GM Anthorg's Rise of the Runelords - everyone's a cleric!

Game Master Anthorg

"By Torag's might! That was an unexpected fight. And more to come. Let's not waste time with pleasantries."
Dolgrin answered to the group roughly. He waits for a moment for everyone to get ready again. When everyone starts moving again, he shouts "With thy strength we shall overcome resistance! In thy glory we shall bathe!" and charges towards the sound of battle.

Casting Bless

Definitely with you

Is it safe to assume our "rushing to battle" is in the same direction as the stables?

"Easy there, Poppy," Dart says, reassuring the little gal trying to tug him forward and slipping slightly into the voice one might use to reassure a scared child. "Whoever this Spot person is, we'll save him...her...them? Let's just stay somewhat gathered as a group, but not too close to Silk Shirt, so we make sure we all make it there safely, ok?"

And bless is a morale bonus while inspire courage is a competence bonus, so they will stack just so everyone knows.

@Poppy: Cool, thanks.

@Dart: The bonuses to attack stack, but not the ones to Saves vs Fear :)

The stables are actually very far in the other side of town. If you check the town map in the pictures link, the stables is next to the Rusty Dragon near the south bridge into town. This is all happening north in the square between the cathedral and the jeweler's house.

As the next steps are quickly discussed and Dolgrin blesses the party, they realize the sound of battle isn't coming from any direction in particular. A few goblins can be seen, but they are killed, be it from lack of planning, some sort of battle frenzy, no doubt driven by the goblin song which goes on, and plain stupidity. A couple of goblins run through the square and the party quickly dispatches them. Another slips from a rooftop and falls to its death.

An explosion is heard to the south. Just outside the square, a wagon is what just burst into flames. No doubt it was full of fuel, perhaps for the bonfire that was planned for the festival. A few goblins emerge from behind the new fire and one of the goblins producing the goblin song. It shouts gleefully "Goblins chew and goblins bite."

I've put you on the way to the stables, southwards. And that's where the goblins were coming from anyway! Lucky!

Dart, Dolgrin and Izumi can act, then gobos act, then everyone again. 3 rounds have passed since the end of last combat. So shield of faith buffs are still up. Consider Bless to be fresh.

"Alright, everyone," Dart says, going back into brigadier mode, "everyone but Silk Shirt move to the left, Silk Shirt, do your thing once we're clear," and Dart moves double moving to get into favorable position (without provoking from the Goblin) to give Poppy flanking with his longspear which has reach to get behind one of the Goblins and spares a moment to think, I hope Aneka made it out of all of this ok.

Dart is not inspiring courage at the moment.

If the Goblin near Dart tries to attack him, he will use the adoration ability from the love subdomain.

Adoration (Su): As an immediate action, you can attempt to thwart a melee or ranged attack that targets you. This ability functions as sanctuary, but only against one individual attack. You must use the ability after the attack is declared but before the roll is made. The creature attacking you receives a Will save to negate this effect. If a creature has more than one attack, this ability only affects one of the attacks. You can use the ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier. This is a mind-affecting effect.

Will Save DC 14

Move south 3 sq then 1 left

Att on purple: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 for Dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Her movement into combat leaves her in a very awkward posture and her swing is wide, almost wild.

*sigh*

@Dart: It's going to be really funny if the gobo fails its save.

@Izumi: Don't worry, you'll have plenty opportunity to get your katana wet with blood. Think of these goblins as dice practice.

After Dolgrin acts, gobos act, then party again.

With his battle cry and prayer, Dolgrin acts. He acknowledges Dart's tactics and waits for the spear-carrying cleric to cirle the goblin. Immediately afterwards, Dolgrin charges.

Delaying ini to after Dart. AC -2 due to charge
attack, charge, flank, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Completely unprepared for such a violent attack, the goblin succumbs to the wound caused by the dwarf.

The singing goblin continues the song:
"Goblins cut and goblins fight"

It pulls out a whip and tries wrapping it around Izumi's foot. The other goblins come close to her and strike.

The whip wraps around Izumi's ankle and as the goblin pulls, Izumi falls to the ground, which allows the goblins to attack her strongly. After attacking, they howl in delight.

Izumi is now prone and takes 10 damage from the combined attacks.

Party is up. Izumi, remember the wound threshold penalties

"Move in and help the priestess," Dart calls to his team, "I'll throw some healing her way," and with that, he moves back far enough that the Goblins will be out of his burst of healing, but all of his allies are in range.

Channel Positive: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Always feel free to ignore Dart's instructions. He is simply embracing the leadership role he's given himself.

Jonathan walks to the far side of the goblins, far enough that he can channel without hitting the party. Just a double move this round.

"agreed. I've got her back." Dolgrin answers Dart and rushes to her aid. The dwarf positions himself between the downed priestess and the flames and shouts at the goblins. "Why don't you fight someone of your size?"

attack, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 8
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

But his swing with the pick is more a distraction than any danger.

@Jonathan: You're going to provoke AoO from orange gobo. Please confirm action..

After Izumi and Poppy act and Jonathan confirms, gobos act.

Oh, that's a rock. ya, I'll provoke, that's fine.

