Responding to earnest shouts from their leader, a pair of goblins run to the ally between buildings and, shrieking unintelligibly, fire sling stones towards Slidell. One stone is wide, bouncing harmlessly into the square. The other is on target, but Slidell adroitly dodges to the side.
The near goblin is in sneak attack range; the far goblin has a range penalty. Attack at +3/+2 (FF AC 14) RESULTS = 7,12 (both miss)
The other goblin runs behind the house that Corran and Ehlissa are working their way around.
Grimacing at the ineffectivenss of his troops, the goblin champion draws his bow and launches an arrow towards Corran. It strikes a glancing blow across the ranger's exposed shoulder. His wolf charges, but moments before landing a fierce bite, is intercepted by Vesh's well placed arrow, taking a grievous wound between the ribs.
ASIDE For Vesh's attack, the wolf's base AC is 14 modified as follows: -2 (charging) -2 (attack from unseen enemy) +4 (cover from Ehlissa) = 14. So 17 hits. The range is 30 feet, so sneak attack applies. I decided that since the wolf began its charge out of scent range, it would not get a chance to abort. The wolf got a 19 on its perception check penalized as follows -4 range > 40' -5 distracted for a 10; Vesh's Stealth result was 11.
Slidell watches the quick movements of his partners, but seems undecided about which way he should go. To the left to fight the 'big goblin' that Veran told him about, or straight up the alley to help the man cowering under the wagon.
At least he seemed undecided until two of the goblins decided to use him for target practice. They lobbed stones down the alleyway with typical goblin enthusiasm.
"Hey! Watch it!" He shouted as one of the stones bounced off of his Mage Armor mere inches from his face. "You could hurt somebody with those things!"
Slidell frowned as this elicited more chattering and what probably passed as laughter from the dancing green midgets.
"Fine. Let's see how you like it." Slidell growled as he raised his loaded crossbow to his shoulder. "My kingdom for just ONE Fr@%%in Chain Lightning to end this whole, Fr@%%in party!" He continued, just barely loud enough for Malcolm to hear as he sighted down the bolt at the nearest alley goblin, and gently squeezed the trigger.
Game Stuff,... Slidell aims at the goblin in O11. He hits an AC 15 for 4pts Dmg. @JSL-Just a note, but with my Dex (+2) & my Mage Armor (+4) up, my AC is currently 16.(Not complaining. A miss is as good as a mile as far as SLi is concerned!)
Female Human (Chelaxian) Knight 1/Fighter 1/Paladin 1 (2)
Ehlissa sees Corran pressed to fight a mangy goblin cur (so unlike the noble companion of Naelah!) and runs to his aid, slashing into the vile beast as she does so. The now all too familiar sight of blood splashes onto her shield. She wants to retch. There is no joy in this.
@JSL-Just a note, but with my Dex (+2) & my Mage Armor (+4) up, my AC is currently 16.(Not complaining. A miss is as good as a mile as far as SLi is concerned!)
I had you as flat-footed since your init hadn't come up yet. Personally, I'm happy they are getting rid of that rule, though. It doesn't make sense - you *know* you are about to get in a fight, you *should* be on your toes!
Slidell's crossbow bolt strikes the goblin full in the chest, spinning it partially around and into the side of the building with the force of its impact. Down on one knee, the goblin draws its knife and prepares to charge.
Top of the round and I think Arctaris is offline... and with his climb skill, he's not likely getting up on that house this round, so ...
Malcolm, crouching beside the house sees Slidell's shot and, leaning around the corner, takes his own.
Female Human (Shoanti) Druid 3, Sorcerer 1 6,000 XP
Knowing not what told her, Naelah suddenly knew that her newfound comrades were in grave danger.
"Veren!" She cried, turning to the wolf lying be her side in the Chapel. "Nath tha lajath!"*
Leaping to the voice of his mistress, Veren loped rapidly towards the closed door, Naelah close behind - leaning on her staff as she moved. Ignoring her senses that screamed crimson pain at her, she wrenched open the door, and threw herself out into the battle-soaked night. Following her companion, she felt a flicker of fear course through her. Wind give strength. She prayed. Give me the strength to get to them on time.
Unerringly, Veren led her closer to her companions, her senses detecting the sounds of battle as she closed in. Seeing the scene before her unfold rapidly, Naelah let out a cry of victory as she saw some of the foul goblins fall to her friends.
