Assuming the shouts and sounds of combat reach his ears, Dorvarr makes his way toward the log stacks with what haste his stout frame allows.
.
You quickly staunch the bleeding of the two unconcious guards. They were wounded badly but should survive.
As Dorvarr stands up from his work both you and Ragnarr hear a clear ringing voice shout "NOW!
Round #1
Initiative
Goblin 20
Vladimir 19
Hrafn 16
Svein 13
The goblin atop the lumber pile wings a dagger downwards at the exposed figure of Vladimir. However, the dagger throw goes well off and the blade sinks into the wood several feet above the knight's head.
Furious, Vlad lashes out with his blade at the goblin, attack roll 16, damage 4. He takes a moment to face Svein and level his sword at the black-hearted traitor.
"Svein! Face me like a man, not a goblin! Or are you too afraid?"
"Ragnarr, lad, let's go find the others, they might be in trouble. I fear the fighting may not be at it's end."
Dorvarr makes his way slowly to the log stacks, making sure other parts of the camp aren't still engulfed with flames or overrun with goblins...
Ragnarr nods and quietly follows in the footstep's of Thor's servant.
Furious, Vlad lashes out with his blade at the goblin, attack roll 16, damage 4. He takes a moment to face Svein and level his sword at the black-hearted traitor.
"Svein! Face me like a man, not a goblin! Or are you too afraid?"
Vladimir with a quick thrust upwards jabs the goblin through the leg causing the creature to howl in anguish. He stumbles atop the lumber withdrawing from melee and barely clinging to life.
As Hrafn maneuvers around Svein the big man grunts in reply "You'll get yours pup!, You'll get yours!"
Ragnarr nods and quietly follows in the footstep's of Thor's servant."Ragnarr, lad, let's go find the others, they might be in trouble. I fear the fighting may not be at it's end."
Dorvarr makes his way slowly to the log stacks, making sure other parts of the camp aren't still engulfed with flames or overrun with goblins...
Following the sounds of shouts and melee the two of you at a full run should be able to reach Vladimir and Hrafn the following round.
"Svein! Face me like a man, not a goblin! Or are you too afraid?"Vladimir with a quick thrust upwards jabs the goblin through the leg causing the creature to howl in anguish. He stumbles atop the lumber withdrawing from melee and barely clinging to life.
As Hrafn maneuvers around Svein the big man grunts in reply "You'll get yours pup!, You'll get yours!"
"Good work. Let's put this rabid dog down." Hrafn grimaces as he continues to circle Svein, forcing the black-heart to keep an eye on both of them. Seeing an opening, Hrafn darts in to attack...
...but again is frustrated by Svein's agility and rust-spotted armor.
"Good work. Let's put this rabid dog down." Hrafn grimaces as he continues to circle Svein, forcing the black-heart to keep an eye on both of them. Seeing an opening, Hrafn darts in to attack...
...but again is frustrated by Svein's agility and rust-spotted armor.
Svein ducks your lunge and with the speed of a striking serpent comes thrusting upwards. The sword bites deep tearing a great bloody gash along Hrafn's torso. Svein roars exultingly.
Following the din of battle and bloody oaths Ragnarr and Dorvarr come rushing around the corner amidst the maze of lumber stacks. A solitary fighter clad in a worn chain shirt and brandishing a broadsword stands engaged with Hrafn and Vladimir. Hrafn appears grievously wounded and above the two of you can discern atop the lumber piles the slouching figure of a goblin retreating from the fray. The swordsman seeing you approach curses loudly.
Initiative
Goblin 20
Vladimir 19
Hrafn 16
Dorvarr 15
Svein 13
Ragnarr 9
The goblin moves with frantic speed though limping badly away from the melee.
Vlad leaps forward at Svein, howling with fury...
...and misses, his blade thinking heavily into one of the logs nearby. He bares his teeth and readies his weapon again.
Dorvarr will unleash the lightning of Thor on the goblin, should he stiill be visible, lobbing a javelin at the fleeing creature.
"Apparently Thor needed that one somewhere else..."
A solitary fighter clad in a worn chain shirt and brandishing a broadsword stands engaged with Hrafn and Vladimir. Hrafn appears grievously wounded and above the two of you can discern atop the lumber piles the slouching figure of a goblin retreating from the fray. The swordsman seeing you approach curses loudly.
The goblin moves with frantic speed though limping badly away from the melee.
A high whine comes from Hrafn as he falls back against the log pile, clutching his belly. His legs scrabble in the mud as he tries to get further away from Svein's flashing blade.
Vlad leaps forward at Svein, howling with fury...
