Given the intel of what we are about to face...goblins throwing goo..Verilich can fly through and open the other door so that we can minimize the party's balancing acts. He will also pull what some of his companions might consider an exotic weapon. The 3 short staffs on his belt are drawn as a single weapon. Each of them chained to the other allowing a swinging style of blunt force trauma.
"say when ready."
Gundar will move to the back of the pack where he can keep an eye on things.
Verilich flies across the bridge and opens the far door.
The floor of this room has fallen away, leaving a narrow, charred ledge along the south and east walls. To the northwest, a ledge heaped with crates and barrels sits, while above the rafters of the attic lay bare to view.
The ceiling of the room below has collapsed, revealing a drop into the filth below. Charred rafters extend to the western wall, providing a means of crossing the space to the north or south.
Oh, and the Box Text for this first room, since the others didn't get it earlier.
The entire floor of this chamber has collapsed into the pool of water five feet below. The earthen walls of this flooded subcellar ooze with foul rivulets, and the smell is abominable. Two oozing sewer pipes protrude through the east wall of this pit just above the level of the sewage. Part of the ceiling above the entrance has collapsed, revealing an attic crawlspace above; a rickety ladder leads up from the water into the crawlspace. A door stands in the far wall across the sludge pit. A wooden plank balanced between both doors makes a precarious bridge between the two doors.
Initiative Order:
Green Goblin
Verilich
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin
Caius
Gundar
Purple Goblin
Ghaernan
Purple Goblin
Orange Goblin
Ok, I have done an ODD thing. I have placed a "party" token on the right side of the map. All of you should be able to see what it sees. It is up on the second level, in the rafters.
Does that make sense?
Caius and Gundar can also act.
Gundar will reach out and tap Caius. Jest in case they throw more mud at ye!
Oops!
Initiative Order:
Green Goblin
Verilich <== Up!
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin
Caius <== Up!
Gundar <== Up!
Purple Goblin
Ghaernan
Purple Goblin
Orange Goblin
Khalid
Smiling at the dwarf's encouraging words and feeling nigh invulnerable to filth, Caius jumps down next to the tunnels and readies to strike any goblin that emerges.
Caius, and anyon eelse who gets into the muck in the floors of this place. The terrain is considered "shallow bog."
If a square is part of a shallow bog, it has deep mud or standing water of about 1 foot in depth. It costs 2 squares of movement to move into a square with a shallow bog, and the DC of Acrobatics checks in such a square increases by 2.
I have uncovered an area on the map outside of the house. Caius can see down the sewer tunnels into a warren. He sees the goblins coming up the tubes, and when we get to their initiative, his ready action will go off. A medium creature would need to squeeze to go through the sewer tunnels.
Verilich and Gundar?
Sure, that's just before he ran inside. I've kicked off initiative, so anything else?
Then Gundar will do the same to one of the two that he is standing next to.
Verilich is puzzled by the slayer's deviation from the plan. "I thought we were running across the plank into the next room? Are we committing to fighting in the mud now?"
Another goblin (purple) pops up in the NW corner of the second room, fires a crossbow bolt at Verilich, and ducks back down to have total cover.
Initiative Order:
Green Goblin
Verilich <== Held!
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin
Caius <== Readied!
Gundar
Purple Goblin
Ghaernan <== Up!
Orange Goblin
Khalid
Verilich no sooner delays but is struck by a surprisingly strong crossbow bolt. "I will head into the next room to deal with the archer. Are others following?"
He flies over above the cover and strikes!
Verilich's attack misses, but he also spots a second goblin (orange) back behind the barrier, preparing to fire his crossbow. The two goblins seem surprised to have been approached so easily.
Verilich is puzzled by the slayer's deviation from the plan. "I thought we were running across the plank into the next room? Are we committing to fighting in the mud now?"
"I'll not leave these heel-biters at our back! Best to deal with them as they come. Perhaps MY plan was not clear?"
