira runs full speed toward the sound of the scream.
Initiative.
Thank you, Father Zanthus...unlike my companions...I am no warrior, but rather possess the soul of a poet. I fear that my sword is most often used for show...
*bowing in respect for a moment, as the waves of healing life energy wash over me...color returns to the cheeks that had grown somewhat pale...*
Initiative:
The group rushed towards the sound of the screaming man, with Ira pulling ahead of the Drunken orc and the human bard. As they rounded the buildings leading to the main gate, they could see a vicious fight between a well armed goblin riding upon some hairless rat like creature, and a well muscled and well bread mastiff hound. Even as they watched though, the goblin got the better of the mastiff, using his mount to position himself behind the dog and slice down through its neck.
A ragged cheer went up from a group of goblins that had been cowering behind barrels and crates near the main arch way. Now they emerged from their cover, all of them converging on a water barrel behind which a well dressed nobleman cowered and screamed. It was his voice they had heard.
...seeing the situation, and seeing that this time, they're a distance away, Raimos stops as soon as the goblins come out...and immediately goes into softly intoning his arcane syllables...
...and casting Sleep again...hoping for a little success...trying to catch the goblins, but nobody else again, of course. As I doubt it'll work on the big one, going for the others. DC 15.
On the first full round, I move (hopefully somewhat stealthily) into cover behind nearby crates.
Stealth (if it can be done at all):
Ira moves quickly toward the "big" goblin on...uh...dogback.
Ira moves quickly toward the "big" goblin on...uh...dogback.
Ira charges the gobin's mount.
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Crokus stalks toward the goblin "cavalryman" with determination, just ahead of his bareknuckle companion.
Upon reaching him, Crokus looks at the well armed goblin, and then at his mount.
"Well let's see how nimble ya are then, shall we?"
Crokus takes a mighty swing at strange rat-thing.
Due to his fatigue and still remaining wobbliness from the alcohol, the strike was not as powerful as he could have wished. Nevertheless, the blow still seemed to have the desired effect.
Raimos intoned his magic once again, sending a sleepy haze over the nearby goblins. As the magic settled over them like a warm blanket, the three greenskins wobbled a little, their legs seeming to sway in time to a mothers gentle rocking. One of teh creatures swayed a little too far and toppled to the ground, proceeding to curl into a ball and cuddle its sword and shield. The other two shook their heads and turned to see what was making all the noise.
The noise was Crokus. The huge Orc rushed across the square and smashed his hammer into the head of the dog like creature. The hammer blow was glancing, but it was enough to fell the fell the beast into a twitching mass of legs and rat tail.
The goblin riding the animal cried out and leapt free, rolling with the momentum and comng to his feat. He turned with a snarl, intending to hit the big barbarian that had killed his mount but instead got punched in the face by a running Ira. It was a solid blow too, knocking a few of the goblins teeth out and spinning him almost completely.
Yet, this champion was made of sturner stuff than his compatriots. It swung the long handled chopper two handed, scribing a wide arc and trying to bring it to bear on the monk who had hit him.
The creature was seriously staggerd from the punch though, and its attack went well wide of the mark. Now combat had joined, it was better prepared to face this human again.
The two goblins who were still standing after Raimos' spell ignored the bard, choosing to rush the big barbarian with the huge hammer. The boss seemed to have the other longshanks in hand, though he doing some sort of wierd wobble step they took to be a fancy combat maneuvre.
Ira unleashes a flurry of blows on the goblin commando
Crokus chuckled a bit as the goblin boss got clocked by Ira.
Abruptly, he felt a sharp pinprick in the back of his shin. He turned around with a snarl.
"Big mistake ya little menace."
And he viciously swung his hammer at the goblin who had stabbed him, shifting to the side a bit to avoid the other.
As he mashed the offending goblin into paste, he turned his menacing gaze to the remaining creature.
...Raimos sees the big one as still representing the big threat...
Intoning the simpler phrases the cantrip Daze, and feeling elated as the commando's face goes blank.
This is a gift for you, Ira my friend! That big sticker of his looks rather nasty!
Ira attacked with fist and foot, but none of his blows managed to land on the goblin. The creature was too well armoured and agile this time.
It became a moot point though, for Raimos again enacted his enchanting magics and the creature seemed to take on a dazed look. It was certainly unable to swing its horrid looking weapon this time, which could prove extremely beneficial to the monk. A solid blow from that weapon wold be nasty indeed.
Crokus was finally feeling more himself. He splattered the brains of one the goblins across the cobbled courtyard before turning to face the last enemy.
The little goblin seemed about ready to flee but then glanced across and saw its boss still standing. Taking courage, he swung with his rusty blade, hoping to bleed this ugly orc in front of him. Goblins were notoriously stupid, and this one had taken the dazed look on his bosses face for something like determination, rather than confusion.
Crokus easily avoided the goblin's pitiful swing and retaliated in kind.
