[First Goblin Battle – epilogue]
Ned, Nicholae and Selia dash across the square, headed towards the north gate, trying to catch up to Mervyn. The clamor of violence and victims grows louder with each step. In a few seconds, you see Mervyn in the distance, who turns a sharp corner and squawks in surprise.
Jubrayl and Hakak smash into the chanter, who initially parries their blows, but despair overcomes her, and she flings her blade to the ground, her bending knees quickly following. She claps a meaty hand over her eyes, and cries with a bowed head, “Don’t hurt me. We just following orders, doing what we told. Nice men.” A glaring red eye, peeping between scaly fingers, follows you, not sure yet how accurate that last statement was.
Father Zantus directs several strong townsmen to fighting a couple of blazes, now mostly under control, and with helping any wounded. However, the square is mostly empty, strewn with garbage, bodies of dying goblins, spilled merchant carts, and smashed ale barrels. This is truly a festival to forget.
Hey, Zilt - One more attempt...
Jubrayl picks up the dropped weapon and hands it to Hakak.
Hakak, could you please hold on to this? I'd like to talk to her.
Nobody's going to hurt you. Who ordered you to attack Sandpoint? Why did you listen to them?
Hey, Zilt - One more attempt...
I think that's got it!
The priest looks around for anyone from the town needing healing.
[Second Goblin Battle – Surprise Round]
By now, the screech of goblin song has finally ended, their singers too hoarse to continue. Here at the north gate, however, there are still misdeeds aplenty.
Mervyn stops short after rounding the corner. At the end of the road, the three of you (Mervyn, Selia and Ned) spy another old friend from earlier years, Lleidr, who grew up in Wartle and travelled often to Sandpoint when his father had to ‘trek into town’. Lleidr is hiding from a trio of goblins, who were, until just now, hiding from a barking dog.
The dog, however, will bark no more. A goblin warrior, riding a hairless canine, has just speared the poor beast on his dog slicer, and has his owner, a rather well-dressed gentleman, up against the wall of the White Deer Inn. Cheers erupt from surrounding goblins just now crawling out from hiding, ecstatic at the death of their opponent.
The noble is hiding behind a rain barrel, yelling for help. The attention of the goblins seems entirely bent on this man.
For Lleidr, Mervyn, Ned and Selia: tell me 1 surprise action (move or standard)
NOTE: The goblin token at G11 looks a little odd. It’s the goblin commando riding atop his goblin dog. The newest member of our party, Lleidr, is at I2. The weird looking structure along the north-east corner of the map is the town gate.
Back at the town square …
(There’s no difference between a dogslicer or a long dogslicer … I was just being poetic. The weapon is crudely crafted, but very dangerous in capable hands).
“We goblins do what we told, less we be exiled. No goblin wants exile, see? One of you longshanks came to tribe and said we be burning and killing everyone in town. We burn, we kill while he goes to graveyard, see?”
Nicholae finds 3 very frightened children, with some small scrapes and bruises, hiding under a demolished market stall, which the goblins threatened to burn down for sport. The stall had been filled with goodies from Sandpoint Savories, but, much to the children’s annoyance, the goblins managed to eat every last apple tart that had been for sale.
The scattered fires in the square appear under control now. A slight breeze helps clear the air of smoke.
Here's the gentleman being threatened ...
Ned will move 30' closer then take a shot at the Goblin Commando.
vs flatfooted
Ned will move 30' closer then take a shot at the Goblin Commando.
[dice=longbow]d20+3 vs flatfooted
[dice=damage]d8
It's a surprise round so you can move .. or you can take a shot. Not at the leader though ... you don't have line of sight on him (pesky building!).
Well, there's only one reason why someone would go to the graveyard and need a diversion this big...
It seems we have a bit of a dilemma on our hands. I doubt this man who went to the graveyard will linger long if the goblins are beaten, but we don't know... Goblin, how many others of your kind are here in Sandpoint?
With the goblins' attention apparently now on the yowling dandy, I'll use a move action to quietly ready my short bow for a sneak attack, aiming at the nearest goblin that I can get line of sight on. (I'm thinking E4, but I'm unsure how much cover that tree/bush/shrub provides. May have to settle for the one at H6.) Hopefully his companions won't notice when he goes down.
Just for clarification, am I currently successfully Stealthed? The goblins don't see me but the trio of PC's does?
longbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 vs flatfooted
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Just for clarification, am I currently successfully Stealthed? The goblins don't see me but the trio of PC's does?
Yes, let's assume you were hiding from the goblins before the dog was killed. Your friends are the only ones apparently aware of you at this point.
