Well, what did you expect? Entertainment never gets to eat with everybody else. He finishes his second, and far superior, lunch in relative quiet, flirting with the staff as the opportunity presents itself, but avoiding anything that might be perceived as aggressive.
He leaves a couple of the silver he just received, and heads back out into the crowd, looking for opportunities. They could be opportunities to do a quick show. They could be opportunities to more directly enrich himself. They could be opportunities to help other entertainers or barkers improve their take for the day. Or, something else. Opportunities abound for the open mind!
Khal fishes a few of his remaining silvers from his purse and lays them out. "The common room is fine." he says in what might be his longest sentence of the day. With that settled, he spends his time wandering through the festival look at the entire world of things he would've never dreamed of in his homeland. The richness and luxury of it all was breathtaking to him. How all these people could spend all day doing nothing but spending money and eating was truly a wonder.
If the Cathedral itself was open, he tried to duck inside out of the hubbub of the crowd and spend a few moments in prayer to Desna or any of the other gods who would aid him on his quest.
As they move to the next merchant, Bartholomew smiles. "That scarf does indeed bring out the color of your eyes quite well," he says as he turns his back on the shopkeeper and lowers his voice. "It's a very fine weave as well, worth much more than they are charging for it. A bargain if I ever saw one." He winks conspiratorially. "Do you want a haggling partner?"
Seeing that most of his table companions were leaving, Adarion would follow their example. He leaves a few coins for the waiting staff and decides to explore the rest of the festival, visiting the competitions being held and trying some of the treats available at the various stalls laid out for the festival.
After splitting from your free meal, you each busy yourself with your own interests at the festival. Some may partake in games, while others put on a show of their own, and still others just take in the sights.
As the day marches on and late afternoon begins to set in a few of the organizers of the festivities go around announcing that the consecration ceremony will begin shortly and try to huddle the masses back toward the town square.
There is a general rowdiness to the crowd from everyone's excitement for the consecration about to begin and the chatter of people talking about the festivities of the day.
A sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, slices through the excited air as the sun’s setting rays paint the western sky. A stray dog that had crawled under a nearby wagon to sleep starts awake, and the buzz of conversations quickly hushes as all heads turn toward the central podium where a beaming Father Zantus has taken the stage. He clears his throat, takes a breath to speak, and suddenly a woman’s scream slices through the air. A few moments later, another scream rises, then another. Beyond them, a sudden surge of strange new voices rises — high-pitched, tittering shrieks that sound not quite human. The crowd parts and something low to the ground races by, giggling with disturbing glee as the stray dog gives a pained yelp and then collapses with a gurgle, its throat cut open from ear to ear. As blood pools around its head, the raucous sound of a strange song begins, chanted from shrill, scratchy voices.
"Goblins chew and Goblins bite,
Goblins cut and Goblins fight,
Stab the dog and gut the horse,
Goblins eat and take by force!"
In an instant the relatively orderly celebration becomes a storm of chaos. Townsfolk run in every direction, many not even understanding what the threat is. Screams and calls of pain come from all over as do cackling laughs. Near the well a goblin chases a local boy while screaming "Gives the candy!". Another heads toward the stage after Father Zantus, while one more holds a torch to a nearby tent lighting it on fire. Two gang up on Adarion, ready to attack.
The screams might not have caught Bartholomew's attention, but the sudden presence of death certainly does. "Shayliss, get someplace safe. Find other people and start the water lines." Bartholomew is well-acquainted with the village's practice of hauling water from the harbor to put out fires from being "forcibly volunteered" as an active member of the Bucket Brigade.
Bartholomew strides past the metallic-haired stranger to get a good view of the goblin threatening the stage. In the goblin's native tongue, he calls out:
"Goblin cook and goblin burn,"
"Goblin fume and never learn,"
"Goblin love the fire so much,"
"Here it comes - it's your turn!"
Tossing a couple handfuls of powder into a small casket, Bartholomew gives it a good shake before tossing it towards the lone goblin.
