Vicon and Friends -- KINGMAKER CAMPAIGN!

Game Master Vicon

Max says, in draconic, "Allow me to translate for my friend here." He stares hard at Andreas. "We came here at the behest of our leaders to rid this land of lawless banditry. But then, we met the Shining One, and he told us of our destiny to aid the Sootscales against their foes, the goblins. We can only assume that it was Blackclaws who guided us here. In exchange, perhaps the Sootscales can aid us as well in our original mission."

Golwen can't help but wonder how much silver is in the mine as the pass the entrance, his attention is soon turned away from such thoughts at the ghastly display of Goblin heads. Perhaps it is best we did not do such a terrible thing. The starving goblin prisoner they soon pass does nothing to sooth his quickly racing nerves. Why did we agree to this again, exactly!? He looks around, briefly considering leaving, only to realize there is little chance of that. Burn it all. Guess we are stuck.

Golwen then nearly trips as the area gets dark. "Ouch, Gah!." He then quickly adds. "No need to worry, I'm fine I think. My toe and a rock did terrible battle." He tries humor to take his mind off of things.

Kowledge Planes/Religion on Blackclaw Drawings?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
---
As Max finishes speaking, Golwen opens his mouth and then looks at Tiax, and decides to shut it. Don't really know what to say to this lot yet. Then he reconsiders, he had a hard time staying quiet.
In Draconic:
"As it has been said, we have our own goals in the region and saw mutual interests in ridding the land of the Goblins.

I must add that I was impressed by how the Sootscale warriors handled themselves in battle, on not one but two occasions. So it was hard not to want to desire to forge an alliance of sorts with you. Further, Crxis proved how you are not only fierce but knowledgeable as well on our travels here. Throw in the blessings of the "Shiny One" and there you have it. Truly we have been blessed to come to these lands and meet ones such as yourselves."

@Golwen:(Planes check)

Something doesn't add up here. In your studies you have learned the basics of supposed power struggles between evil of order (fiends) and evil of chaos (demons) in the lower planes -- You're not entirely sure, but you see much more in the way of symbiology of chaos in the runes and wall paintings than in conflicting evil symbology on the altar and older carvings in this chamber which suggests a certain order.

So much is on the tip of your tongue but you can't break the sense that you are seeing much and understanding little.

Earlier at the bridge...

The bridge looks to be of questionable repair, and is missing some boards in the middle.

Andreas watches from his horse as the troll shows disinterest.

I do not know trolls ...Perhaps it can not fit on the bridge?

"That bridge doesn't look too sturdy. It might not bear the weight, of just one of us, and that troll looks like he weighs as much as all of us combined. So perhaps it is good that the bridge is not in better repair."

Now, in the Kobold caverns...

When the other mention the "Shiny One," Azul bows.

"Yes, it is me they speak of, Lords, and I realized that we must help your people against the goblins."

"Everyone knows that kobolds are descended from Dragons, creatures of great might, but also great wisdom and knowledge. This proves the nobility of the kobold race as compared to goblins.

"Furthermore," Azul says as he looks around the room, "We were sent by the Kingdom to the north. Did you know that the symbol on the flag of that nation is also a mighty dragon? I took this to be a sign, indicating that it was destiny that our two peoples would ally against a common enemy."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Cruxis does some more interpreting of the finer points of dialogue, throughout which it seems the hearts of the kobolds at large are won (or at least signs of potential aggression in them subside) It is hard to tell most of them apart, but you are subsequently greeted by several kobolds you had previously fought beside, who also proclaim they foretold of your coming and the arrival of "The Shiny One."

By the end of the discourse Tlax seems quite deflated, and it would appear he would have rather your lives ended here as interlopers in the caves of the kobolds, but now seems too cowed by popular opinion to be too outwardly aggressive, though there is no mistaking his body language and apparent anger at your presence. Tlax whispers to some of his faithful before leaving the chamber and you are addressed by the chief and his envoys.

"You are welcome here, Dragon-friends, now we discuss the undoing of the goblins in this region for good. Chieftain take his main force and draw out the goblins into the field, for war -- when most of goblins outside of their nest, Shiny one and Dragon-friends attack their home and take remaining goblins by surprise. Goblins live northwest of here, tunnels under old-dead tree."