Ghaernan sighs when Verilich's "plan" is not ever agreed upon, initiated, and then promptly not followed, perceiving as Caius did that the goblins in the first chamber required dealing with before a second front was opened. Still, as the Wyvaran screeches in pain when struck by a heavy crossbow bolt from falling into the goblins' trap, the Bard is moved to bring the virtues of the Word and the Way to his imperiled companions.
Ghaernan strides with purpose and presence up and around Khalid to stand within the cover of the first door, ensuring that Khalid and Gundar can still easily get around him to physically engage the nasty beasts. With crossbow in-hand, his voice grows resonant as he begins a Bardic Performance, using only audible components to project his voice into the two rooms and Inspire Courage in his friends...
"The time to arms has come, my companions, and we fight now to the BALLAD OF THE BLOODMARCH, the proud anthem of Trunau!"
A song of encouragement comes drifting to the ears of the brave companions.
The orange goblin, now faced with a threat he wasn't expecting, drops his crossbow, and pulls out his short sword ready to fight the intruder.
Initiative Order:
Green Goblin
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin
Caius <== Readied!
Gundar
Purple Goblin
Verilich
Ghaernan
Orange Goblin
Khalid <== Up!
I should go help the monk, but it's pretty dark in there. I need to get one of those wayfinder things. In the interim, I'll see if I can give Caius a hand.
Khalid will take a full move across the plank and ready to trip any foe that comes within range.
As the sewer pipes gurgle and echo with movement, a trio of goblins—filthy and hunched—begin to crawl from the sewage-streaked openings. The first one, its skin a mottled green, snarls as it struggles free, slime clinging to its ragged clothes. Behind it, two others—red and blue-skinned—scramble, their crooked teeth bared in anticipation of an easy kill.
But as the goblins emerge from the pipes, Caius and Khalid spring into action.
Khalid will attempt to kick out with his foot to try and trip the first one to exit the pipe while balancing on the plank.
After Caius takes his readied action, it looks like Khalid will also get an AAO.
Standing on the precarious wooden plank, Khalid glances into the shadowy depths of the next room, but the dim light proves too much for his human eyes. He squints, frustrated, before turning his attention back to the goblins crawling out of the sewer pipes below. His eyes narrow, and he spots the blue-skinned goblin, still scrambling its way out of the foul muck.
With a swift and calculated motion, Khalid shifts his weight, balancing himself on the narrow plank. He raises his boot, aiming it just as the goblin claws its way into the open. The kick isn’t a direct strike, but more of a shove—yet from this height, the force is enough. His boot connects with the goblin's head, sending it tumbling backward with a surprised yelp.
The blue goblin flails helplessly as it topples into the sludge below, landing with a wet splat, completely prone at Caius’ feet, its hands scrabbling uselessly in the muck. A perfect opportunity for the next strike.
Caius strikes at green goblin, since he came out first.
With the blue goblin sprawled in the muck at his feet, Caius locks his gaze on the green goblin that has just emerged from the sewer pipe. The creature’s beady eyes widen in fear as it realizes the danger it faces. Caius grips his massive greatsword, its weight familiar and comforting in his hands.
In a fluid motion, he steps forward, raising the blade high above his head. The sunlight catches the edge of the sword, reflecting a faint glimmer as he brings it crashing down with all his might. The greatsword arcs through the air, and in a single, powerful stroke, it meets the green goblin with a sickening thud.
The impact is brutal—Caius' strike cleaves through the goblin’s defenses, and the blade bites deep into its flesh. The goblin lets out a garbled scream, a sound that quickly fades as the life drains from its eyes. It stumbles backward, its small body collapsing into the muck with a heavy splash, fatally wounded and unable to rise again.
Caius stands over the fallen creature, his breath steady as he surveys the battlefield, the remnants of the goblin now mixing with the foul sewage around him.