Surprise Round
Mervyn will quickly move up to the goblin hiding around the corner of the building (M10).
Round 1
Mervyn will attempt to bury his switchscythe in the skull of said goblin.
Sorry for the delay. I posted last night in the discussion tab that it was going to be another day. Work was a nightmare yesterday.
This 'working for a living' thing is highly overrated.
[Second Goblin Battle – Surprise Round Results]
"Oh, this just won't do..." Selia falls into a trance, muttering quietly and drawing a small candle from a bag at her waist. A misty form begins to appear above her in the shape of an eagle.
You see Lleidr quietly withdraw a stout bow and aim it at the trio of goblins who have their backs to him. The goblins are busy celebrating the death of their dog opponent. (don’t worry about cover … you’re both under a large tree, but where you have some cover from a low-hanging bough, you’ve
Ned takes a step forward, and, with a twang, an arrow plunges deep into the side of a goblin (H6), who merely a second before, had been dancing atop a stool, pumping his fists into the air. His face takes a quizzical expression before his body plunges to the ground.
Mervyn runs up to the corner of the merchant’s house in front of you, eager to take on a new opponent.
Distracted from their prey, the goblins turn their heads in alarm at your approach. They look like they’re eager to meet your charge with great violence.
(Back at the square)
The prostrate goblin chanter giggles at Jubrayl’s question. “How many? Not sure, maybe this much.” She holds up both hands and displays her fingers. “Brinestump tribe told to come, so we come, see? Can I go now? Pretty face nicer than big pig-man friend.”
At Hakak’s question to Jubrayl, the chanter shudders. “I won’t hurt big town people again. I swear it. Let me go, and you see.”
As Nicholae helps the trio of scared, slightly wounded children to their feet, you notice a small goblin knife which had been lying to the side. The knife is crude, but probably treasured as an heirloom by the family of whatever goblin brought it. The make of the blade is without a doubt one common to the Mosswood goblin clans.
What we will do, is decide later! Father, do you have a large box inside that we could use?
Ned will move 30' to N9 and shout
It'll take you anyone a round, if they wish to join the melee near the North Gate. Each of you remaining in the square have a good enough notion of your companions' direction.
When it's my turn, I'll take a shot at the nearest goblin (E4). Since I'm attacking from Stealth and the goblins seem distracted by the other PC's, I'd like to make a Sneak Attack and I'll try to do it as a Sniping attack.
[dice=shortbow]d20+5 vs flatfooted
[dice=damage]d4-1
[dice=SneakAttackdamage]d6
[dice=SnipeSteath]d20+12-20
When it's my turn, I'll take a shot at the nearest goblin (E4). Since I'm attacking from Stealth and the goblins seem distracted by the other PC's, I'd like to make a Sneak Attack and I'll try to do it as a Sniping attack.
vs flatfooted
Nicholae charges towards the strife.
I agree, but we need a way to secure our little friend here... on second thought, you're coming with us!
Jubrayl grabs the goblin by one hand, holding his ax in the other, and heads toward the graveyard, nodding at Hakak to follow.
Father, we are going to the graveyard and need the others to know where we have gone. Please find the others and let them know. It's important that as many people as possible know about this new information we have.
[Second Goblin Battle – First Round Results]
Goblin1 turns at the sound of your approach, and a barked command from his mounted leader sends him scurrying (to M8). He charges straight at Mervyn, who is in the lead, and takes a swipe at the brave gnome. Mervyn parries the blade easily.
Goblin4 tears down the street, eager to engage the ranger and his lady friend (Q7).
Goblin2, gasping in alarm at Mervyn’s approach, also turns and joins his fellow in battle. He misses completely, and takes a step backward, apparently losing his taste for real battle.
Goblin5 throws greedy eyes upon his fallen comrade and, since his friends are taking care of the humans, decides he has time to rummage through his buddy’s things for some goodies. Finding a purloined fritter from Sandpoint Savory’s stall, he immediately gobbles down the treat.
(Note – since N9 would put Ned in the same space as Mervyn, and N8 would trigger an attack of opportunity from the goblin, if Ned did a ranged attack here, I’m assuming Ned would stop short and just move to O8. I’m also assuming Ned would run through Q9 instead of Q8.) Ned rushes closer to Mervyn, firing an arrow, which sails over the goblin’s head. "Over here you vermin! Time to die!"
Mervyn steps forward and brings his switch scythe down upon his opponent, gravely wounding him.
Selia has summoned an eagle (Since the casting time is 1 full round, and she began casting in the surprise round, both the eagle and Selia would each get only a move or standard action this round, I think. Feel free to correct me if this doesn’t sound right.) The eagle appears right in front of Goblin4, who shudders to a dead stop, barely dodging a set of knife-like talons.