One of the religious envoys adds:

"Goblins have stolen sacred statue of Blackclaws, the patron spirit of Tlax and the tribe. Find Statue, as we will ever be fighting until it is found, so say Tlax the will of Blackclaws!"

*Ryker's sense motive detects that Sootscale is less than enthused with the additional mention of the statue, and Tlax, though he does a good job of hiding his contempt. Definitely tension between these two leaders of the tribe...

Chief Sootscale continues:

"Accomplish this, and there will be alliance between dragon-friends. Kingdom in the north never survive or stay here long, but dragon-friends may have different luck. I must take field with my warriors -- you big'uns support your side of plan?"

The area begins to become a swirl of activity as the majority of kobolds prepare for war. Cruxis explains he will stay with the group, and if they are willing, lead them to a far entrance to the goblin lair that should not attract much attention and not get in the way of goblins taking the field to fight the sootscales. Chief Sootscale stands by the altar in the chamber broodingly, looking at the spot on the dais where the Blackclaws statue is missing from.

Cruxis, seeming to notice Ryker's insight, briefly and featfully explains:

"Chief not sure Blackclaws is true patron spirit of the sootscales. Too many chieftains die too soon. Unrest in tribe -- Chieftain want new patron spirit, some whisper..."

Then Cruxis stops himself. The party remains in the bustle of the tiny kobold war machine...

Conflict, eh? Might be a useful escape mechan- Ryker freezes when the Kobold approaches him and begins to speak directly to him. "Suspicious, for sure," he responds noncommittally. Getting involved with infighting without a profit is not good for survival. A useful note, certainly, but unless I see an opening that is without a doubt in our favor for a coup, this ain't happening.

"Let's get ready then. Seems like we have another job to do," Ryker comments as he begins to quickly walk out of the caves and back to his horse. "Let me know when we are leaving, I'm waiting outside. Not staying a minute longer than I have to in that death trap.

Andrea's stands watching as the others continue talking in a different language. He feels the hard stare but shows no reaction that it bothers him.

"... you big'uns support your side of plan?"

"We are happy to help our new dragon-friends," says Azul with a smile. "Just as surely, these dragon-firneds would help us if we were in need. Right now things are in balance. We came to the aid of your people against the goblins, and in return your people helped us against the human bandits. Now we go to help your people against the goblins, and surely the Sootscales will show their gratitude once more by helping us later. We will help you." Azul bows.

Just putting it in their heads that they will owe us one if we fight for them, which may end up getting us a reward of some kind.

"Chief not sure Blackclaws is true patron spirit of the sootscales. Too many chieftains die too soon. Unrest in tribe -- Chieftain want new patron spirit, some whisper..."

As Cruxis whispers, Azul nods.

"I know a lot about gods and their kind, and I admit I have never heard of 'Blackclaws.' Perhaps it is a nickname of some kind for Dahak? But I would be happy to teach your people the sublime ways of Irori, the Enlightened One."

The party, assumed to have agreed with the Kobold plan of attacking the goblin base after the majority have been lead off to fight in the field -- departs the old silvermine and heads north to "The old Sycamore" -- cruxis explains this used to be a lair of horrible fey creatures, Mites; who the Kobolds had previously defeated only to have the goblins move in.

The Old Sycamore is a landmark in this region, towering one hundred feet tall and in it's obvious last years of life, it casts it's shadow over the hills of the Northern Kamelands, and once sighted amidts the surrounding terrain easily becomes a landmark for miles around.

______________________

Re: Dahak and Irori:

Cruxis chitters excitedly at the mention of Irori, harkening back to a better time when the clan was lead by an "Ol' master greenish." -- During that time the kobolds followed what Azul finds described to be a strange interpretation of Irori's teachings -- referred to by Kobolds as 'Irori the Mad One.' -- observance of whom has since been forbidden by the most recent shaman, Tlax.

_______________________

Chief Sootscale and his forces perform taunts and war-dances in the fields west of the old Sycamore -- a giant Gnarled tree that dominates the hill upon which it rests, with numerous caves and tunnels seemingly set in it's roots. It is not long before the goblins respond, a few dozen emerging from all around the Sycamore, becoming something vaguely resembling a regiment, and setting off to pursue the kobolds who lead them away from their base. If the party intends to hold up it's end of the plan, the time is now.

