"Mira has a good job. Snag is happy for Mira! Do you mind if Snag joins you for food and then to see the Swallowtail release?" Snag asks as his little belly growls.
Kusano hands over his menu to Snag and nurses his diluted wine...
Snag settles in and orders quickly so that they will not miss other events.
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Lunch is fine affair, with laughter shared (except Anthony, probably ^_^), and depending where lunch was partaken, varying quality of food. When you finish you head out to witness the Swallowtail release.
At the square, Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square, and after recounting the short parable of how Desna first fell to earth and was nursed back to health by a blind child whom she transformed into an immortal butterfly as a reward for her aid, they pull aside the wagon’s cover, releasing the thousand children of Desna—a furious storm of swallowtail butterflies that swarm into the air in a spiraling riot of color to a great cheer from the crowd. Throughout the rest of the day, children futilely chase butterflies, never quite quick enough to catch them.
A bit of sap appears in the corner of Mangrove's eyes as the butterflies are released.
"It is so beautiful. They are free".
Kusano has a wide smile of wonder on his face, his gaze on one of the girls walking in her own wonder through the storm of Swallowtails...
Mira doesn't answer Snag before Kusano hands him a menu and he settles in. She finds herself with another ale, which is a terrible idea for a Sandpoint Militiaman, especially when you're fifteen and probably should be doing more protecting and less participating.
Mira watches Kusano's gaze and wide-eyed wonderment and giggles at his fascination. She can't control her laughter and blurts and nudges Kusano, "Whatcha looking at, Kusano? The butterflies? Hmmm?"
Mira recognizes the girl, Kizumi; one of the girls of the Glassworks families. Her father works for the Kaijitsu elder that brushed off the festival.
Kusano turns a crimson red and sputters, Wh-what? Butterflies? Uhh, yeah, they are pretty!
Aware that he is caught, he grins broadly, acutely aware of the heat coming from the tips of his ears!
Snag watches the butterflies and wonders if they taste good.
While the butterflies are pretty, there's really no point to them. Anthony waits until there is something to do.
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The rest of the day is enjoyable, though Anthony seems unable or unwilling to enjoy himself, but the rest of you enjoy the festivities. Further games, and even a surfing exhibition from one of the local coastal druids draws quite a crowd.
Finally, as the sun begins to set, Father Zantus takes the central podium, uses a thunderstone to attract everyone’s attention, and clears his throat
as he prepares to recite the Prayer of First Dreaming.
Unfortunately, the thunderstone’s detonation marks the beginning of something else...
The sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, slices through the excited crowd as the sun’s setting rays paint the western sky. A stray dog that has crawled under a nearby wagon to sleep starts awake, and the buzz of two dozen 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. A song familiar to Snag...
Goblins chew and goblins bite.
Goblins cut and goblins fight.
Stab the dog and cut the horse,
Goblins eat and take by force!
Goblins race and goblins jump
Goblins slash and goblins bump.
Burn the skin and mash the head,
Goblins here and you be dead!
Mangrove starts first at the thunderstone. I hate thunder... and more specifically lightning. Great Uncle Burburry got struck by lightning and burnt to a crisp. He then hears the goblin song and watches as the brutal slaying of the poor innocent dog causes his leaves to rise.
"I'm guessing they are no friends of yours climber Snag".
◆ Raise Shield
◆◆ Telekinetic Projectile.
He then whips up some nearby stones and broken bricks and slings them at the closest Goblin.
"We'll have none of that now".
Telekinetic Projectile
Rocks, and bricks and such.
Anthony will move up, bludgeoning damage, and raise his shield (AC 20).
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Mangrove hurls a stone at a goblin's head, but it ducks out of the way, leaving the rock to crash into the cart that they emerged from!
Anthony charges up to the goblin that looks to be trying to light a torch and bashes its head in with his morningstar!
Red goblin shrieks and scuttles away, out of reach of the scary priest!
Yellow goblin charges forward, a crude blade in its hands and slashes twice at Mangrove, singing its creepy song the whole while!