Calling to her companion, she sent him after the goblin threatening the first person outside the tribes who had made her feel safe.
Welcome back 'Naelah', indeed! :)
You'll have to give us the gory details of your own 'battles' later. I confess to great curiosity! Grrr, I keep forgetting that Bless +1!
Corran
The goblin tumbles to the side as your blade whistles past its ear.
Vesh
The champion doesn't even flinch in response to your shot, but he does flash a bemused smile as it sails over his head.
Slidell
One of the goblins moves forward along the side of the building to the north of the alley and launches another sling stone you. This shot is closer and bounces off of the mage armor inches from your nose.
You lucky this time longshanks. Next time, you be dinner. No, wait, too skinny. After dinner snack, maybe.
vs. Vesh
The champion steps deliberately forward, nocks an arrow and takes careful aim. He lets fly. The arrow zips harmlessly past your shoulder and thuds into the side of the building behind you.
vs. Corran
The goblin you are fighting takes a weak, backhanded swing with its dagger that the you easily turns aside. Seeing he is outmatched, the goblin rolls and scampers to the northwest.
Just spent 45 mins typing this, then didn't follow my own advice, and my post got ate! GRRR!
Slidell winced as once more another sling stone bounced off his mystic shield. This time close enough that he thought he felt the impact of the stone through his shield! "Hey! Shorty! Don't you understand plain common? I said watch it with those things!"
He then started to grab the lever to reset his crossbow, when the one he had just shot got back up from where it had been leaning against the wall, pulled out a wicked-looking knife, and charged the skinny wizard! This time there were no sparks from his mystic defenses. The knife didn't even come close enough to touch the field of force surrounding him. But Slidell would later swear that he did feel a breeze from the enthusiastic swing. The goblin then chattered something at him in it's shrill, annoying language.
"Yadda, Yadda, Yadda, Thpppppt!" Slidell yelled back, dropping his now worthless crossbow to bounce from its strap on his hip.
"Your persistent, I admire that,..." Slidell said as he took a step back from the chattering Fey monkey. "And I'm a big fan of 'free will' and 'live and let live',..." He continued as he gestured broadly with his left hand while snatching a dagger from his belt with his right. "But YOU lil' buggers are SERIOUSLY putting a cramp in my plans to die from old age!" With that, he reverses the grip on his dagger like he saw Vesh do earlier, and hurls it at the annoying, dangerous creature in front of him,...
Game stuff,...typing AGAIN,...
-Slidell Drops his crossbow (free action?)
-Takes a 5' step back (This does NOT allow an AoO, correct? Because if it does, obviously I wouldn't do it!)
-Grabs his dagger from his belt (Free action?, Swift action?)
-THROWS it at the goblin. Because my dex gives me a better chance to hit!
OK, found my original roll on Invis Castle, (This is where I typed that 'I have to quit this, your gonna think I'm cheating,' and 'My REAL dice don't like me this much!')
Rolled a Nat 20, +2(Dex) +1(Bless)=23 to hit, 2 pts dmg.
Roll to confirm crit? Same bonuses? Rolled a 12 total Hm, guess not.
THERE! I RETYPED IT ALL! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Sorry, so tired. I go sleep now,...
Female Human (Shoanti) Druid 3, Sorcerer 1 6,000 XP
Despite herself, despite the pain in her body, Naelah smiled as Slidell spoke. Even in the face of danger, he was still talking, and seemed more annoyed with the savage little creatures than scared of them.
Realizing that she was too hurt to fight properly, but also knowing that Slidell probably wasn't all that good in melee range, she repeated a short phrase to Veren. "Veren, shtata thash!"
With a short bark, he leapt to her command, bounding towards the goblin close by Slidell with breakneck speed, unleashing a mouthful of savage teeth.
This is just for clarification. Though if my understanding of the SRD is wrong, please correct me.
Slidell Stormraven wrote:
-Slidell Drops his crossbow (free action?)
[ooc]Yes, dropping a weapon is a free action. Smart to have it strapped to you so it doesn't hit the ground.
Slidell Stormraven wrote:
-Takes a 5' step back (This does NOT allow an AoO, correct? Because if it does, obviously I wouldn't do it!)
Yes again, a 5' step does not provoke an AoO
Slidell Stormraven wrote:
-Grabs his dagger from his belt (Free action?, Swift action?)