Selia moves parallel to the north wall, and hefts her crossbow. (I don't see a post from Selia about her 1st round move, so I'm assuming a move action to get better aim).
The goblin commando and his hairless, rat-tailed mount take off, towards the north gate, before turning slightly. He fires an arrow, which bursts to splinters upon hitting Ned’s iron helm.
Lleidr takes another shot, but misses, since his target took off running and the goblin leader rode across his field of vision.
Nicholae comes running up the street to join you all.
The nobleman stares in utter disbelief at his good fortune. Instead of immediately running, he watches you while slowly climbing out from behind the wooden cistern.
(Sandpoint Boneyard)
Zantus nods at your suggestion, and a town guardsman takes off towards the north gate.
With their prisoner in tow, Jubrayl and Hakak run into the boneyard which lies immediately behind the new chapel. Up against the town wall, which borders the boneyard’s opposite side, it’s obvious that something isn’t right. A 20’ square stone vault used for many years to house the remains of prior priests, acolytes and caretakers, usually sits with its door shut tight. Instead, the door hangs open, and old Naffer Vosk is walking up to it, shaking his head. Vosk has maintained these grounds since Nualia’s father led this parish. The path is full of many recent footprints, as many as 6 different goblins by the look of it. But one set of prints definitely belongs to a human-sized person.
Is that the man you spoke to, goblin?
Jubrayl will walk up and duck behind a gravestone, waiting to talk to the goblin.
Ned drops his bow, quickdraws his greatsword and charges the gobin commander (should be able to avoid an AoO but he'll charge regardless) bellowing,
(-2 to ac from charge)
Nicolae also charges the same (Q7?) swinging at the rider.
Based on the goblins' actions and Lleidr's miss, I think he managed at least to remain unnoticed. If that's the case, I'd like to make another Sneak attack, and since I like dice rolls, I'll go ahead and try it as a Snipe attack again.
Keeping a wary eye on the goblin leader and his canine mount, Lleidr will fire an arrow at the goblin at G5.
"Hope you enjoyed your last meal, ychydig pla!"
maybe vs flatfooted?
if applicable
again, if appropriate
Hunh. Does this game system include critical failures? Did I just run face first into the tree trunk trying to hide again?
Nicolae also charges the same (Q7?) swinging at the rider.
Mervyn ignores the goblin who had charged him and presses the attack against the one that had been gravely wounded.
"My letters shall take your soul!" Mervyn shrieks at the goblin as he reverses the momentum of the switchscythe to bring it directly back at the goblin's ribcage.
Mervyn curses loudly as the switchscythe whistles past the goblin, just shy of the creature's body.
Yes, the mounted goblin commando, ie the presumed leader since none of the other goblins are mounted, is at K3, near Lleidr.
ok - Nic charges at the one in Q7 in any case
[Second Goblin Battle –Round Two Results]
Goblin4 (Q7) makes a few half-hearted stabs at the eagle that’s harrying him, holding up his dogslicer more as an effort to protect his head and face than to kill his opponent.
Goblin2 (L11) gasps in shock at Mervyn’s attack, snarls and then swings down hard with his dogslicer. Instinctively, the gnome brings his shield up, and the weapon crashes hard upon it.
Goblin5 (H3), hearing something whiz by his head, sees an arrow newly buried in the side of the White Deer Inn. In a rage, he spins and rushes at Lleidr, but he’s too eager to bring his weapon to bear, and the Halfling deftly dodges the attack. “Goblins love half-man stew!”
Nicholae runs towards the goblin at Q7, who was so distracted by the eagle’s harassment that he ignored other potential perils. The little goblin is quickly cut down.
Ned makes a direct line for the north gate, trying to intercept the mounted goblin, bellowing, "Fleeing is not an option, coward!" His greatsword bites through the goblin’s tough leather armor, eliciting a grimace from the grinning warrior.
Goblin1 steps up, and gets behind Mervyn with an evil laugh. “We both take you, old gnome!” The surrounded gnome can’t bring his shield backwards fast enough, and suffers a glancing blow (2 hp dmg … it’s weird how well these numbers work to tell a story. If this goblin hadn’t had a flanking bonus, he would have missed).
Lleidr (Note, I’m assuming you’d step backwards 5’ away from your opponent, to avoid an Attack of Opportunity if you were to use a ranged weapon in melee range) takes a step backward, yelling "Hope you enjoyed your last meal, ychydig pla!", and lets loose with another arrow at point blank range. The arrow strikes true, but the goblin keeps coming forward!