The first swing is a little wild, but the second scores a lucky hit!
Kusano curses, I'll get people out of here! Will you guys be alright?
The boy makes a quick few hand gestures and a shimmering shield appears then fades away. His stance shifts, ever so slightly and he bursts away with incredible speed!
Kusano charges to the stage and calls out to Father Zanthus, Pops, get back to the Cathedral! I will bring as many people as I can!
Order
Mangrove 10/20 hp
Anthony Slater
Goblin Yellow
Kusano
Goblin Magenta dead
Mira
Snag
Goblin Green
Goblin Blue
Goblin Red
Snag cries out, "Stop this!" then with a wave of his a shield of force pops up before him. As the shield solidifies, Snag immediately starts a second spell and a black bolt of lightning strikes out at the closest attacking goblin!
Mira springs into action, her training and instincts taking over. She pushes through the panicked crowd, shouting for people to stay calm and move to safety. "Everyone, move towards the church! Stay together and find cover!" she commands, her voice strong and clear.
She charges toward the one in front of Manny, getting herself into a position to defend him. She finds a position behind the goblin and slams her warhammer into it with all her strength. She tries to attack again but is off balance from the first strike.
◈◈
◈
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Mira surges forward and crushes the skull of the Yellow goblin! Her backswing misses Red, however and it scrambles away!
His target dead, Snag instead drops his electrical discharge on Red!
The red goblin is electrocuted to death!
Goblin Green and Goblin Blue both point at Snag and shout accusingly in Goblin!
Seeing many opponents between them and Snag, they carefully approach the closest enemy and attacks Anthony in concert!
Order
Mangrove 10/20 hp
Anthony Slater
Goblin Yellow dead
Kusano
Mira
Snag
Goblin Green
Goblin Blue
Goblin Red dead
Mangrove is both freightened and fascinated by the attack... until he is the target of it.
"Hey! Stop that"! He then finds somewhere to stand out of the way while he heals his wounds. "Thank you Mira. He was... formidable".
◆ Stride
◆◆ Soothe Heal Wounds
Snag moves forward and says in Goblin,
"Let's take the blue one down first"
bludgeoning damage.
bludgeoning damage.
Raise Shield
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Anthony swings hard, missing his first swing, but brings his morningstar down hard on the goblin's head with his backswing, killing him instantly! Green goblin's eyes go wide with fear!
Kusano runs from group to group trying to get bystanders to the cathedral!
Order
Mangrove 15/20 hp
Anthony Slater
Kusano
Mira
Snag
Goblin Green
Goblin Blue dead
After taking down the one behind Mangrove, she nods to him and pivots, turning towards Anthony. She shouts [b]"For Sandpoint!" and winds up her warhammer as she dashes off towards the sole remaining creature, swinging her hammer twice more.
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Mira swipes across with her warhammer, sending the remaining goblin sliding across the dirt until it lies still, its neck bent unnaturally.
You barely have time to catch your breath before some cackling across the square! Five goblins, all armed with torches chanting in unison, surround a cart holding fuel for the bonfire scheduled for the evening!
Goblins chew and goblins bite.
Goblins cut and goblins fight.
Stab the dog and cut the horse,
Goblins eat and take by force!
Goblins race and goblins jump
Goblins slash and goblins bump.
Burn the skin and mash the head,
Goblins here and you be dead!
Order
Anthony Slater
Mira
Goblin Blue
Snag
Goblin Red
Goblin White
Goblin Green
Goblin Magenta
Mangrove
Kusano
"More?! Mira asks, spinning to face the new group.
Her eyes go wide as she realizes the potential for a big problem. "QUICKLY!" she shouts, charging ahead to try and stop them before something explodes.
Anthony runs forward (spending all three actions to stride).
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Anthony runs across the square, but is not able to make it close enough make an attack. His presence seems to give the goblins pause...
Mira charges across the town square and swings hard at Red Goblin, sending it bouncing like a rag doll!