The blue goblin struggles to its feet, which will provoke an AOO from Caius and Khalid.
With a wild snarl, the red goblin, spurred on by the sight of its fallen comrades, lunges toward Caius with a short sword clutched tightly in its small, trembling hands. The creature’s beady eyes glimmer with malice as it darts forward, trying to capitalize on Caius' moment of focus.
The goblin swings its sword in a frantic arc, aiming for the muscular Ifrit’s side. But Caius, his instincts honed from years of battle, reacts quickly. He pivots to the side, narrowly avoiding the blade as it slices through the air just inches from him.
The goblin stumbles forward, its momentum carrying it past Caius. It grunts in frustration, turning back to face him, the ferocity in its gaze undiminished despite its failure. The narrow escape leaves it momentarily exposed, but the determination to fight on glimmers in its eyes.
Initiative Order:
Khalid
Caius
Green Goblin
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin
Gundar <== Up!
Purple Goblin
Verilich
Ghaernan
Orange Goblin
No AOO for me on blue. I'm wielding a reach weapon, don't have improved unarmed strike and my claws haven't grown in yet. I'll leave him in Caius's hands.
I should get one on red though when he tries to leave the square blue is in. If so, I'll try and trip him.
Oh! Got it, ok. I get my claw and bite attacks at third level...
Gundar will use his resistant touch on another of his companions.
As another goblin nearby foolishly attempts to rise, Caius delivers another blow with his mighty blade.
To confirm the critical:
And extra damage:
As the blue goblin struggles to rise from the muck, its beady eyes wide with panic, Caius sees the perfect opportunity. The creature's flailing limbs provide no defense as it attempts to regain its footing, oblivious to the danger looming above.
With a fierce battle cry, Caius raises his greatsword, its blade gleaming ominously in the dim light. In one swift, decisive motion, he brings the sword down with all his strength. The blade slices through the air, a blur of steel, as it meets the goblin's neck with a sickening thwack.
The impact is decisive. The sword cuts cleanly, severing the goblin’s head from its body in a spray of foul muck and blood. The headless corpse collapses into the sludge with a heavy splash, its limbs twitching momentarily before lying still.
Caius stands over the fallen creature, the weight of his weapon steady in his hands. Around him, the chaos of battle continues, but for the blue goblin, the fight is now irrevocably over.
From behind the heaped crates and barrels, the purple goblin suddenly rises, its small frame barely peeking over the top. With a fierce yell, it brandishes its short sword and swings wildly, hoping to catch Verilich off guard as he hovers above.
The goblin’s swing is a chaotic flurry of movement, lacking any semblance of precision. It leaps into the air, its sword flailing in an exaggerated arc. But in its eagerness, the goblin miscalculates the distance, and the blade sails harmlessly through the air, missing Verilich entirely.
With a loud whoosh, the sword slices through nothing but empty space, the momentum causing the goblin to overextend. It lands back behind the barrier with a thud, stumbling awkwardly as it tries to regain its balance. The look of surprise on its face is quickly replaced by a mix of embarrassment and anger, leaving it looking utterly ridiculous and comically inept.
Initiative Order:
Khalid
Caius
Green Goblin
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin
Gundar
Purple Goblin
Verilich <== Up!
Ghaernan <== Up!
Orange Goblin
Verilich will take advantage of his new position and flurry blows on the Orange Goblin before he can act and shift to Purple if Orange falls to the first blow.
And whether Orange survives or not, he will need to make space as the Wyvaran lands there.
Verilich, still hovering unsteadily above the battlefield, turns his focus to the orange goblin. With a determined swing of his fist, he strikes the goblin hard across the head. The impact is enough to send the creature sprawling into the muck, its body going limp as it falls unconscious at his feet.
Emboldened, Verilich swings at the purple goblin, but his movements in the air are clumsy. The goblin easily ducks under the attack, letting out a squeal of laughter as Verilich’s fist swipes through empty air.