...and misses, his blade thinking heavily into one of the logs nearby. He bares his teeth and readies his weapon again.
Svein lets forth a stream of oaths but still manages to dodge Vladimir's blow. Hastily he counterattacks but the young knight easily evades the warrior's wild swing. Svein then backs away (5' foot step) his sword at the ready.
ALL:
Sense Motive 15
Ragnarr catches Svein's wicked glance and follows it. "Something in the log stack to the right," growls the man-beast, peering closely at the stack and raising his axe in preparation to strike whatever hidden foe hides therein...
Ragnarr catches Svein's wicked glance and follows it. "Something in the log stack to the right," growls the man-beast, peering closely at the stack and raising his axe in preparation to strike whatever hidden foe hides therein...
Ragnarr
Lumberyard map sent!
"Vlad, careful of the logs to the right, where the goblin ran," yells Ragnarr in his gravelly voice. The wounded and slightly woozy man-beast turns and runs back around the corner of the log stack, screaming in fury at the goblin he spots on the other side... "FLEE, WORM, OR THOR'S MIGHT SHALL CLEAVE YOU WITH MY AXE!!!"
"Vlad, careful of the logs to the right, where the goblin ran," yells Ragnarr in his gravelly voice. The wounded and slightly woozy man-beast turns and runs back around the corner of the log stack, screaming in fury at the goblin he spots on the other side... "FLEE, WORM, OR THOR'S MIGHT SHALL CLEAVE YOU WITH MY AXE!!!"
Hrafn lies against the woodstack, panting like a wounded animal. He looks to be out of the fight, but perhaps... there is a flicker of cunning behind his half-closed eyes. He watches Svein carefully, playing dead and waiting for an opportunity.
"Vlad, careful of the logs to the right, where the goblin ran," yells Ragnarr in his gravelly voice. The wounded and slightly woozy man-beast turns and runs back around the corner of the log stack, screaming in fury at the goblin he spots on the other side... "FLEE, WORM, OR THOR'S MIGHT SHALL CLEAVE YOU WITH MY AXE!!!"
The profusely bleeding and limping goblin needing little more encouraging shrieks at the sight of the furious half-orc. He breaks out into a limping run .
Initiative
Goblin 20 (done)
Vladimir 19
Hrafn 16 (posted)
Dorvarr 15
Svein 13
Ragnarr 9
Hrafn lies against the woodstack, panting like a wounded animal. He looks to be out of the fight, but perhaps... there is a flicker of cunning behind his half-closed eyes. He watches Svein carefully, playing dead and waiting for an opportunity.
Svein keeping his longsword ready ignores the wounded Hrafn and smiles maliciously at Vladimir; "Come on pup" he growls.
Vlad narrows his eyes and flicks his hair back, circling the traitor.
"Pup, am I? Come on then, you old cur, perhaps I can teach you something about honour and bravery." With that, Vlad lurches forwards, swinging his sword overhead while keeping his shield up to guard his body.
The sword crunches through the traitor's defenses, and blood wells forth between the rings of his chain shirt.
Vlad narrows his eyes and flicks his hair back, circling the traitor.
"Pup, am I? Come on then, you old cur, perhaps I can teach you something about honour and bravery." With that, Vlad lurches forwards, swinging his sword overhead while keeping his shield up to guard his body.
The sword crunches through the traitor's defenses, and blood wells forth between the rings of his chain shirt.
Svein roars in pain as Vladimir's blade tears a deep gash. He levels a venomous gaze at the young knight.
Seeing Vlad's deft maneuver, Dorvarr takes the open charge lane, calling loudly as he goes.
"Thor smite this foe!"
"Thor guides my arm well tonight! May you feast in Valhalla!"
Seeing Vlad's deft maneuver, Dorvarr takes the open charge lane, calling loudly as he goes.
"Thor smite this foe!"
"Thor guides my arm well tonight! May you feast in Valhalla!"
Dorvarr's powerful charge slams into Svein sending the brute staggering back. His wounds are considerable. His eyes grow wild with frenzy. With a quick strike his leg kicks out to the right slamming the lumber stack.
Laughing he pulls back 5'. The logs with a hefty groan lurch forward and then come skittering down in a crash.The heavy logs slam down upon Vladimir yet miracuolously Dorvarr swinging to the side evades the falling logs.
Ragnarr sees the logs fall, and races down the aisle, hoping to intercept Svein. He stops at the next junction, axe poised to strike, while he keeps his back against the logs. Come, traitor, come closer and meet my axe, the man-beast thinks to himself.