_______________________

With Perception, the party learns quickly that while there are numerous doorways and paths under the tree, there is really only one obvious passage under it and into the tunnels below. Finding the right way in is encouraging, knowing that the right way in is basically a 'frontal assault', is less so.

The party at this point is faced with a choice -- pull open hatches and kick down doorways around the base of the tree for additional ways of ingress, or the even less appealing cramped 40-foot-drop that promises to lead under the Sycamore.

To add to that, the kobolds preparations and luring off the majority of the goblins -- and stealthy travel to the goblin base -- has eaten almost all of daylight by now -- and it promises to be darker still inside the compound...

On the way there
"In case you haven't noticed, there is some serious tension between Tlax and Chief Sootscale. I expect treachery at some point, but at the very least it may be something we can work to our advantage," Ryker informs the rest of the group.

At the tree
Ryker scowls hard at the tree. "It might seem counter to our approach so far, but making a racket behind the tree so the goblins who ran off can't see us but the remaining goblins think to come up might be our best bet. I don't know about y'all, but I can't see in the dark and I'd rather fight the damn things above ground than in their pit. Thoughts?" he asks the group. While the group discusses tactics, he wrings the grip on his shortbow.

---Prior to Leaving---
Golwen nods his head in agreement to the plan.
An interesting turn of events, so we shall go tp war with the Goblins then?
Golwen does his best to seem really into the war preparations, to impress the Kobolds.
Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

On the way there

"In case you haven't noticed, there is some serious tension between Tlax and Chief Sootscale. I expect treachery at some point, but at the very least it may be something we can work to our advantage," Ryker informs the rest of the group.

Golwen reflects upon Ryker's words before speaking. "Fascinating point, Ryker, it seems you are as talented in skills of observation and social insight as you are in the proper saddling a horse. I shall defer to your expertise on this matter, I myself did not notice any more than a bit of friction. The runes and symbols about the walls were quite fascinating. I fear there is something to them that is alluding me yet. Perhaps with further thought, that might change.

Anyways, I shall hope we do not have to deal with any sort of treachery of the sort you mention."
But if I had to pick, the Chief certainly seemed far more reasonable. Maybe Cruxis will know more about the symbology, or at least what it supposed to be.

---Evening---
As Golwen watches the Goblin battalion take chase he can't help but feel the intellectual superior of the Goblins. Not the brightest, that lot, are they? I may not be the most perceptive of people, but I certainly wouldn't fall for something... so. Well, anyways..."

At the tree
Ryker scowls hard at the tree. "It might seem counter to our approach so far, but making a racket behind the tree so the goblins who ran off can't see us but the remaining goblins think to come up might be our best bet. I don't know about y'all, but I can't see in the dark and I'd rather fight the damn things above ground than in their pit. Thoughts?" he asks the group. While the group discusses tactics, he wrings the grip on his shortbow.

"Agreed, I do not see myself wandering through the dark with any great degree of success. But we still need to get in there and acquire the statue at some point. Still, they certainly seem short-sighted enough to go chasing the Kobolds, so drawing at least some of the remainder out would probably work. And if we have to use light to see, we're not gonna have a whole lot of surprise on our side anyway, so thinning their numbers some more seems like a splendorous idea to me.

How would we do so, I have the capability to summon a fire beetle and send it in to provoke them? Some sort of noise, or fire?"

Golwen thinks for a second, rubbing his hands as he tends to when thinking. "On second thought, a fire might destroy or damage the statue if this tree even burns... Or instead, how about I summon a pony or... a dog!?

Oh and for what it's worth, I think we should just take the front door. I don't see much sense in trying to be crafty here. In and out."

Ilamin stayed quite throughout the negotiations and meet and greet. He was still working on being more diplomatic and cordial so it was good to have such examples around him.

Now, in the heat of things, he was excellent at being crafty. He shook his head as the rode along. Now was not the time to be praising any of his own talents.