Izumi! Poppy yells seeing her friend need help.

Poppy moves around to get the best angle of attack on the goblin closest to her.

You mess with her you mess with me, you mess with me, you feel Tor's Vengeance

attack goblin flanking with Dolgrin: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Went to 0 so I was only staggered. I assume I didn't drop the blade

Izumi gives a shout of surprise as she hits the ground... and that turns to yells of pain as the little bastards bite and stab at her. Her vision blurred as she felt death approach, then she felt a wave of relief as holy power washed over her.

I'd rather die on my feet than on my knees, she thought as she rose to her feet...

Pretty sure that triggers AoO

Assuming she is able to rise she slashes again at one of them.

1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18 for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

@Jonathan: Dart healed you in the breathing time between fights, so you're full and no longer have wounds threshold penalty. Also, in an unrelated note, I believe your archetype gives you proficiency with an exotic weapon no? Did you choose one?

As Jonathan moves, the goblins attack him trying to stop his movement.

Poppy runs to a favorable position, but misses her swing.

@Izumi: No, you didn't drop your sword. However, you're at 3/10 HP, which means that you take -2 penalty.

As Izumi gets up, the other goblin paid more attention to her and tried to slash her down.

Although Izumi stands up with murder in her eyes, the goblin from its vantage position manages to slash her and draw blood.

@Izumi: Take 4 damage from AoO. Note that, despite being at negative HP, you're not unconscious, but disabled until you reach negative HP equal to your Con bonus. This means that you are standing and capable of attacking the goblin, but you'd still need to apply your penalty, which would be at -3 now and also you'd take one damage if you did.

The goblin chanter continues his song.

"Stab the dog and cut the horse,"

He also tries bringing Jonathan down with the whip. Meanwhile, the two goblins try to attack the most dangerous target, Dolgrin

I assume Jonathan's CMD is 11

Jonathan is pulled to the ground and the goblins scrape Dolgrin's armor and shield, causing no damage.

@Dolgrin, could you confirm for me that your current AC is 20?

Party's up

I did miss choosing one. I'll just take a bastard sword. Also, you would assume correctly about my CMD. my post below assumes I was able to get into position:

Now in position, Jonathan unleashses the force of decay and entropy on the Goblins.

Channel Entropy: DC 16 Will Save: 1d6 ⇒ 6

"That's the way, Brigade, keep on fighting!" Dart calls out. "I'll try to keep you on your feet," and with that, he unleashes a burst of positive energy (Dolgrin and Izumi are in the blast, as is Dart, but no one else benefits this time).

Channel to Heal: 1d6 ⇒ 4

And seeing Jonathon do his thing, Dart calls out, "Excellent work, Silk Shirt! We'll have these beasties down in no time!"

"My name is Jonathan, by the way."

Hearing Jonathon, Dart responds with, "Bytheway? Peculiar last name. Well, excellent work, Master Bytheway."

"Such poor comedy is beneath an actor of your purported talents."

For the record, I figured Jonathan needs to be off-screen to do his channel shenanigans. He's still in the map for keeping the average party silk high.

Even with the minus 3 I'd still roll 15... I'll risk it and go to minus 2 HP. If Dart is providing bardic inspiration it's a 16

My AC is 18, it's correct as it says

"Good girl. Stay right where you are." Dolgrin explains to Poppy the advantage of flanking.

attack yellow, flanking, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

@Izumi: Unfortunately, their AC is 16 and Dart is saving his perform. If you had rolled 15 this round, I could have put you after Jonathan's channel, which puts them below full wounds threshold, reducing their AC.

Jonathan's mysterious burst of energy and Dolgrin's attack killed the orange/yellow goblin. The other ones still stands, as it gets ready to attack again.

Poppy and Izumi are up

Poppy maneuvers herself up to the next goblin. the look on her face seems to indicate that she is finding a strange glee in squashing goblins

attack purpleish goblin with flank: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

stand still you little *@*^%

1d20 + 3 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 - 3 = 15 for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Its not the D20 rolls I mind... Its that my damage rolls seem to tend to cluster to the low end of the bell curve

@Poppy: Could you please add a header like everyone else did? Helps keeping track of resources and allows for easier information about some stuff.

@Izumi: Remember that Dart healed you for 4, so you're at 2 HP and have no need to take 1 damage every time you swing. Also, the wounds threshold also affects the goblins, so his AC is actually lower, so you hit him!

Izumi finishes off the goblin which took Jonathan's energy burst really badly.

The last goblin, the singer, surprisingly doesn't get scared and continues his song.

"Goblins eat and take by force!"

Jonathan, at the same time, feels a strong urge to laugh his head off and attempts to fight this impulse.

Party's up again

Jonathan says nothing, but instead just raises an eyebrow at the Goblin's spell.

Weird map placement, but just imagine there are 2 more rows below the Goblin and Dart went around him, close to the fire, to get into a flanking position with a double move.

Dart chuckles at Jonathon's response to his humor and rushes in the direction of the final Goblin calling out, "I'll create a flank so you can finish it off," though he intentionally neglects to mention who he means by "you."

