Wren was so frustrated, she threw caution to the wind. She pulled her dagger and moved to flank the hobgoblin with anyone who could use the distraction. ”Get him, doggone it! We have to save the town!”
Jillian works with Selde to take advantage of their positioning. Bringing her blade to bear and swinging at the hobgoblin.
However, her near fatal injury seems to still be getting the best of her as she swings wide once again.
Selde's spear benefits from Jillian's positioning and the earlier blessing that Wren gave. The blade cuts deep into the soldier's chest, opening the way for the rest of the party to take him down.
Jet tries to join into the action and chucks her frying pan in the direction of the hobgoblin, but there are far too many people in the way and it bounces harmlessly off a shelf of goods to the floor.
HP 12/12
AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14
Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +0
CMD 16
Martial Flexibility: 1/4
Effects: Guidance
"Screw this guy," Caspan growls and grabbing a pan of grease, flings at at the hobgoblin's face, blinding him.
Father Emil is a man of peace, but knows that fighting in self defense is honorable and, however regrettable, necessary sometimes. He glances back to be sure no new foes have entered to threaten Aubrin, and then takes advantage of the hobgoblin's dazed and blinded condition to step past Thael and Caspan to attack the hobgoblin with his scythe. "Enough!" he shouts as he drives the scythe's pointy end into the enemy.
Father Emil's sick nearly takes down the hobgoblin, but somehow he barely manages to stay on his feet.
As the grease lands on his face burns his face and blinds him, a tremendous cry of pain replaces his stout demands for a surrender. He swings his sword across his body once, but without being able to see a target it doesn't even come close to hitting a target.
Jillian holds her blade at the ready and attempts to talk the hobgoblin down. Not intending to threaten, but just stating as a matter of fact she notes "You're outnumbered and debilitated. Surrender or we will be forced to put an end to you."
If the hobgoblin does not yield she will attack.
The enemy does not surrender and quickly pays for it with his life. When Jillian strikes the creature with her blade, its head topples from its body and falls to the ground in two pieces.
With the immediate threat over, Jet sighs with relief. She looks around and asks, "Are there any more? Is it safe?" Getting an affirmation, she heads back to the room she was in and opens up a trap door and calls down, "C'mon out, it's time to go!"
Three people climb up out of the cellar, patrons the group recognizes from the Taproot before the violence broke out. As each patron makes its way to the party, they thank you for your help.
Jet climbs up to the top shelf and pulls off a dusty lockbox before tossing it to you. "Here, take these in case they help. I've been saving them up for a rainy day."
As Caspan eluded to earlier, there are supplies here on the shelves, in the pantry and in the basement that can be taken with you. A keg of clean water and various food supplies add up to 8 Provision Points.
While the party is gathering up the supplies, they here some shouting and banging from the upper rooms of the Taproot. Jet looks up and sighs, "I saw Farrow and Clidon running upstairs just as the fighting began, I bet they are still up there. Maybe you can go get them and bring them along?"
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Caspan looks over the things in the box -- "Don't got much use for these sticks, but what are the drinks?" he asks -- and the three people who were in the cellar.
"Upstairs?" he says unhappily at Jet's words. "Hrngh. I was just up there!"
He goes to the base of the stairs and calls out loudly.
"Come out now. We got rid all the hobgoblins and now we're Absaloming with all the liquor before they come back!"
"but what are the drinks?"
Jet smiles and points to the elixirs. "These my friend are elixirs of tumbling! You never know when they might come in hand."
With Caspan's attempted diplomacy, the voices that were bickering upstairs suddenly go silent. After waiting a few seconds, it doesn't appear that they intend to leave their rooms upstairs.
Jillian follows behind Caspan, at Jet's request. When no one comes down the stairs she makes her way up instead "Come now, we need to leave this place to find safety. I doubt you will want to face this threat alone."
Jillian's smooth words seem to do the trick. Several pieces of furniture can be heard inside of the room as they are moved aside. The door opens a crack and a short man with straight, brown hair and blue eyes with rough black skin peers out from behind the door. His oblong face sizes Jillian up before he says to someone else in the room. "It's alright. It the group from downstairs."