Unfortunately, his dodge cost him accuracy on the return swing, and he narrowly missed his little green foe.
"Stand still ya little snot where I can smash ya."
Ira flurries again
*...seeing Ira crush the big beast's nose into its skull, Raimos turns his attention to the little monster trying to dance with Crokus, and gives him a taste of what made his leader go stock-still...*
Daze on the remaining goblin...as all other targets are down...or asleep.
Shall we take the snoring beast captive? Do we have any sturdy rope handy?
Crokus swipes at the dancing goblin before him, but fails to land a blow. He could feel the strong ale the half orcs had plied him with beginning to churn in his stomach too. Strenuous activity after a heavy days drinking and eating were never a good mix.
He watched as the creatures eyes glazed over, the effects of his friends spell preventing it attacking him back. It brought a smile to his scarred face.
Ira snapped two successive blows into the goblin bosses face. He didn't needto second punch though. The first one had struck the things nose with enough force to crack the facial bones and push shards of bone into the primitive brain controlling the thing. It stood erect for a moment, body convulsing in reflexive reaction to its synapses severing and dying. Then it toppled heavily to the ground.
The sound of snoring goblin filled the square, and somewhere in the background the terrified cries of the townsfolk had been replaced with the desperate cries of fleeing goblinoids.It seemed as if the attack on Sandpoint had been pushed back.
Already people were poking their heads out of windows, looking down at the three newcomers who had taken on the defense of the upper town and defeated three savage groups of the goblin kin. It looked as if they had even managed to catch one or two of the little ferals as well.
Crokus looks at the suddenly dazed goblin in front of him and he smiles briefly.
"Hey, Raimos, thanks for the help!" he calls across the square.
Thinking for a moment, he decides they would all be better served by temporarily putting aside their anger and capturing one of the goblins for questioning.
He reaches over and scoops up the dazed creature, making sure to trap its arms at its side.
He then carries his tiny captive over to the center of the square, where he motioned for his companions to join him once they wrapped up their current business.
"Come over here when you get the chance, my friends. I think we have some important questions for this little menace..."
*...strolling over, thinking of my soon-to-be latest epic, of how two stood against the goblin hordes that attacked Sandpoint...'Horde Against Heroes, the Battle of the Sands'...nice scope...seems epic...*
You've disarmed the little beast, Crokus? I fear you may have to bash his teeth in...they look sharp!
Oh...it scratched you...I'm no great healer, but let me see that leg...
"Ah, thank you Raimos. I had forgotten about the little scratch this guy's compatriot inflicted on me."
Ira? I didn't see you get hurt at all since Father Zanthus healed us...the way you move...*shrug*
Ira? I didn't see you get hurt at all since Father Zanthus healed us...the way you move...*shrug*
Ira nods and looks around for wounded to assist.
Crokus ties up his catch to make sure he won't get away and then moves over to make sure the sleeping goblin never wakes up.
Crokus ties up his catch to make sure he won't get away and then moves over to make sure the sleeping goblin never wakes up.
Ira puts his hand on the Orc's shoulder "Two prisoners are better than one. Tie them together."
...seeing what Crokus is up to...and having a flash of inspiration...
Crokus, my friend...if you would...could I speak with you for a moment?
"Ah, good point Ira."
Crokus ties the two together.
"Now, Raimos, whats was it you needed?"
*chuckling*
It seems Ira and I were thinking along the same lines.
Nice job hogtying them...I wonder if the little monsters actually know...anything.
*Raimos idly picks at the wood of a crate with his dagger, eying the goblins, and remembering one trying to slit him open, just a few minutes earlier...*
Having tied up the two goblins, the three men were deciding what to do when the nobleman they had just saved ran over to them. His face was flushed with relief and gratitude, and he almost stammered over his words as he offered each man his hand and showered them with praise.
"Gentleman, I cannot begin to thank you enough. Please, when this all calms down and we have time to meet properly, seek me at the Rusty Dragon. My name is Aldern Foxglove, and if you ask after me I shall come and offer you proper recompense for what you achieved today."
He looked ready to burst, his enthusiasm was so strong. "Again, I cannot thank you enough."
With that, he ran off into the night, seemingly seeking someone or somtheing.
Ira began to look for injured to assist with, while Crokus and Raimos where wondering how information would be available from their prisoners.
Neither task had too long of a wait. Father Zantus began to round up able bodied folk to assist with moving injured to the temple for treatment, and to clear the bodies for proper burial, or burning in the case of the goblins.
Sheriff Hemlock took charge of the prisoners and was more than willing to let the group who had captured them assist in the questioning. The Sheriff seemed furious. He had lost five men in the attack, most of them killed in the initial chaos and surprise. What's more, many of the townsfolk had behaved erratically and in complete panick. This wasn't something he had seen since the the trouble times a few years back, and it angered him how quickly the township had fallen apart in disarray.
All this he told while pushing and shoving his goblin captives towards the barracks in the centre of town. He was not a happy man.