Adarion had picked a good spot to look at the consecration of the new church. He had a good view of the stage and there was a wagon nearby he could stand on if he needed an even better view. He was eating a nice treat, some sort of pastry that he'd never seen before, while waiting for the ceremony to start. The sharp retort surprised him, unexpected as it was, and he dropped the last bite of his treat on the ground. A nearby dog startled awake at the loud noise and Adarion shot a rueful grin at it before turning around to the stage, the wagon and sleepy dog now at his back. At least I wasn't the only one surprised, he thinks as Father Zantus gets ready to speak up on stage.
A woman nearby screams and Adarion looks at her puzzled, not understanding why she screamed. Then another person, and another, begin screaming and a loud yelp sounds at his back followed by a horrible gurgling noise. He spins around and is horrified to see the previously sleepy dog bleeding out onto the cobbles, legs kicking weakly in an attempt to get away from the pain. A group of goblins grin evilly at him, chanting a horrible rhyme in their shrill voices while one holds a torch up to a nearby tent. The sudden and unexpected violence leave Adarion shocked, training forgotten, and two of the creatures jump for him before he can react.
"GOBLINS!" the young Varisian yells in Taldane as he points at each of the goblins he sees. Then he pulls his sap (what physically active entertainer who isn't fencing wears a rapier to perform?) as he turns to face the one closest to him.
Khalbar had almost enjoyed his day at the festival, the crowd and distractions taking his mind off the loss he felt nearly all the rest of the time. As the festivities began to draw to a close, he waited for the consecration along with all the others. As the father readies to speak, the Shoanti shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Much to his surprise the screams and the onslaught of the little chaotic goblins got Khalbar unawares. The stampeding crowd slowed his reaction even further.
As the goblins pressed their surprise advantage, Khalbar's anger began to burn...
As the goblins unleash their surprise attack, Gudada notices them just as they are starting their attack and has time to draw a weapon. As one of the goblins moves toward the platform, Bart tosses a bomb at him. It hits him squarely in the chest knocking him to the ground as he bleeds out. The other goblins proceed to attack.
The two on Adarion stab at him with their blades.
One of the two goblins finds an opening and stabs Adarion in the thigh. The goblin with the torch, happy with his work of setting one of the tents on fire, turns his attention to the nearest target and hustles over to Kharlbar in an attempt to light him on fire as well.
However, using the torch as a weapon proves difficult for the goblin as he nearly hits him self in the face with it. The last goblin finally catches the kid and steals the candy, as the child runs off crying. Happy with it's new prize he turns his attention to the fight and moves to help his companions.
As the chaos continues, the crowd thins out as people flee in all directions. You see the sheriff and a few guards making quick work of another small group of goblins further to the west where much of the games were being held. To the south west you notice Daviren Hosk, a retired adventurer and owner of the Goblin Squash Stables, dealing with two goblins of his own. It appears that the goblins running a muck in the square are left to you to manage.
Sven was doing reasonably well at a lifting game, even if many of the residents seemed to give him a wide berth. Naesehorn was snuffling at the ground, looting for grass to eat and periodically sniffing at passers by. When the first scream rang out, Sven was confused and a little slow to react. He saw some of his former lunch companions being accosted by the small humanoids, in particular he turned to see Adarion ambushed by three of them. ”Adarion, don’t worry, we are coming.” Cursing softly to himself, he readied his shield and moved towards the closest foe. With a simple glance and one word, ”Angreb”, Naeshorn looked up from her food and charged the Goblin flanking Adarion, nostrils flaring.
The pain of the goblin's attack pushes Adarion out of his shock and his training finally kicks in. He assesses the situation while hissing in pain, noticing that the two goblins who initially attacked him have been joined by a third at his back. The goblin's attack had also opened up a painful gash in his thigh and he could feel the blood trickling down his leg. Not good!, he thinks worriedly to himself.
Hearing his table companion's offer of aid is of great relief to him. He limps back in the direction of the half-orc's shout and draws his longsword, focusing on trying to deflect or block any attacks that the goblins send his way.
"Magic is all things, and in all things. It is in the air, the stone, the flame, the water. It is time, space, and the void. It will nurture you, it will consume you, and always will it be your master! Magic is all things..." Nyx proclaims forcefully with a strange grin, inspiring courage in all who hear him.
Nyx continues his inspirational speech, then steps forward and casts guidance on Bart. ”The All-Seeing Eye guides your hand!”