Hrafn curses as the logs come down on Vlad and black-hearted Svein moves further away. With a grunt of pain he wills himself to his feet, using his longstaff for support. So much for playing dead...
Hrafn helps Vlad up then moves cautiously forwards, wary of the traitor's speed. Where's Ragnarr..?
Ragnarr sees the logs fall, and races down the aisle, hoping to intercept Svein. He stops at the next junction, axe poised to strike, while he keeps his back against the logs. Come, traitor, come closer and meet my axe, the man-beast thinks to himself.
His focus on his enemies in front of him, Svein only casts a glance to where he had originally emerged from. His mail drenched in blood and his staggering gait belie his grievous condition.
Casually hopping over the rolling logs, the stout man closes on the traitor. Raising his hammer high, he brings it down again in a swift action.
With any luck, that will keep Svein down long enough to make sure everyone's okay. How is everyone doing? Still standing? Bleeding like stuck pigs?
Casually hopping over the rolling logs, the stout man closes on the traitor. Raising his hammer high, he brings it down again in a swift action.
With any luck, that will keep Svein down long enough to make sure everyone's okay. How is everyone doing? Still standing? Bleeding like stuck pigs?
His wounds slowing him Svein almost evades Dorvarr's blow but the hammer catches him in the leg striking with tremendous force. A sickening sound of splintering bone follows as the traitor's kneecaps are crushed. Svein lets out a howl of anguish dropping to the ground. Miraculously the man still clings tenaciously to life remaining concious .
With great willpower Svein lifts his head. Blood gurgles from his mouth as he speaks hoarsely from his cracked lips, "Send me to the Corpse-Hall, bastard."
With great willpower Svein lifts his head. Blood gurgles from his mouth as he speaks hoarsely from his cracked lips, "Send me to the Corpse-Hall, bastard."
Ragnarr emerges from around the logpile around the corner and puts his great axe to Svein's neck. Blood still drips from the man-beast's spear wounds, and an ominous light shines in his eyes. "Maybe... after you tell us what you know, traitor... and what we want to know..."
Vlad pushes himself up, his left arm dislocated and the wound in his back still bleeding from the goblin's spear, and forces himself to gaze at Svein.
"That was ill-done, but Thor and Tyr have seen to it that you were punished for your action." He drives his sword-blade into the ground to help him stand, then holds up a hand to Ragnarr, staying the deathblow.
"Svein, why would you do this? What did Halfdeane not offer you? You can still die a good death yet."
"Svein! Yield what you know!"
Vlad pushes himself up, his left arm dislocated and the wound in his back still bleeding from the goblin's spear, and forces himself to gaze at Svein.
"That was ill-done, but Thor and Tyr have seen to it that you were punished for your action." He drives his sword-blade into the ground to help him stand, then holds up a hand to Ragnarr, staying the deathblow.
"Svein, why would you do this? What did Halfdeane not offer you? You can still die a good death yet."
As your band gathers around the crippled warrior with Ragnarr's axe blade glinting overhead Svein curls his lip in disdain. Further blood issues forth. A gurgling laugh resonates through the man's shattered lungs.
"Makes no difference now... I was at Krakenvik. I saw Halfdeane's fleet burn. But twasn't just Sihtric's forces... The sorceror ... His shades took my ship. I saw them face to face, black, cold and lifeless.. stolen souls... I ran but never forgot what I saw that day. But they knew what I'd seen." His speech is interrupted as a burst of painful coughing wracks his body. "They seeked me out. One of the shades with em. Caught up with me in Brattahlid. Chose to serve. Told me to come here and told to seek out the goblins. Burn the wood, prove my loyalty... Goblins attacked too early didn't wait for the damn signal. I told them a thousand times... Didn't have the oil ready." Svein nearly doubles over wincing in pain. His gaze holding at the sight of his destroyed leg. Svein growls through his agony, "Do it you bastards. Send me to the Corpse-Hall. I expect I'll see you there soon."
Ragnarr looks from Svein to his companions, ready to deliver the coup de grace... The traitor's tale seems to make him a little nervous. Yet something their fallen foe said also piques the man-beast's curiosity... "Who are 'they' that you speak of... 'they' that knew what you saw, 'they' that told you to seek the goblins and burn the wood to prove yourself? 'They' is not these spirits that you speak of... are they? And what of this sorcerer?" Ragnarr spits as he mentions the latter word.