This is a move action. Since you took a 5' step, you cannot use a move action to move this turn, but you can still use it to do something else.
Ok. I have to do some work and Vesh and Corran still have to go before the goblins. For Naelah: Slidell has dropped the goblin in front of him. Do you want Veren to charge the other goblin or do you want to hold him back?
Male Human (Varisian) Spellthief 4 (XP = 6405) as of 7/28, Wrathspawn and Shrine (10,000xp = 5th level)
Vesh is on the move even before the goblin's arrow crashes on the building behind him. Spinning behind Corran, he pulls an arrow from the quiver on his back before coming to a stop beside the dead dog. We shall trade arrows, then, fiend!
JSL: The smudgy thing @ M10, is that a tree, or a shrubbery? ----------------------------------------- "I am a shrubber. My name is Roger the Shrubber. I arrange, design, and sell shrubberies."
Slidell:
You step back and throw your dagger, hitting the little fiend square in the chest. It topples over, clutching your dagger with both hands.
Veren:
Veren charges up the street attacking the approaching goblin. It narrowly eludes his snapping jaws.
Malcolm: Malcolm is delaying until after the goblins act this round.
Ehlissa:
You move forward, swinging at the goblin as it retreats. It ducks under your sword at the last instant and flashes a mouth full of yellowing teeth.
Vesh:
You move, spin, and fire in a fluid motion. Despite your artistry, the goblin champion is unmoved and spits noisily on the ground as your arrow flies over his head. He takes careful aim.
Male Human (Varisian) Spellthief 4 (XP = 6405) as of 7/28, Wrathspawn and Shrine (10,000xp = 5th level)
JSL wrote:
Despite your artistry, the goblin champion is unmoved and spits noisily on the ground as your arrow flies over his head. He takes careful aim.
On a 16!? I've got a bad feeling about this.
As the arrow sails high, Vesh thinks, I've got a bad feeling about this. ---------------------------- Did I miss because of the whole Ducks/Beavers conversation? If so, Go Beavers! GO BEAVERS!!
Corran:
You sprint towards the goblin champion, dodging around his underling You can get there without an AoO and swinging wildly. Although your blow misses, he staggers backward, thrown off balance.
Goblin vs. Ehlissa
One of the goblins swings at Ehlissa, but succeeds only in chipping its knife on her shield. Shrieking in rage, it staggers to the side.
Champ vs. Corran
Momentarily distracted, the champion regains his composure, steps back, and fires an arrow at Corran, striking the ranger flush in the left shoulder.
Goblin vs. Veren
Meanwhile, the other goblin drops his sling in horror as Veren closes on him. Drawing his knife he swings wildly while just barely eluding the wolf.
Malcolm
Realizing he is more of a danger to Veren than to the goblin, Malcolm drops his crossbow and sprints towards the goblin, rapier flashing in the dying rays of the sun.
@Vesh: The champ is tough. That's why he's the champ. But you guys can take him with some teamwork. Also, had either you or Corran targeted the other goblin instead, I think you would have dropped it (or at least severely wounded it). That might not seem like a big deal. Corran is right: kill the big guy and the rabble will break. But right now the rabble is blocking for the big guy. If he were dead, Ehlissa could charge next round. Don't take me wrong; I'm not trying to be critical and I know the PbP format has tactical limitations. I've just played way too much DDM and constantly think about every last way to eke out an attack bonus.
Seeing her companion lash out, Naelah forgets the pain she feels, and races towards the beset goblin, her wooden staff at the ready. Those nearby see what can only be described as some kind of wintry goddess made flesh - a creature of strength, of speed - pure, brutal, nature at its most alluring. She all but flies at the goblin, whirling her staff around and aiming it for the little creatures' head.
I'm not trying to be critical and I know the PbP format has tactical limitations. I've just played way too much DDM and...
You bring up some great points a/b the PbP format and tactics and have sparked some thoughts that I think I'll bring up in the next day or two on the discussion forum. We now return to our regularly scheduled programing...
By the way, for those of you flipping back a page to see the initiative order, here it is:
Malcolm
Ehlissa
Corran
Vesh
Goblins
Champion
Slidell
Naelah
Slidell watched as the goblin in front of him gasped, gurgled, staggered back & forth, and finally gave up and fell down, Slidell's dagger firmly embedded in it's chest.