A 1st-level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the bard's performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Round 1
Khalbar avoids the flaming brand swung around wildly by the goblin brave. At once is fight or flight instinct kicks in, and he knows goblins are no match for him in a fair fight, plus all these innocent civilians might get hurt if someone didn't do something.
Unlimbering the axe from his back, Khalbar takes it in hand and swings it in a wide arc over the head of the goblin before bringing it crashing down with all his might on the unfortunate foe.
Wiping the blood from his face with the back of his arm, Khalbar sizes up the situation, looking for the next closest foe or any other nearby drama that he can intervene in.
Seeing the clump of people being surrounded by goblins, 'Dada slides behind one trying to take out the longsword-wielding elf and sees if he can't reduce the threat, some.
Looking for the largest group of goblins, Bartholomew spies several harassing the elf he met at the tavern earlier today. Frowning, he studies the positions of the combatants before nodding.
"Step away from the goblins!" he calls to those fighting the invaders. "Make a space around them!"
Gudada comes up behind one of the goblins attacking Adarion and smacks it in the head with the sap. It crumples to the ground, knocked out by the Varisian's well placed hit. While Nyx continues to inspire you all with his strange words, he infuses Bartholomew with a bit of arcane energy. Adarion moves to try and get in a better position and draws his sword while taking a defensive stance, hoping to better protect himself from the goblins swarming him.
Kharlbar slices the goblin in two from shoulder to hip as it falls to the ground un-moving. Sven pulls out his shield and comes to assist Adarion while he commands Naeshorn to charge. As it does the goblin is able to dodge out of the way of the beasts horn avoiding any damage.
Bart stands near Nyx and yells to the others to clear some space while he waits for an opening to act.
The goblins continue their assault on the town. While the majority in the nearby vicinity are being dealt with you see a stray goblin here and there. One jumps off a nearby roof trying to get the drop on someone, but misses horribly and lands on it's head with a loud crack as it lies their motionless. However, the more immediate threat is the goblins on Adarion who continue to attack, having already drawn blood once, they are only excited to continue to attempt to inflict pain.
The first goblin finds an opening and stabs Adarion in the gut. The other goblin is too distracted by the beast near him to concentrate and swings wide, missing.
The crowd continues to disperse and the square is almost completely clear of any more civilians. Father Zantus, seeing Adarion bleeding profusely, comes down from the stage and yells over to Adarion. Come to me, I can heal your wounds. He waits, near the stage taking cover.
Sven draws his scimitar. He and Naesehorn take another shot at the goblins they are engaging, emboldened somehow by Nyx’s speech. Hearing Bartholemew’s request to disengage, he shouts at Adarion, ”get back if you can!”
Move action - draw scimitar
Standard actions - attack/attack red. If red goes down, attack yellow.
Both 5 foot step south after attacking
Adarion tries his best to defend himself from the goblins' attacks, raising his longsword in front of himself and going into a defensive stance. Unfortunately, the stance puts pressure on his injured thigh and he stumbles, leaving a wide opening for one of the goblins. His eyes widen in surprise as the goblin's weapon slides home into his gut, a shocked grunt escaping from his lips.
Hearing his table-companions' pleas to back away from the goblins and Father Zantus' offer of healing, he pulls himself off the goblin's blade with a hissed intake of breath and stumbles backwards, widening the wound in the process. He clamps a hand over the wound, blood leaking through his fingers, and staggers towards Father Zantus, collapsing in a boneless heap just as he reaches the priest, bloodloss finally catching up to him.
With his immediate foe nothign more than a bloodsmear on the courtyard, Khalbar spies the other goblins savaging one of the men he had dinner with. The robed man just does make it away before collapsing of his wounds. Seeing the half-orc and his mammalian companion fighting the nearer goblin, Khalbar advances raising his greataxe as a threat before bringing it down on the rear goblin in a powerful downstroke.
"This one's just unconscious!" Gudada calls out as he moves into position to try to drop another out of the fight.
As Adarion limps off toward Father Zantus, Sven and his companion attempt one last attack, but can't manage to connect with the slippery goblin. They step back heading Bart's request, also opening the way for Kharlbar and Gudada to move in.