Ragnarr looks from Svein to his companions, ready to deliver the coup de grace... The traitor's tale seems to make him a little nervous. Yet something their fallen foe said also piques the man-beast's curiosity... "Who are 'they' that you speak of... 'they' that knew what you saw, 'they' that told you to seek the goblins and burn the wood to prove yourself? 'They' is not these spirits that you speak of... are they? And what of this sorcerer?" Ragnarr spits as he mentions the latter word.
"End him. He has not the wit to seek beyond his own cowardice. He knows nothing of those that sent him - a tool, merely."
Hrafn deliberately seeks to provoke Svein into one last revelation...
"End him. He has not the wit to seek beyond his own cowardice. He knows nothing of those that sent him - a tool, merely."
"Nor the honour... I don't think the All Father would allow a traitor into his Hall, unless the man tried to undo the wrongs he had done against his own... right, Dorvarr?"
Ragnarr looks from Svein to his companions, ready to deliver the coup de grace... The traitor's tale seems to make him a little nervous. Yet something their fallen foe said also piques the man-beast's curiosity... "Who are 'they' that you speak of... 'they' that knew what you saw, 'they' that told you to seek the goblins and burn the wood to prove yourself? 'They' is not these spirits that you speak of... are they? And what of this sorcerer?" Ragnarr spits as he mentions the latter word.
"I do not know who they are. But they control those things. Some say a sorceror works for Sihtric. He is called Carloman. Perhaps it was his apprentice I met."
As Hrafn taunts the wheezing man, his head turns and his icy gaze locks on to Hrafn "Say what you will wild-man but you did not see the very gates of Hel open that day. You have not seen these shadows or felt their touch. Things they know, their voices... impossible." You see that plainly a visible tremble even the memory of the black day."You call me coward but we shall see how you quail before them. Even if Halfdeane should have ships ready for spring.. Sihtric will come and Hel and darkness will be riding in with him."
Vlad listens, white-faced, to the tale of supernatural horrors, then looks down to Svein.
"Halfdeane always taught me that in death and love, a man's measure is marked, and in dying, you have shown yours. You served Halfdeane in life and in your dying..." Vlad pauses, and smiles grimly at the man.
"In your dying, you accomplish nothing. Join us, fight once more for Halfdeane, and we will raise the war banners here, and send those sorcerers to cower 'neath the tables in Thor's hall. If what you say is true, we need every able-bodied man to fight on our side. Even you."
"In your dying, you accomplish nothing. Join us, fight once more for Halfdeane, and we will raise the war banners here, and send those sorcerers to cower 'neath the tables in Thor's hall. If what you say is true, we need every able-bodied man to fight on our side. Even you."
"Once proved traitor, outcast forever. It's the natural law of the pack, and this curr deserves no more mercy. He belongs in Hel's cold embrace."
Hrafn turns and stalks off to bind his wounds. Muttered under his breath, inaudible, "Be wary Vlad, if you would take a known serpent as a companion."
"First a goblin for a companion, Vlad, and now a traitor? And where is your goblin now? Svein cannot be trusted..."
"Every man, and, I suppose, every creature, deserves a chance to change. If they refuse, then change overtakes them. Halfdeane taught me that, and he is a man much wiser than I am."
Vlad listens, white-faced, to the tale of supernatural horrors, then looks down to Svein.
"Halfdeane always taught me that in death and love, a man's measure is marked, and in dying, you have shown yours. You served Halfdeane in life and in your dying..." Vlad pauses, and smiles grimly at the man.
"In your dying, you accomplish nothing. Join us, fight once more for Halfdeane, and we will raise the war banners here, and send those sorcerers to cower 'neath the tables in Thor's hall. If what you say is true, we need every able-bodied man to fight on our side. Even you."
Svein lets out a croaking laugh. "By Odin how you prattle pup... I pick fights one can win. A head full o glory and fancy heroics will soon be a head you will lose. If you haven't the stomach for finishing me off then I promise ye this I'll leave this cursed island. If you had any sense you'd be doing the same."
With a quick nudge of his foot, Dorvarr kicks the blade into the fallen man's hand.
"Make your choice quick. We will suffer no treachery, so you can help, or you can die." The stout man shoots a quick glance at the bestial figure poised for the kill. "It matters not to us. We walk with the Gods' blessings. Dare not doubt us."
Svein lets out a croaking laugh. "By Odin how you prattle pup... I pick fights one can win. A head full o glory and fancy heroics will soon be a head you will lose. If you haven't the stomach for finishing me off then I promise ye this I'll leave this cursed island. If you had any sense you'd be doing the same."
Hrafn has said his piece and walked off. When his own wounds are stable, he starts exploring the remains of the logging camp. He looks for any remaining threats; any wounded allies to help; any wounded goblins to kill.