When it was brought up the mentioning of the chief vs the shaman he spoke up "I'm not a fan of any religious zealot to be certain. The gods may be a shining example to follow but they do not have the worries of man at their heart. Though, I'm sure people could argue against my philosophy for all eternity. Still, the chief seems to have the heart of his people while the religious leader has some agenda beyond the kobold's ilk. At least, if I were to guess. Still, hearing their idea of what Irori is like....simply fascinating how two people could view the same god so differently." he said admiring the curiosity of it all.

When they arrived at the tree, Ilamin raised a brow at the idea. He looked at the others and climbed off the horse "I do feel I have a bit of a tongue for accents and languages...if you'd like I could perhaps give it a try? That is unless one of you knows Goblin?" he asked with curiosity.

"I do not speak their tongue, compared to the languages of the other planes it had always seemed so insignificant in the grand scheme. So I say go for it. I am curious to see what you have in mind.

Oh, another thought: does anyone have any animal handling experiencel? If I were to summon a dog, I would like it to bark. Sadly my studies into the great secrets of magic have left me little time for such....uh, ah, talents."

When the topic of a power struggle is brought up...
I did not see anything but it was odd how two different personas where trying hard to out do the other. Now that you mention it...it does appear as if there might be some infighting among their ranks...

At the sycamore tree, Andrea's looks across the battle field as the kobold draw out the goblins. When Rykar brings up about what is next...
well at least we have some options. We could follow the goblins and attack from the rear in an attempt to minimize the kobold casualties and help them win the war over the Goblins. We then could come back with the kobolds to help us assault the remainder of the defenders under the tree.?

He pauses for a moment...
...or we could try our luck at these many smaller ways in. All in hopes that we get lucky in finding the correct way in.

He takes a breath and continues
...but this could take time...time that we do not have. The front door might just work. Most likely to be cramped down there. Hard to see. Maybe we could get those that can see upfront as some scouts. They rest follow up with a light source.

"I cannot speak the goblin tongue either. That's another language I must put on my list."

"We should go in and try to remain quiet until that is no longer possible, and once they are alerted we must move quickly. Goblins are tricky and treacherous, and there may be traps."

"I suggest that Ryker go first as he has skills in that regard. I can follow right behind him, and apply healing if he is hurt."

Normally I would suggest the tankiest character in front for this type of plan, but that would probably be Andreas and his perception is pretty low. Ilamen and Golwen are both too squishy to be too close to the front.

I could also use mage hand to float a torch ahead of the group if people think that is a good idea.

Going first isn't my style, but he seems good on his word for that healing... "I can take point, but I'll need a light. Any of y'all have the magic to make light but keep it away from me? In front would be ideal, it wouldn't give us much of a surprise, but at least we could see what's coming for us instead of getting stabbed to death in the dark."

Ryker nocks an arrow onto his bow. "It sounds like we'll be driving hard and fast through the front door. We know what's in there, we should do our best to kill them quickly and keep moving so we don't get surrounded. Are we ready?"

Ilamin picked up a small rock and cast light on it real quick. "I can make a light out of anything but alas I cannot make it float in front of you." he offered, holding out the glowing rock.

"I can, if that is what is needed."

Mage hand has a 25' range, but requires concentration, so it does slow me a bit if I am doing that. If combat starts I will have to drop the spell. But if that is what we want to do, that works.

Worth mentioning that a pebble with light cast on it or a lit torch still provides light if it is sitting on the ground. A strategy I like to use is to kick the light source ahead on the floor. This dungeon might not be the best for that though, if there are a lot of vertical shafts.

Also nothing stopping us from having more than one light source.

Max waves his hand and utters a harsh syllable. Four dancing lights appear above Ryker's head. "Not a problem," he says, "and much easier than the mage hand route."

"Splendid showing, I did not prepare any light magic myself. I shall have to go about it the old fashion way."
Golwen draws out his Crossbow and loads a bolt. Not happy that his efforts of trying to avoid going into the holes had been in vain.
Such as it is, I suppose. This is what 'brave' adventurers do I guess... So which is it, are we going hard and fast, or are we trying to sneak? Ryker is leading, so I'll let him go with whichever seems best. Hate to suggest something and watch him take an arrow to the knee over it.
Ryker... If you see a trap that you don't think you can handle. I could always summon something into it to set it off. Not that I don't trust your skills, just wouldn't want to see a fine fellow like yourself get hurt due to undue risk."