Kharlbar slices through another goblin, leaving another bloody mess in his wake. Gudada smacks the other one over the head, knocking his second goblin of the night unconscious.
With the goblin seemingly dealt with and any other nearby battles complete you feel like you have a moment to breath and process what is going on.
Zantus calls out a blessing to Desna and places his hands on Adarion's wounds.
After removing his hands, he wipes the blood from the wounds that have magically closed back up, returning Adarion back to consciousness.
Nodding at Khalbar and Gudada satisfactorily, Sven approaches Adarion, and nods at Zantus, "thank you father. Blessings of the traveler to you." He holds out his hand to Adarion, and assuming the elf takes it, Sven pulls him up. "Are you still in one piece?"
Heaving a big sigh, Khalbar wipes the gore from his axe on the grass near where he stands. He nods his recognition at Gudada, the performer, who seems handy with his sap as well.
"Two for you and two for me, eh? he asks the Varisian, indicating the two unconscious fiends with a nod of his head. He pokes one with his boot. "Why goblins attack village?"
He raises a hand to Sven who was also battling the invaders. The big man looks around for any more goblin threats a little dazed by the frenetic activity around the square.
Given the opportunity, he kneels down next to the unconscious goblins and throws their weapons away, searching them for any other loot, contraband or items of interest or value.
'Dada looks for something to tie the goblins up with, settling on their own rags if nothing else is available. "Maybe, but if these are left to run free when they wake up, I didn't really help, much. As to why they attacked?
After they wake up, we can ask. Or the law can. Whoever."
Khalbar has a long coil of rope in his pack which he offers to Guadada as he begins binding the sleeping goblins. Khalbar makes a pile of their weapons and torches putting them far out of reach of the bound pair.
Bartholomew tries to put out the flaming tent - or at least keep as much of its contents safe as he begins piling sand and loose dirt to extinguish as much as he can. "Does anyone have any water?" he calls to those nearby. "This is someone's livelihood here!"
Adarion slowly comes back to consciousness after the healing. He cracks open his eyes and sees Sven with an outstretched hand, ready to help him up. He grabs the hand, bracing himself for the pain he is sure will follow...and feels nothing as he is pulled to his feet. He examines the areas where he received the wounds and sees only pristine, healthy flesh. Checking the rest of his body, he notes that small scratches and the like that he had got earlier in the week had also healed.
"Yes, surprisingly...I feel fine. Better than fine really. I think I may have come out better than I was before this attack began," he responds to Sven with a surprised look on his face. He turns to Father Zantus and offers his hand, shaking Father Zantus' vigorously if he accepts. "Thank you, Father! To you and your Goddess! Your healing abilities are very impressive. Clearly, you are favoured strongly by Desna! Without your aid, I fear the goblins may have gotten the better of me!"
He turns back to Sven saying, "You and Naesehorn too Sven, I wouldn't have been able to make it to the good Father here without you coming to my aid! Thank you!" He turns and shouts his thanks to the others who helped as well. "Thank you all, friends! Without your aid, I fear my journey would have come to an abrupt and inglorious end!"
He then picks his longsword up off the ground and sheathes it, looking around to see if there is any action elsewhere in the square or its environs.
The sounds of the goblin attack continue to come from all around, their shrill song setting a disturbing accompaniment to the violence. However, with the square cleared and a moment to breath you take in your surroundings. After Father Zantus heals Adarion he rushes toward the entrance of the cathedral where two injured civilians lie bleeding and he tends to their wounds.
While Bart works to put out the fire in the tent, Gudada and Kharlbar work to tie up the two unconscious goblins. The rest of you look just in time to see a sudden flood of light come from the southeast followed by explosions and screeching laughter. A chorus of the continuing goblin song belts out as a group of goblins with torches stream out from behind a cart turned inferno. Five of the goblins appear ready to leap into action. Still near the cart a sixth seems to be the main source of the singing.
"Watch it burn like a pyre,
fire goes higher and higher,
cook the meat or eat it raw,
you all go into our maw!
More alert this time, Adarion is ready to react when he spots the goblins entering the square, their shrill voices immediately drawing his attention. His recent acquaintance with the end of a goblin blade making him more cautious, he draws his bow from over his shoulder. Concentrating for a moment, he uses his free hand to make a few gestures and a shimmering layer of force covers his body. "We've got more company," he shouts out to the others, just in case they haven't noticed the shrieking cacophony that just entered the square.