"I TOLD you to back off." Slidell shook his finger at the dead goblin as a familiar, furry form hurtled past him, heading towards the other goblin in the alley.
"Go get'em Veren." He murmured as he bent over to retrieve his dagger from the goblin's chest. About halfway over he stopped. Blinked. Looked up. Looked back down at the dead goblin. "VEREN?!?"
He looked up again. Yep. Wolf, with white socks, at 11 o'clock. Headed straight for the alley goblin like its tail was on fire.
He watched as the Veren closed in and pounced at the chattering creature, the wolf's jaws missing the goblin by a narrow margin. A huge grin spread over Slidell's face.
Slidell glanced over his shoulder in the direction Veren had come from. Slidell's grin threatened to split his face. Sure enough, there was Naelah. She was leaning on her staff, looking haggard, wan, and if possible even paler than usual. But she was there.
'How does a woman from a tribe that practically LIVES outdoors manage to stay so pale? And how come SHE doesn't sunburn?!? Slidell wondered as he tipped his hat with an exaggerated flourish in her direction.
Naelah looked like she could use a nap. For a week. But she was there. Slidell's normally exuberant spirits lifted even higher. He didn't believe in destiny. But when he met her those scant hours ago, he had felt a definite connection of some kind. And here she was, hurt but refusing to stay out of the fight. "How can we lose?!"
With a final jaunty wave at Naelah, Slidell turned, still grinning, and began running up the alley. His dagger temporarily forgotten in the chest of the dead goblin.
As he passed by Malcolm, he stopped and looked at the (rightfully) nervous goblin trapped between a wolf and a hard case.
"How's it going? Everything under control? Good." He patted Malcolm's shoulder and turned to continue on,...
After all of the funny stuff, Slidell books down the alley. I'm aiming for O11, Between Malcolm and the wall. But I'll settle for P12 if I figured the movement wrong. As long as I end up in a spot where the goblin doesn't have a clear line of att to me. (AoO or no, those things are crazy! I am NOT giving it a clear shot at me!) I didn't make it clear in the text, but I'm single-purposedly still heading for the man & the wagon.
If I figured it right, In my next move I can (just) make it to the wagon and share cover there with the man. Then maybe I can do some good in the other fight.
Go Naelah!
EDIT- Ive been typing for almost an hour, and NOW seeing Naelah's post made me realize that I've forgotten about 'running', double-move and all that. If there is any way I can make it to the wagon in THIS round by running, Sli would say his lines as he PASSED Malcolm on the way to the wagon. Even if he ended up in the street that would be ok. After all, He doesn't know that the Champ would have a shot at him as he exits the alley! (Hopefully Veran will warn him. Or not. The bird can be prissy at times!)
Female Human (Chelaxian) Knight 1/Fighter 1/Paladin 1 (2)
Ehlissa looks horrified as Corran is struck by the enemy's foremost warrior. Her determination to deal with this menace is heightened now by the danger her new-found friends are in. Through force of will she attempts to cut the goblin down out of her way.
Ehlissa looks horrified as Corran is struck by the enemy's foremost warrior. Her determination to deal with this menace is heightened now by the danger her new-found friends are in. Through force of will she attempts to cut the goblin down out of her way.
Female Human (Chelaxian) Knight 1/Fighter 1/Paladin 1 (2)
Thanks chief, will do
Dispatching her foe, the brave noblewoman spies their most dangerous opponent. Hoping to provide an opening for her allies, she carries through with the momentum of her strike and leaps forward to engage the goblin's leader.
Male Human Unfortunately, I appear to be an Expert, not anything cool :-(
Ehlissa Briez wrote:
Thanks chief, will do
Dispatching her foe, the brave noblewoman spies their most dangerous opponent. Hoping to provide an opening for her allies, she carries through with the momentum of her strike and leaps forward to engage the goblin's leader.
I'll post my action in a minute, but did Ehlissa manage to set up a flanking postion with Corran?
Slidell
You sprint up the alley, past Malcolm and Veren, sliding to a stop beneath a tree. The man cowering under the wagon looks at you with a mixture of shock and fear in his eyes. You notice that he is dressed in noble's finery - now muddied and torn. I stopped you here because otherwise you would have ended in open ground in the middle of the road.
Naelah You can't charge the goblin because Veren is in the way. But you can double move behind him, giving Veren the flank
Naelah runs past Slidell and executes a deft turn, placing her behind the now surrounded goblin.