Golwen grabs a torch from his horse and sparks it aflame, nearly dropping it in the process, and almost burning himself as well. Such was the first time Golwen had ever lit a portable torch.

Reclaiming his pride, he picked his loaded Crossbow back up and wielded the pair. "I'm all set." He nods to the torch. "Just in case. Maybe I can use it to clunk a goblin out if needed." He then makes a quick prayer to Desna not to let the need for such a thing arise.

"Well, it appears we are ready. Shall we?"

Proposed Single File Marching Order:
Point: Ryker (to look for traps)
Slack: Azul (to heal Ryker if something bad happens)
3rd: Andreas (can move up to the front if combat happens)
4th: Ilamin (pretty squishy)
5th: Golwen (very squishy)
Drag: Maximilian (rearguard - if he has to move to the front he has better movement than Andreas)

"Thanks," he responds to Golwen's offer. Is he doubtful or just worried? Hard to tell sometimes. Di-... Did he almost fumble a torch just now? I'll have to work with him, he seems talented enough, a little practical knowledge might do him some good.

"We shall," Ryker responds before silently breaking away from the party and heading for the tree.
________
Marching order looks good to me. Should we keep some space between Ryker and the group or just go back to back? I'm indifferent either way. Ryker will be attempting to stealth while in the tree if there is space between him and the party.

If there is space to easily maneuver then we could leave gaps. But if the conditions are cramped then we don't want spread out too much if we can't move easily. Let's leave a 5' gap behind Ryker so if necessary you can 5' step backwards and then someone else (like Andreas) can move up to the front.

Marching order is cool with me. Good plan.
Golwen falls into his predetermined spot. "Yes, well, let's not wait too long. Onward after Ryker. This torch and crossbow aren't light!"
The Arcanist's arms were rapidly starting to hurt from dual wielding the pair.

Ilamin nodded and looked back at Maximillian. "A useful spell to be sure. I'll keep a rock charged for Azul to throw in case we need some light ahead of us then. Let us head into the cavern and take care of this. The sooner we are in, the sooner we are out." he said simply.

He stood by the hole and waited for the others to go in and joined the order where he was asked to.

With bow prepared, Maximillian follows up the rear.

The party, have struggled down a 40-foot narrow shaft full of roots and jutting rocks quickly realize that this area was made for creatures considerably smaller in stature. Upon reaching the bottom this reality is only more appartent.

Medium and larger creatures attack at -1 in the entirety of this area because of low ceilings and cramped conditions.

The plan to move in single file collapses when the chamber descended into will not accommodate such a formation. Ryker, the first to land at the bottom sees two goblins absolutely panic at seeing him and run in opposite directions, one east, one west.

The chamber itself is some kind of half-wrecked workshop -- a workshop for making traps and crude weapons.

"Intruder!"

the call begins to echo in the hallways and chambers beyond... so much for the element of surprise...

Golwen grumbles under the low hanging ceiling, doing his best not to crack his skull. "See this is why..." At the Goblins shout he stops. Blood and bloody ashes! Well, that surely didn't take long.

So... what's the plan, attack?"
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15Just seeing what there is to see.

"I don't want to split up, but with two exits if we stick together we could end up with a bunch of goblins to our rear, blocking our exit. Perhaps we can block one of these tunnels, and then use the other?"

Knowledge (engineering) untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Golwen notices a small stack of 3 bear-traps laying in a dark corner of the room.

Azul Oros notes that while the tunnel behind them is collapsible due to loose rocks in the ceiling, it likely would take more time then they have to get that done...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Ilamin looks around a bit and prepares his bow for the first Goblin to come screeching down the halls. "I suppose it's a good thing we've got several bowmen in the group? Should be able to bring their numbers down a bit before they get in range to do anything dangerous." he said smiling.

Readied Action, Bow to the Gobbo: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 1 = 20

Damage if hit: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Golwen sees Ilamin staring at the trap and points at it too. "I like the idea that Azul is getting at, lets set them in a passage to slow any retaliation from that direction while we explore the other one."

Drawing his weapon, Andreas waits quietly.