Blue Goblin, standing on the cart, looks from the newly arrived Longshanks to the goblin (white) that leads them in song and seems to be renewed in confidence. It looks at Anthony, then narrows its eyes at Mira and thrusts its torch down at the cart at its feet. A small fire starts on the cart!
Order
Anthony Slater
Mira
Goblin Blue
Snag
Goblin Red dead
Goblin White
Goblin Green
Goblin Magenta
Mangrove
NO!
Mira's eyes go wide, and she shouts back to her companions "FIRE! Get it out!"
Seeing what is happening Snag rushes forward and raises his shield in case the explosion happens before they can stop the goblins.
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As Snag scrambles up, he raises his shield to protect himself should the worst happen!
The singing goblin redoubles her song, adding in an additional layer that seems to only increase the other goblins' fervor! Then she seems to draw back on her bow and looses an arrow on Mira!
◆ Goblin Song, ◆ Courageous Anthem, ◆ Strike (shortbow)
Green Goblin jumps off the cart and tries to set Anthony on fire!
◆ Stride, ◆ Strike Improvised Weapon (Torch), ◆ Strike Improvised Weapon (Torch)
Magenta Goblin jumps off the cart and tries to set Mira on fire!
◆ Stride, ◆ Strike Improvised Weapon (Torch), ◆ Strike Improvised Weapon (Torch)
Order
Anthony Slater
Mira - 10/21
Goblin Blue
Snag
Goblin White
Goblin Green
Goblin Magenta
Mangrove - 15/20
Anthony will bludgeoning damage.
Stride five feet south of Magenta.
Anthony will bludgeoning damage.
Mira is used to taking a few blows in training, but she's never been injured this badly before. She pushes past the pain and focuses on stopping these goblins before more people get injured.
She slams her warhammer into the goblin to her left repeatedly.
After two swings, she raises her shield to try and thwart future attacks.
Realizing that the day is not yet won, Mangrove hustles to try and catch up to help the others.
◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Stride
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Mangrove hustles across the town square to rejoin his companions!
Anthony brings his morningstar down on Green's head, crushing it, and turns his attention to the flame on the cart! A quit prayer leaves his lips and a watery halo bursts above the flame, dousing it immediately.
Mira, only one opponent within reach now, sweeps her warhammer across and the sickening crunch tells her that her hit was true. When the goblin does not rise, she knows it is dead.
Order
Anthony Slater
Mira - 10/21, shield up!
Goblin Blue
Snag
Goblin White
Goblin Green dead
Goblin Magenta dead
Mangrove - 15/20
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Blue goblin angrily hurls his torch at Anthony! But it just hits the dirt and sputters...
The goblin draws its bow and shoots at Anthony, while screaming what you assume are goblin obscenities! The arrow ricochet's off the cleric's armor!
◆ Strike (improvised thrown), ◆ Interact (draw bow), ◆ Strike (shortbow)
Order
Anthony Slater
Mira - 10/21, shield up!
Goblin Blue
Snag
Goblin White
Mangrove - 15/20
Snag moves forward and says, "Snag say no!" as a bolt of black electricity streaks out at the remaining two goblins!
Anthony will move past the remaining goblin, and bludgeoning damage.
If that does not drop it, then bludgeoning damage.
If it did drop it, then stride five feet west of Mira, preparing to heal her.
Mangrove delays till something more happens.
Mira moves and strikes at the goblin.
Once the immediate threat of a cart explosion has been handled, Mira stops to catch her breath, gingerly putting her hand on the gashes in her chest and grimacing with pain.
Instead, Anthony will move to Mira, and patch her up.
healing.
Mira is grateful for the medical attention and watches as Anthony is able to treat her wounds quickly. When he finishes, she is right as rain. "Thank you, Anthony. Your skill in treating injuries is not to be understated!"
She slaps him on the back and winks, "I'm glad you are on my side!"
Looking in the direction of the commotion up ahead, she waves a hand for others to follow as she begins to run in that direction. "C'mon, let's see if others need help!"