The man steps out and extends his hand to Jillian. "I'm Farrow and that's Clidon." as he looks over his shoulder back in the room.
"You wouldn't dare leave me!" says the voice inside the room, and the door flies open again, this time to reveal another human man, a bit older and much nicer dressed than Farrow. "You can't just leave me here as... as... bait!"
Farrow just shakes his head, exasperated. "Then get your wares and move, you useless spade for brains!"
Grumbling, Clidon rapidly grabs up his traveling pack and lifts a long pole off of a rack, with dozens of thin strips of dried, seasoned meat hanging from it. He hoists it across his shoulders with practiced ease, and although he still seems sour-faced, you hear no more protests from him as he and Farrow follow you back down the stairs to join the others waiting in the kitchen. Jet and Aubrin seem pleased by the men's arrival, the innkeeper going so far as to give Clidon a quick hug.
Aubrin, the two traders, Jet, and the three people from the cellar all look to you for guidance. Aubrin asks, "Where to first?"
Jillian meets the man's hand and shakes "Jillian, a pleasure." She watches as the two men bicker but is happy to see them finally move downstairs.
With everyone gathered she looks to each of them then back toward the rafters where Hunter has been waiting, she beckons him over as the Thrush comes to land on her shoulder. Hoisting her sack over her other shoulder she looks to the door then replies to Aubrin's question "I think we should head to the Shrine first. It is closest and we can move around the outskirts of town. Then we'll be able to use the buildings for cover instead of running out in the open through the middle of town."
Selde nods in agreement with Jillian before hoisting herself on to Nur's saddle. After settling in and getting her bow at the ready, the half-elf extended a hand to Aubrin to help the injured cleric up.
Thael looks into the wands while Caspan and Jillian retrieve the last two refugees. He discovers that they are a wand of grease (7 charges), a wand of prestidigitation (35 charges), and a wand of magic missile (15 charges). He also picks up that the ring in the box detects as magical as well.
Jillian's leads your group from the Taproot Inn towards the Riverwood Shrine, making sure to leverage as much cover from buildings and brush as possible. As you make your way outside, Phaendar is a maelstrom of blood and chaos. Several buildings are on fire, and troops of hobgoblins sweep through the streets, running down fleeing villagers or knocking in doors in search of captives or treasure to loot from the dying town.
Emerging from the trees near the shrine you notice that there two structures up ahead, the larger being the shrine and the smaller being Father Noelan's shack. A lone wolf stands out front about 50' away from you near the shrine. Due to the nature of the chaos, it hasn't noticed you quite yet, but it won't be long.
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Thael nods in satisfaction as he correctly identifies all the wands.
These will prove of assistance. I had access to similarly useful items in Almas...I should have been more prepared for this visit.
He hurries after the others, surveying the chaotic scene. He looks in surprise at Selde's red elk...she's riding it!
Suddenly, the thought of showing her his small draconic familiar, Thanatos, didn't seem so special.
Seeing the wolf ahead, he looks at the animal, unsure what to do.
"Sister...you...seem to have acquired a way with wild animals. Can you keep it out of our way?"
As they sneak through the town en route to the shrine, Jillian keeps a close eye out for any threats. When she sees the wolf she can tell it is malnourished. She turns to Father Emil and the others "It appears to be hungry. Perhaps, with some food and a calm approach we can have it on it's way without the need for bloodshed." She looks around for a moment before continuing "Especially since a fight may draw unwanted attention."
While she knows her way around animals, it is generally ones that already have a friendly disposition toward her. She would prefer to let someone more skilled with animals take the lead. However, she doesn't want to leave someone alone with a hungry wolf so will attempt to help if needed, or at the very least be nearby if the wolf decides to attack.
"Actually...I'm not the best with animals, but food is a good idea. Also stay as a large group.
Caspan looks approving as the two men come down -- makes sense, they follow the pretty girl -- or at least at all the food they're carrying.
Good. More people to carry stuff in case we have to eat the moose.