Veren see above, misses the goblin
Ehlissa
Your blow sends the goblin staggering backwards where it collapses in a heap. What's that 5 today, or 6?Carrying forward, you move behind the leader hoping to distract him momentarily and give Vesh and Corran an opening.
"Aargh!" Corran screams in pain and rage as the arrow rips into him.
"Die gobo scum!" The sword gripped in both hands, Corran steps forward and whips the blade from over his shoulder and down into the goblin champion with a meaty thunk.
Finally, some good rolls. Corran smacked the goblin champion for 13 pts of damage. Almost a critical too. Oh, and I moved 5' to L4
Corran's sword bites deeply into the goblin's chest. It staggers to one knee, coughing and sputtering before dropping its bow and drawing a pair of cruel knives from its belt. A mixture of gasping and chuckling escapes its lips as it strikes out in retaliation.
Malcolm delays until after Naelah to take advantage of the flank I suggested earlier. This assumes he has the flank bonus.
Malcolm darts into the goblin's blindspot and lunges with his rapier...
Attack +4 RESULT = 5 (nat 1)... apparently almost impaling himself. yesh!
And once again the first level combat devolves into a flury of misses. Slidell is up and then top of the round with Vesh, Ehlissa, and Corran all before the goblins.
Question, Do we still hear the music that you described earlier? Cuz I don't think that mr. short, green & choppy seems to be much of a singer. I ask because it would affect whether or not I use my last 'good' spell, or save it for later if I thought it might be needed more. Of course, the joy of THIS character is, no matter what I say or do, it all makes sense,...to him! If I can get a good look at the champ, can I tell how badly he's hurt? I will have to move to get a good look I'm sure.
Slidell peeks around the wall of the building, obviously trying to get a view of the battle around the corner. The chattering and squealing of the goblin in the alley increases moment by moment as, even though it is surrounded and cannot escape, it somehow manages to dance and evade all of the bites and blows sent it's way. Finally Slidell stage whispers over his shoulder, "Can you ask him to be quiet please? I'm trying to think here!"
The combination of another squeal, mixed with the sailor's colorful curse as he almost breaks his rapier on the alley wall, causes Slidell to roll his eyes and mutter, "Fine. I'll find a quieter spot."
He peeks around the corner again, and then in a flurry of traveling cloak he bats aside the low-hanging tree branches and runs into and across the street.
He slides to a stop panting next to the frightened man in finery hiding behind the cart. "Hi. How're you doing? Names Slidell. Nice spot. Mind if I join you? 'Scuze me a sec,.."
Slidell then manages to get the staff off of his shoulder where it has been bouncing for what seems like forever. He then quickly removes his wide-brimmed hat and sticks it on the end of his staff. He looks at the wide-eyed noble and says, "Old trick. Gets 'em every time." And sticks the staff and hat up into the air until it is above the side of the wagon. Cocking an eyebrow at the apparent lack of response, he wiggles the staff again. Slidell "Hmm"'s and then peeks over the side of the wagon himself.
"Ah." He says as he finally gets a good look at the remnants of battle and the final, furious fight currently underway between the 2 warriors he just met and a surprisingly tough-looking goblin. "He's occupied. Good!"
He leans his staff against the wagon, and grabs his crossbow with one hand while removing the hat from the staff with the other. He blinks at his two full hands, then plops his beaten, leather, wide-brimmed hat onto the nobles head. "Hold this for me a moment, would you?"
He then risks another glance over the top of the wagon as he begins fiddling with his cross bow,...
Game stuff- (Spoilered for length, not 'eyes only')
Spoiler:
I end up in either I9 or J9, next to the noble and behind the wagon. He didn't have to go to all that rigamarole, but he didn't bother to look as he crossed the street to see if the goblins were using missile weapons, and I've always wanted to do a "hat on a stick" scene!
The way I see it, I have 2 options, (3 if you count all my fun time as taking up the rest of this round, which is fine too),
1) I start casting this round, and the summoned appears on my turn next round and acts immediately on my turn. (which I guess then allows me to act on my turn that round too.)
2)Or I wait until next round, load my crossbow, but then I'm shooting into melee, and my dex ain't THAT good! (Unless I shout at the warriors to give me room, and they 5' step away after their next round action?)
POsting a question about AoO on discussion thread,...