Mervyn ignores the goblin who had charged him and presses the attack against the one that had been gravely wounded. "My letters shall take your soul!" Mervyn shrieks at the goblin as he reverses the momentum of the switchscythe to bring it directly back at the goblin's ribcage. But the effort comes to naught and he curses loudly as the switchscythe whistles past the goblin, just shy of the creature's body.
The goblin commando yanks hard on his reins, and goes flying down the street, in front of the White Deer Inn (E16). The nobleman cringes at the goblin’s thundering approach, and ducks behind the water barrel again. Taking no notice of the man, the goblin pulls a small bottle from his pouch, and gulps down most of a black elixir, with small drops of the remainder beading on his greenish-grey chin. “Mmm, feel better now.”
(Note, Selia didn’t post today, so I’m assuming she would fire her xbow and direct her eagle to help Mervyn). Selia fires a crossbow bolt at Mervyn’s closest assailant. The quarrel dangles off the creature’s armor.
The eagle sails up over the building, then plunges out of the sky in front of the Inn, cawing at Mervyn’s other attacker. Talons tear at goblin flesh, and the little beast crumples under the fearsome onslaught.
This image is from a few seconds earlier in the battle, after the goblin commando had just speared the nobleman's dog.
(Sandpoint Boneyard)
Jubrayl and Hakak’s prisoner shrugs at the question, as the three of you watch the old man shuffle towards the vault’s wide open door. “You longshanks all same to me. ‘Cept for this one,” pointing at Hakak. “You pretty scary.”
Hakak growls. “Ole Vosk here would never help goblins, Jub. He’s probably mad about the mess they left. What do you think they did up there to the vault?”
Naffer Vosk continues to walk up to the vault, seemingly oblivious to your presence. An uneasy chill settles over the boneyard, and the chaos in the other streets now feels miles away.
Ned will take an attack of opportunity as the goblin commander moves away:
Then move to I3 and attack the goblin at H3:
[prelude – Start of the Swallowtail Festival]
NOTE – In order to facilitate more play, I thought it might help to have a few scenes from prior to the goblin attack at the same time as we resolve the goblin attack. I highly recommend finding a copy of the old Player’s Guide for Rise of the Runelords on Paizo’s site. Ned’s got a link to it in the Discussion tab; look for a post for him from 8/31/13. Page 17 has especially relevant background that all of you should have.
The Festival begins as promised, before mid-day, and the square in front of the new chapel is packed with folks from town and surrounding communities. Merchant tents and stalls line the square’s borders, full of food, clothes, crafts, and toys.
You’ve already spotted your old friends, or most of them, but the crowds are so thick, it’s impossible at the moment to get them all together. So, you settle in, content to take in the opening speeches.
Mayor Deverin is first to speak, friendly and jovial as always. Cheers erupt as she takes the podium. It would seem that the Late Unpleasantness is finally forgotten. As the mayor brags on Father Zantus’ hard work and the bright future ahead for Sandpoint, both the fire and Chopper’s legacy feel very distant.
Sheriff Belor Hemlock, dour as usual, reminds the townsfolk to be especially careful and observant around tonight’s bonfire.
Lonjiku Kaijitsu was to have been the next speaker, but his replacement announces that a sudden illness had forced him to cancel. However, his replacement, Cyrdak Drokkus doesn’t seem disappointed at all, and regales the crowd with jokes and rhyming songs that has everyone clapping and cheering in unison. In closing, he announces, “And, don’t miss your chance tomorrow night, to come and see our new production of ‘The Harpy’s Curse’! The lead role of Avisera, the Harpy Queen, will be played by none other than Allishanda, from Magnimar!”
Finally Father Zantus stands. “Thank you all so much for being here today. This is a day that we all have struggled, scrimped, and saved for, for several years now. Enjoy the free food and drink, see a show, play some games, but most of all, let us remember those who never had a chance to see Sandpoint rebuilt. Be safe and have a good time today. The Swallowtail Festival is officially underway.”
As the cheers wash over you, you feel a sudden pang of loss. Nualia dying in the fire was hard on all of you, but the sadness is somewhat ameliorated by the promise of reunion with the rest of your gang. Selia & Nick, Lleidr, old Ned, Jubrayl, Mervyn the gnome, and even Hukak are all supposed to be here today. You’ve already seen some of them.
What would you like to sample first? Games? Shows? Food? The variety of pleasant entertainments is quite promising.
Ned will wander over to look at what games are available.
Games could be good - but food after please.
After the speeches, Jubrayl wanders off to find some games, noting that aside from being exceptionally celebratory, Sandpoint is very much the same, only without Nualia.