The first goblin comes screeching from the west, immediately catching Ilamin's arrow, doublin over, and moving back into hiding.

Golven and Ilamin throw the bear traps into the tunnel to the west, each of them popping open, spring loaded, as they hit the ground behind them. Two more goblins come running from the west after the traps go down, the first one jumps a beartrap but lands directly in another one, virtually snapping him in half. The goblin behind him tries to slow his charge, but ends up skipping into another one of the traps, popping his head off with the rest of his body stuck in the jaws of the trap, spraying blood like some absurd party favor.

The next goblin is not so haughty or confident -- himself and a companion stopping on the other side of the trapped corridor and drawing their bows.

The party can choose to charge east, or get into a shootout with the western goblins, who seem loathe to advance...

Ryker fires a shot at the goblins to the west.
________
Shortbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d6 ⇒ 4

Ilamin nods as Ryker fires and fires another volley himself.

Longbow to a gobbo!: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 1 = 22

Damage if hit: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Seeing that the others are concentrating on the western tunnel, Andreas moves towards the western tunnel. He looks over his shoulder towards the others as arrows fire past him.
Well that plan went to hell real quick. We take these two down and then we can move forward.

He steps over the goblins that have already set off traps in an attempt to avoid the final bear trap. Once clear he swings at the first Goblin in line.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 - 1 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The cramped quarters ruin Ryker's shot, as his missile hits a low-hanging root in the ceiling above.

Ilamin however Shoots a goblin squarely in the thigh, while Sir Andreas steps forward around the final bear trap and cleaves the goblin standing beside him in twain, but not before it looses an arrow at him, bouncing off his armored shoulder.

The remaining goblin is pulling back on his shortbow, but his reflexes may be too slow for this fracas...

The party can hear more goblins further down both tunnels, but they seem deterred for the moment...

Max sees the goblin preparing to fire and tries to get off his own shot first.
longbow: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 - 1 = 18 damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Golwen will make sure he steps to keep someone between him and the Goblin, before he begins summoning a Celestial Dog, placing it as close to the Goblin as he can.

Assuming it goes off:
The dog growls before lunging at the Goblin, smiting the pesky critter.
Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

"Well, now that they know we're here, we should move fast. Send the dog ahead into the tunnel and we'll follow behind."

Azul follows behind Entiren.

If the dog is on front in melee I'm guessing I can't engage. But that hit might have brought it down.

and who is it that you refer to Entiren???

and who is it that you refer to Entiren???

Oops... my bad. Yes, following Andreas. Must have had too many games open at once.

lol, I too was bewildered...
"My dominion over animal kind is not very strong, perhaps one of you might convince our friend to move forward. Or at least help me convince it."

Ilamin holds his arrow knocked for the moment, till he sees a goblin not engaged with anyone and then fires.

He yells while he waits "So, should we advance? If possible, I'd recommend resetting those traps to prevent anyone coming in behind us easily." he said as combat continued.

Readied bow shot: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 1 = 5

Damage if hit: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Golwen's dog grabs the final goblin bowman and shakes it until there is a distinct crack and the creature stops moving.

Andreas and Azul move further down the tunnel into a new chamber where they are confronted with new goblin enemies.

Behind them, they can hear the ragged baying of goblin hounds!

Remaining mobile will be crucial to our survival and escape... Ryker keeps an arrow on his bow as he follows the movements of the group deeper into the goblin tunnels.
________
Ideally I'd like to be somewhere in the middle, but I'm not too particular with this character and situation.

Sir Andreas and Azul take point through the cramped passage into a muddy, soily, earthen smelling clay chamber where they are immediately confronted by 3 goblins.

Behind them, the celetial dog summoned by Golwen is beset by two goblin hounds of their own!

Two of the goblins quickly spring forward, one swinging wide and missing Azul, the other tagging Andreas in the leg inflicting a very minor wound (-1 hp Andreas)

The goblin dogs, quickly lunging forward, each bite the celestial dog and rend it to pieces!!!

(Ryker has a held action that can shoot at one of the dogs)

"Down, you agents of Chaos!" Azul shouts as he tries to swing at the closest goblin.

Falcata: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Falcata Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"Let's try to push past them! Wait... What's that sound behind us?"