"The body of mind stands upon somebody else's legs!" shouts the half-mad priest as he moves back away from the incoming group of goblins.
A 1st-level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the bard's performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Sven focuses for a moment and casts a spell on his companion, ”Looks like it’s going to be a long day,” and they both move towards the new foes.
Standard (sven) - Sven casts shield companion on Naesehorn
Move- both move (Sven 20, Naesehorn 40)
Standard (Naesehorn) - She readies an action to attack a foe that comes adjacent to her (let me know if she can do this, I’m not sure). If so, here’s the attack.
Adarion prepares for the battle this time, not caught by surprise as before. A brief glimmer radiates over his body before dissipating from sight. Nyx begins talking in riddles as he moves away from the threat, but something in his words seem's to bolster you. Sven and his companion move toward the new threat.
As they do the goblins rush up toward the bizarre animal they have never seen before to try and kill it and claim a new trophy. However, only one is able to get in an attack while the others move to surround Naesehorn.
Overly excited by the prospect of murdering something new the goblin swings wide and misses completely. The one goblin singing moves up but continues it's awful song.
With a grunt of exertion, Khalbar bursts into a charge, crossing the now empty courtyard and closing on the nearest goblin. With an effort, he swings his axe in a wide arc using both hands to bring it around on the Blue Goblin with as much strength as he can muster.
Bartholomew studies the newcomers. Too close together - don't want to catch that furry creature in the blast. Probably doesn't appreciate having its pelt on fire. With a sigh, he gets out his sling and loads it with a rock off the ground as he steps towards a better angle.
Adarion notices one of the goblins trying to sneak around by the back of the stage. "One of them is trying to sneak around and flank us" he shouts to his companions. He turns to Father Zantus, "Father you should move back behind us, these goblins are dangerous and will attack anyone they can get their hands on. It wouldn't do to have you injured. Your healing skills will be vital to help any injured when this attack is repelled."
Warnings delivered, he moves back beside the wagon where he first got attacked, passing the now cooling corpse of the poor dog. Adarion stretches out his free hand towards the goblin trying to flank the group, muttering a few arcane words as he does so. His eyes flash green briefly before a blue-purple bolt of force erupts from a fingertip and flies unerringly towards the goblin, hitting it in the chest.
Sven says to Naesehorn in Skaldic: ”Bare rolig, ven, de er bare goblins.”
Move (Sven) - Sven moves to flank red
Standard Sven - attacks red
Free - handle animal to attack red
Standard Naesehorn - attacks red
Catching the warning about the flanker and scanning the area, Gudada hustles across the courtyard to prevent the goblin form having an easy shot at the priest. He cries out in goblin "No chop him. You not chop any!"
Bart and Gudada move in order to get into the fight, while Kharlbar rushes forward cutting down one of the goblins in a devestating swing of his axe. Noticing the flanking goblin, Adarion moves back and blasts the goblin with a ball of force he conjures. Sven and his animal work together to fight the goblin that had been flanking Naesehorn. Even so, the goblin manages to dodge their attacks. Nyx moves over to Bart and touches him while talking about the greatness of magic.
The singing goblin changes his song a bit as he casts a spell at Kharlbar.
All of a sudden he drops to the ground and bursts out laughing hysterically. The goblin shouts to the others "Kashe dariya longshank!"
The other goblins look to Kharlbar and move to attack. While the one attempting to sneak around goves for the closest target, Gudada.
Even with him rolling on the floor, laughing uncontrollably the goblins have a hard time hitting Kharlbar. One manages to get a good slice on him though. Gudada is not as lucky when the goblin on him stabs him in his leg causing a gush of blood.
Bartholomew watches Khalbar collapse in a fit of giggles. Making an educated guess as to the cause, he runs alongside the cluster of goblins until he can see the lone chanter. Twirling his sling, he lets his stone fly!
"Gaaaah! You stupid little . . .. Run, Father!" 'Dada steps around the stairs as he swings his sap at the lone goblin, hoping he doesn't have to take another dogslicer before the priest clears out.