With a huff, Verilich decides to land. His descent is anything but graceful. He wobbles awkwardly in the air, arms flailing a bit for balance, before landing behind the barrier with a heavy thud. His feet skid in the muck, and for a brief moment, it looks like he might lose his footing entirely before he manages to right himself.
Now firmly on the ground, Verilich readjusts his stance, standing over the unconscious orange goblin, ready for the next strike despite his less-than-perfect landing.
Initiative Order:
Khalid <== Up!
Caius <== Up!
Green Goblin
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin
Gundar
Purple Goblin
Verilich
Ghaernan <== Up!
Orange Goblin
From where he is, Verilich can see into the next room through a small hole/window in the wall:
This chamber has no floor, opening directly into the sump of a sewage pit below. Likewise, the charred ceiling has fallen away, revealing the fire-blackened rafters above. Next to a hole cut in the southwest corner of the wall, a crude ladder that has been nailed to the wall provides access to the rafters above.
Verilich, please roll Perception.
Khalid will wait for Caius to act before he goes.
Ghaernan continues the Ballad of the Bloodmarch with a fierce smile, inspiring his companions with the arcane Words, while leveling his crossbow for a clear, close-range shot targeting the filthy red goblin...
As the battle unfolds, Ghaernan stands firm, his voice rising above the clamor of combat as he begins to sing “The Battle of the Bloodmarch”, the stirring melody filling the air:
"On the fields where the blood did flow,
Heroes stood, and none dared bow low—
By sword and bolt, by courage pure,
Their will to fight would long endure…"
Without moving from his position, Ghaernan smoothly draws his already-loaded crossbow, his fingers steady on the trigger. His voice never falters as he takes aim at the red goblin, whose snarling face is filled with fury.
"The march was won by steel and flame,
But death would not take those without name—"
TWANG! The crossbow fires with a sharp snap, and the bolt flies true, striking the goblin in the side. The red goblin lets out a cry of pain, clutching the wound as blood seeps from the injury, but it remains on its feet, rage still burning in its eyes.
"...For every foe they cast away,
Their song remains to this very day."
Ghaernan lowers his crossbow, his song continuing as the goblin, though wounded, fights to stay in the fray.
Initiative Order:
Khalid <== Up!
Caius <== Up!
Green Goblin
Red Goblin - Injured
Blue Goblin
Gundar
Purple Goblin
Verilich
Ghaernan
Orange Goblin
Caius takes the lead in slaying the last vermin in this room.
Khalid will take a five foot step and try to finish off the red goblin, though he might have some cover from the plank.
Standing in the thick, foul muck, Caius raises his massive greatsword, muscles flexing as he swings with powerful force toward the wounded red goblin in front of him. The blade cuts through the air with a deadly whistle, but the goblin, driven by desperation, darts to the side at the last moment, and Caius' sword finds only empty air, splashing muck as it swings past the mark.
High above, Khalid, balanced on the precarious wooden plank over the pit, watches the goblin narrowly evade Caius' strike. With a quick adjustment, he readies his polearm, the horse chopper, and brings it down in a sweeping arc toward the same goblin. But the slippery footing combined with the goblin’s agility works against him, and his weapon strikes the ground with a thud, missing the goblin entirely.
The red goblin, battered but undeterred, glances between the two towering figures and snarls defiantly. Wounded from Ghaernan’s crossbow, and surrounded by foes, it chooses to fight on. With a growl of determination, the goblin lashes out with its short sword, darting forward toward Caius. The blade, though small, catches Caius off guard, slashing across his side with a sharp cut.
The goblin grins wickedly, emboldened by the successful strike, even as the battle rages on around him.
Initiative Order:
Khalid
Caius - Injured
Green Goblin
Red Goblin - Injured
Blue Goblin
Gundar <== Up!
Purple Goblin
Verilich - Injured
Ghaernan
Orange Goblin