"The big one was on a special mission in the graveyard, eh? I have a bad feeling about this my friends. No good can come of it, mark my words. I would like to investigate this occurrence as quickly as possible, though I must admit that this Aldern fellow has me intrigued. What do you gentlemen think?"
Graveyard? Wonderful place for the dead. I prefer living...
...sighing, Raimos turns to his friends...
What would he want with the graveyard? Grave-robbing? Hmmm...
...turning to look back at Sheriff Hemlock...
Sheriff? That mean anything to you?
Ira nods agreement with Crokus.
Oh, I definitely think we should head to this 'Rusty Dragon'...sooner rather than later...I smell a reward, and likely a free drink or two...and a little liquid courage would go a long ways if we do decide to wander into a graveyard...
Raimos shivers just a bit to emphasize the meaning in his words...
...did anybody happen to notice this 'Rusty Dragon'? I get the feeling the direction Mr. Foxglove took off to would be the right way.
Hemlock seemed troubled by the thought of someone organising and working with the goblins. "Its bad enough we have tribes of them in the forests and marshes, now we have to contend with them working together too."
His brow had furrowed at the news, and now he paced the room trying to think it through. Outside, the sounds of the cleanup from the evenings disaster continued. Eventually the big Shoanti sighed and looked at the three men who had assisted the twon so ably during the fight. "I think the graveyard can be checked in the light of day lads. Tonight we need to make sure the goblins are gone from the township proper and that all those who are injured are tended. We have to move the dead off the streets and we'll need men to keep watch on the entrances to town in case the little buggers rally and come back. Who knows how many there are out there, and if someone is commanding them, then they could return."
He asked them to assist, if they were willing. In the end, it wasn't really a choice. None of the establishments in town were available at any rate, since everyl able bodied person was out assiting cleanup. It was a long night for all in the township, and certainly marred what had been an excellent festival.
*****
The next morning broke with clear skys and a magnificent sunrise over the chalk hills in the east. The people in these frontier lands were hardy, and practical. While the events of the goblin raid had been terrifying, and in some cases traic, the majority of the township had already moved on and life was continuing as normal.
Boats plied their trade in the harbour, nets and long lines harvesting the sea for its bounty. The smell of fresh bread and the sound of smithy filled the air, and eventually Sandpoint came to life.
The three travellers found themselves at last in the rooms of the Rusty Dragon inn. The smell of cooking filled the place, and the woman behind the counter was an exotic beauty. Her eyes slanted upwards like an elf, yet her ears betrayed no such heritage. Her skin was a yellwoish tan, and the hint of a long tattoo could be seen on her right shoulder, looking like it may spiral onto her back. This was Ameiko Kaijitsu, and she was the owner of the tavern.
The three of tehm were welcomed as heros when they entered the establishment, though Crokus was still given some guarded looks as he walked across to the table where Aldern Foxglove sat.
The nobleman had changed into even more expensive clothing today. He wore necklaces and rings made of the finest gold and the rapier at his side was of masterwork craftmnship. It was obviously for display only though, given his performance during the battle last night.
When the men approached him, he looked up from his meal and beamed a huge smile at them. Shaking each of their hands, holding Ira's perhaps a little longer than the others. "Gentlemen, thank you for coming. You saved my life last night and I wanted to thank you personally. Please have a seat, let us talk."
He waved at Ameiko, who sauntered across to the table and took their orders, slipping a wink at Raimos as she spoke to him. "Perhaps we could hear a tale or two from you later sirrah. Rumour has it you are gifted with your tongue, and I would like to find out the truth of the matter." She smiled, then walked away to gather the drinks and meals for the men.
Ira nods thanks to the noble for his gold and sits at the table.
"Ah, quite the generous man you are Aldern! Though I wonder what I'll spend this gold on now I've sworn off ale."
Crokus dejectedly looks at the empty mug in front of him.
"So, my good nobleman, why is it you've called us all here?"
Crokus looks at his mug again, and then back at Ameiko.
"Sod it all, I didn't say anything about mead. A mug of mead will do me good miss, and I'll thank you for it."
"And lass, you might want to look into doing something about that jaundice of yours. You'd be even prettier without it, and that's the truth."
*Raimos is only half successful in his attempt to not gag on his beer as he catches the outrageous faux pas Crokus makes...of course, already lost in Ameiko's smile (and everything else), it's quite the effort...*
Sense Motive (utterly unskilled!):
Knowledge: Geography:
Diplomacy:
Why, beautiful lady, gladly will I provide tales of heroism and adventure, poems of heartstruck love, and whimsical ditties to bring a smile to such a lovely face...just say the word...and...my tongue is yours...
Might I inquire, lovely one...you have such the fair facial features of the elvenkind, but the delicate ears of the most delightful of ladies of the human sort...perhaps elven blood is strong in you?
...doing the best he can to not look like a smitten schoolboy...
...and a quick nod to Mr Foxglove...
And...thank you for the coin.