As he moves, he wracks his brain to try to remember if he saw where Aneka went and if it was in a direction that might be safe.

Perception to see if he saw/remembers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
I imagine he probably does not.

"I'll take that offer." Dolgrin answers while moving past Poppy.

attack, bless, flank: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Jonathan moved back behind Dolgrin and then cast Guidance on him.

I know I'll likely provoke.

Izumi uses the withdraw action and moves away 6 sq. So she can channel healing without hitting gobbos.

@Izumi: You're not being threatened at the moment, so you can move and channel no problem. You can even include everyone but Dart in it so they can feel Shizuru's wind chimes.

BTW, gobo has a whip in hand, so can't really make an AoO

With the goblin having already taken a lot of damage from Jonathan's power, Dolgrin finds it somewhat easy to stick his war pick into its flesh. It gets dizzy as it intends to cast a healing magic on itself.

Poppy's up. Everyone just raised the ball so you can slap it down.

Channelling last round

Channelling 1d6 ⇒ 2

Channelling this round

Channelling 1d6 ⇒ 3

I'll give Poppy another day before moving on without her.

Poppy make her way closer to the next or possibly last goblin.

your singing is horrible, just like your face and she tries to smack the goblin.

step up to attack once more.

attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

her hammer completely misses once again, keep swingin' till ya hit something I always say.

Poppy misses her swing, hitting the goblin's armor.

The goblin chanter tries to continue the song...

"Goblins race and goblins jump"

And attempts to cast a spell.

The goblin's concentration breaks with so many hostile people around it. It seems the goblin is considering not making out of there alive for the first time.

Party's up again.

Since Dart has flank and bless working in his favor, he figures it's hero time.

"Goblin dodge and Goblin duck,
but Goblin's running out of luck!" Dart chants mockingly back at him.

Longspear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Hurry, while he's distracted," Dart calls to his allies as if he missed on purpose.

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Not your round, buddy

It worked so well last round, Jonathan gave Dolgrin Guidance.

"Enough with the singing!" Dolgrin shouts angrily and drops his buckler to the ground, to get a better grip of his pick.

attack, flank, bless, guidance: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 25
damage, twohanded: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Izumi darts back in...

Katana: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13 for Dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Dolgrin swings angrily at the goblin, sinking his pick deep into its skull. The next verse is replaced by a gurgle.

Although the fire from the explosion is still strong, the group slowly realize that the fight has somewhat died down, from the noise. A goblin can still be seen combat a guard, only to be chopped down.

A little girl with bright red hair and blue eyes walks towards the group and says "Have you seen my mama?" Despite her sad predicament, she doesn't seem to be crying, only worried. Shortly after, a woman with Auburn hair comes in from between the houses shouting "ELISE!" The red haired girl says relieved "MAMA" and the two embrace each other.

The adrenaline rush from the fight is still in your veins and you slowly realize that the people are keeping safe indoors. As you look around, there seems to be more dead goblins than people, although a few citizens have perished.

You realize that although the attack seems to be mostly thwarted, every military force usually has a commander, which is yet to make an appearance.

At the sight of the poor, lost child, Dart immediately rushes over to check if she's ok. "You're alright, sweetie," he says, "I'll keep you safe until we find your mama, okay?"

Then, realizing he just slipped out of character, he adds, "I happen to be the leader of this mighty fighting force, The Brindleflame Brigade," and with that, he makes a sweeping gesture towards his allies.

Around that time, an auburn-haired woman comes rushing out from between two houses and calling out the name Elise, which is apparently this girl's name as she responds with "Mama!" Dart stands confidently from his previous position squatting beside the child and says, "Never fear, ma'am, The Brindleflame Brigade was here to keep her safe!" and he flashes her a smile. In response to the thank yous she's offering even in the midst of hugging her recovered child, Dart says, "You'd best get yourself and young Elise somewhere safe now. I don't think this is over just yet."

Then, turning back to his comrades, Dart says, "Something seems off about this. That singer Goblin," gesturing towards the recently slain foe, "might have been leading this small group, but in every play...I mean...battle I've been in, there's been some sort of general. Like a big leader that troops would rally around. If we can find that character and take them down, the rest of the Goblin army should disperse."

"Oh," he adds, pausing a moment, "does anyone need healing before we continue?"

"Now can anyone tell me, where the goblins suddenly came from? And why today?" The dwarf has his pick still readied and looks around for more goblins to battle.

Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Izumi turns on the spot in frustration, ears straining for sounds of combat.

We need to go house to house, check on everyone!

"An admirable sentiment, priestess," Dart says in response to Izumi, "and I'm sure we all have people we want to check in on," as again his thoughts drift to Aneka, "but if we're checking on people already safely in their homes, we're leaving those like little Elise out here with no defenders. After we're sure the battle is won, then we'll turn our attention to checking on the townsfolk. Does that sound agreeable?" and for emphasis, he makes sure he ends posing in profile, backlit by the bonfire, holding his longspear upright as his side with his left hand while his right hand rests on his hip.

Jonathan gave Dart a sideways glance when he said that he was in charge and named the group.

"We should send people to a central area to gather together. I think the new church would be a good point." Jonathan said.