Question, Do we still hear the music that you described earlier? Cuz I don't think that mr. short, green & choppy seems to be much of a singer. I ask because it would affect whether or not I use my last 'good' spell, or save it for later if I thought it might be needed more. Of course, the joy of THIS character is, no matter what I say or do, it all makes sense,...to him! If I can get a good look at the champ, can I tell how badly he's hurt? I will have to move to get a good look I'm sure.
The singing has stopped. They're too busy fighting (and dying) to sing, I guess. You can either start casting or try to get a good look at the fight, but not both. At this range, you will need a good Perception check to see what is going on considering that it is dusk, all the combatants are moving around, and they are some distance from you. Personally, I think it's a good time for the spell. Another flanker would really help the fight.
"Dangit to Hades,..." Slidell mutters vehemently, throwing his crossbow aside. It flies a foot out, and then its tether brings it crashing back onto his hip. "OW! I really gotta get a new pair of glasses." He tells the cowering man whose eyes are now as wide as dinner plates.
"Watch this, it'll be fun!" He says, and then stands up, looks towards where the two warriors are dancing with the large goblin, and begin chanting. His hands moving in a complicated series of passes,...
OK, I'm starting to cast a Summon Monster I, takes one round, appears on my next turn and acts. Range of the arrival is 25' +5'/lvl, and I have a +1caster lvl to conjuration spells from my Tattoo. So the creature will stay 2 rounds. I already have the creature (and my lines) picked out for next round. ;) And I should have cover from the wagon from any retaliation from the goblin. Thanks.
EDIT-That's too bad about the singing. I had written Sli's comeback song to sing back at them! ;)
Ehlissa stands before the snarling leader, and declares, "Your followers are fallen, your terror is no more. May whatever gods you hold dear watch over you. As you have shown no mercy, so I shall be sword of judgement." With that she brings her battle-tested blade to bear against the barbaric brigand!
Of the goblins slain, as Dirty Harry might say, "In all this excitement, I've kind of lost track." I think it's 4 goblins, and 1 goblin wolf. The dice really are on Ehlissa's side (mostly)! Unlike one of my other PbP characters (on another site) who is close to death after only 5 posts!
Male Human (Varisian) Spellthief 4 (XP = 6405) as of 7/28, Wrathspawn and Shrine (10,000xp = 5th level)
I thought Vesh was third in initiative order, not first. Since I won't be able to check JSL's clarification on where I fall in the intiative order until late tonight, I'll write two different posts. JSL, please apply whichever one makes most sense.
---------------------------------------
Version 1 (if Vesh is first):
Vesh advances on the wounded, so-called champion and swings his shortsword in his face. He attempts to create an opening which Ehlissa or Corran can exploit.
I thought Vesh was third in initiative order, not first. Since I won't be able to check JSL's clarification on where I fall in the intiative order until late tonight, I'll write two different posts. JSL, please apply whichever one makes most sense.
Technically, you are third. But even if you were still first, it would make sense to delay until after Ehlissa and Corran so that they could give each other flank bonuses and Ehlissa could move to give you a flank bonus. Don't forget your sneak attack damage on the flank-charge.
Female Human (Chelaxian) Knight 1/Fighter 1/Paladin 1 (2)
Ehlissa doesn't get flank bonuses... well she could but would then get penalties to other stuff - knight's code and all that - but she can still grant them. Just to be fair and let you know! :)
He slides to a stop panting next to the frightened man in finery hiding behind the cart. "Hi. How're you doing? Names Slidell. Nice spot. Mind if I join you? 'Scuze me a sec,.."
"Huh, wha? Who are you," the man says, slowly standing up beside you. You see that he is dressed in very fine clothes - exquisite silk trimmed with gold and platinum thread. He is tall and lean. You immediately notice the gold ring on his finger and the fine, ivory hilt of a dagger at his belt. He looks at you quizically and begins dusting the dirt and mud off of his clothes.
Slidell Stormraven wrote:
...leans his staff against the wagon, and grabs his crossbow with one hand while removing the hat from the staff with the other. He blinks at his two full hands, then plops his beaten, leather, wide-brimmed hat onto the nobles head. "Hold this for me a moment, would you?"...
"Aaaugh! What's wrong with you, man?" He steps back, startled and throws your hat on the ground. Looking around for the first time since he stood up, he looks straight at one goblin then the other. "Aaaugh! They're still out there. Heaven's have mercy. Don't just stand there muttering like a half-bred orc. Do something!" He smacks you, none too gently on the back of your head as he says this last bit.