"Maybe it'll chase the moose?" Caspan suggests. "We probably don't want to give it our food."
Seeing the others don't want to do that, he gives the creature his most dominating stare, trying to cow it into submission.
DOWN, DOG!" he growls at it, locking eyes.
Caspan and Jillian get the attention of the wolf as it turns to face them baring it teeth. It sizes up the pair and seems on the verge of decided whether it should back down from the group or not.
When Jillian pulls out some food and tosses it towards the wolf, the creature bursts towards it and ravenously snatches it up. Food in hand, it turns and runs off into the distance to eat it in peace.
As the group moves forward, Aubrin says in a hushed whisper "We'll stay hidden here. Don't forget us!"
With the wolf gone, the group advances towards the shrine. They notice a wooden deck that surrounds the front of an octagonal structure with broad archways leading into a place of worship. To its left stands a moss-encrusted stone monument. Carved birds, branches, and fruits decorate the wooden supports of the temple’s entryway. A dead villager is curled up on the wooden deck before the temple. The doors to the shrine are partially ajar.
”Aww, the Wolf was just hungry...that’s all. It might be worth feeding him and making a friend. He might be able to help us against the hobgoblins! Any help would be appreciated. I can try to make him friendlier, but without being able to talk to him, I can’t be sure that he’d be with us,” Wren says, smiling at the wolf. ”Hey buddy,” she coos.
Handle animal
No matter the wolf’s reaction, Wren snaps back to focusing on the trouble at hand. ”One if you brave lot want to run throw the door open? The rest of us can follow and try to take the invaders by surprise.”
"I can to the front with Nur while the rest of you go through the back. I'll signal and ride off if there is any danger."
Jillian leaves her sack with Aubrin and the others staying back. As they approach and she sees a body curled up on the deck, her eyes widen. She rushes forward as to check the body as the others plan. Panicked she thinks to herself NO! Father Nolean???? Rhyna????
Laying her blade on the ground, she carefully turns the body over praying to herself that her worst fears aren’t about to come true.
His familiar, Thanatos, emerges from his backpack and perches on his shoulder as he surveys the scene.
As Jillian approaches, the body becomes more visible with each step.
Male.
Elderly.
Brown cloak.
Shoulder length white hair.
By the time she reaches the body to turn it over, she already knows the answer deep down inside. The ashen face and lifeless eyes of Father Noelan stares up at her. A tremendous gash is surrounded by a pool of blood that stains the entirety of his chest.
Thael and Thanatos search, but are too distracted with the threat of nearby enemies to take much note of anything.
Wren will listen to the plan and approach from the back of the building, assuming the rest of the group agrees. She didn’t plan on running around by herself with those nasty things all over the town.
Tears well in Jillian's eyes. She reaches down to close Father Nolean's eyelids and gently lays him back on the ground. I'll come back for you Nolean. First, I have to find Rhyna. I couldn't save you but perhaps I can save her.
Taking a deep breath she picks up her sword and stands. Wiping the tears from her face she looks around for any more bodies or any clues as to what transpired.
Tightly gripping her blade she will prepare to enter the shrine when the others are ready, unless something more pressing draws her attention.
"Yeah, catching them between us sounds like a good plan," Caspan agrees. "Harder to fight when you can get them on both sides."
He glances at the body and shakes his head.
Poor old man. Lousy way to go ... though I guess there aren't any good ways either.
He takes the lead, leaning down as he enters to scoop up a handful of dirt.
Out of all the things that night, Jillian's tears made Selde the most uncomfortable. "It...there...later." she whispered in a poor attempt to comfort Jillian and set her forward.
Jillian surveys the scene and tries to determine what transpired here. There are numerous footprints that lead off from the front of the shrine towards the east shack. From the blood splatter around Noelan's body and the trail leading into the shrine, she can only ascertain that Noelan confronted the attackers in some fashion outside of the shrine in some attempt to protect the holy establishment. Multiple sets of bloody footprints lead from the body in through the front doors.
Caspan throws open the doors of the Shrine. Wooden statues of both Erastil and Desna — both now chopped and marred by hobgoblin weapons — stand in their own alcoves in the northwest end of the shrine, while alcoves on either side serve as general shrines to the variety of other gods and spirits worshiped by the locals. A dozen human bodies lie scattered across the floor and pews, and have been left to rot as invaders go about tearing apart the building. There are three: two Ironfang recruits dressed and armed as the others you have seen so far have been , and a hobgoblin female in padded armor , carrying a pair of axes (one larger than the other).
When the rear guard hears the front doors crash open, they quickly open theirs and funnel into the shrine.
The hobgoblins appear to have been busy tearing down colorful banners, smashing offerings, and chopping at the statues and altars with their weapons, and indeed the lightly-armored hob is busy trying to wrest her weapon from the altar where the head is currently buried.
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Thael didn't typically prepare many damaging spells, but the one he did prepare was powerful. He raises a hand, fingers spread wide, and a sheet of flame erupts toward the nearest two enemies.
It burns with great intensity for a few seconds before leaving the two with smoking clothing and singed hair. He steps into the alcove to his north after casting the spell.
The male soldier that was closest to the pews was completely caught offguard and had no chance to react. All he can do is turn to face the wizard and get a face full of fire. His screams are lost in the whoosh of flames. The female to the north that looks like a scout is quicker however, she drops to the floor as the bulk of the flames shoot overhead.
Orange: -9
Red: -4
Yellow: 0
Wren reaches out with her mind, picking up an altar plate that the hobgoblins hadn’t smashed just yet. Focusing her mind on throwing apples, she tries to strike the orange tinged enemy with the plate.
Ranger attack
Damage
Possible crit
Damage
Seeing the carnage inside the shrine, Emil is incensed, but he keeps his emotions in check while threats need to be dealt with. He hefts his scythe into attack position, approaches the burned hobgoblin, and swings its blade at the villain.
HP 12/12
AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14
Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +0
CMD 16
Martial Flexibility: 1/4
Effects:
Caspan closes in on the one wrestling to get her axe free and throws the handful of dirt in her face, trying to blind her.
You can attempt to hinder a foe in melee as a standard action. This maneuver covers any sort of situational attack that imposes a penalty on a foe for a short period of time. Examples include kicking sand into an opponent's face to blind him for 1 round, pulling down an enemy's pants to halve his speed, or hitting a foe in a sensitive spot to make him sickened for a round. The GM is the arbiter of what can be accomplished with this maneuver, but it cannot be used to impose a permanent penalty, and the results can be undone if the target spends a move action. If you do not have the Improved Dirty Trick feat or a similar ability, attempting a dirty trick provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of your maneuver.
If your attack is successful, the target takes a penalty. The penalty is limited to one of the following conditions: blinded, dazzled, deafened, entangled, shaken, or sickened. This condition lasts for 1 round. For every 5 by which your attack exceeds your opponent's CMD, the penalty lasts 1 additional round. This penalty can usually be removed if the target spends a move action. If you possess the Greater Dirty Trick feat, the penalty lasts for 1d4 rounds, plus 1 round for every 5 by which your attack exceeds your opponent's CMD. In addition, removing the condition requires the target to spend a standard action.
Wren's plate critically strikes her enemy, breaking directly on its forehead of the enemy. Frustrated and with a splitting headache, the burned and blooded hobgoblin readies an attack to the closest enemy that closes in melee range. The other goblin soldier delays as well, waiting until someone closes to range.
When Father Emil charges in he swings, but blood from the broken plate covers the hobgoblin's eyes and he misses with his longsword. The second goblin charges in and buries his longsword in Emil's chest, nearly taking him to the ground once more . Father Emil retaliates and buries his sickle into the burned and bleeding hobgoblin, taking it to the ground with a vicious strike.
Caspan's dirty trick is succcessful because he moves faster than the scout. She screams when she is blinded bu the dirt and continues to yank on her axe, finally freeing it. She stands to face him with an axe in each hand, ready to take him down.
Wren was terrified, seeing the yellow dressed warrior almost cut the holy man down right in front of everyone. All she could think of doing was to stun it for a few seconds while the others got organized.