Ehlissa
Yelling as you strike, you open a shallow cut across the goblin's forehead. More importantly, you draw its attention away from Corran, who is badly injured. It turns to face you and grins an evil, yellow-toothed goblin grin.
Vesh
Seeing the goblin turn to face Ehlissa, you seize the opportunity and rush it, sword held high over your head in both hands. It hears you coming at the last instant, but before it can react, you are upon it. You drive your sword down into the base of its neck, putting all of your weight behind your blow. Flesh gives way to bone and bone gives way to the creatures hollow, gasping scream as the force of your blow twists your sword to the side, wrenching it from your hands and nearly severing the goblin's head from the rest of its body. It falls in a bloody mass and you stagger to the side, winded, but unhurt.
Goblin
Perhaps aware that it is the last goblin standing, the pathetic cornered creature in the alley makes a break for it, heading north towards Slidell.
It will attempt to tumble to avoid AoOs. Tumbling past three opponents requires it to make three tumble checks at DC 15, 17, and 19, respectively. It gets to choose which check applies to which enemy. Not a total dummy, it will apply the DC 15 to Veren, the 17 to Malcolm, and the 19 to Naelah it can move half-speed for the action used to tumble. It can then take a move action for a total of 9 squares of movement. Tumble+6 (DC 15,17,19) Goblin Tumble checks (1d20+6=19, 1d20+6=14, 1d20+6=22) Remarkably, it only draws an AoO from Malcolm.
As the goblin zips past, Malcolm spies a brief opening and attacks with his rapier...
...Narrowly missing the fleeing goblin. The goblin scampers up the street towards the North Gate. The horse, which has idly watched events unfold, panicks and bolts before the unrushing knife-wielding menace.
Nice! Now if someone could only hit the other goblin. Please! Slidell: you can continue summoning if you want and direct the creature to the gobbo.
Female Human (Chelaxian) Knight 1/Fighter 1/Paladin 1 (2)
Double move to J12
Ehlissa doesn't gloat over their victory, she feels uneasy that she didn't face the champion in single combat, but is grateful to her friends. She spies the fleeing goblin and sprints after him!
Slidell frowns as the man whacks him on the back of his head, but never falters in his fluid speech or complex gestures. The only other outward sign of his irritation is the warning squawk from Veran, still safely perched on the roof across the street.
He does slow down in his casting when he sees the large goblin drop under the combined assault of Ehlissa, Corran and Vesh. But before he can drop the casting completely, his attention is drawn to the alleyway by Veran.
"Getting away! He's getting away! Move it stick-boy! Awwk!"
Seeing the fleeing goblin, Slidell smiles and regains his full speed, smoothly finishing the spell. Only the well-dressed man by the wagon is in position to notice the glowing runes that shine once more through Slidell's shirt. This time his entire arm is glowing steadily, and the runes shift to clearly form the shape of what looks like a serpent,...with wings?
On the last phrase he turns and hurls a ball of light after the fleeing goblin. The ball of light misses the goblin, passing it and landing on the ground in front of it.
"You missed!" Veran squawks even louder than before, "Your supposed to be this great and powerful mage, and you missed!" Instead of his usual verbal response to his familiars' abuse, Slidell simply smilies bigger and crosses his arms. Then the ball of light explodes.
It explodes soundlessly, the flash of light coalescing into a ring of light formed of glowing runes. It shines brightly again, flaring and fading to reveal a small form on the ground in front of the goblin.
It is a dog. It is one of the most beautiful, perfectly-formed specimens of canine-ness that Naelah has ever seen. And it glows faintly with its own, inner, light.
By now Slidell's grin threatens to split his face. "You enjoy playing with dogs so much, I wanted you to meet mine!" He shouts at the goblin. "Goblin, Fido. Fido, lunch. SIC 'EM FIDO!
MORI AELOR!"
The golden dog glows even brighter as it lunges for the now-shreiking goblin,...
Elvish speakers,...
Spoiler:
MORI AELOR = SMITE EVIL
I aim the spell at H15, directly in front of the fleeing goblin. I have a 35' range with this spell currently. (25' + 5'/lvl, I have +1 caster lvl on Conj spells with Varisian Tattoo.)
The summoned is a Celestial Dog, Normal Dog stats + smite evil at this level. Dog is AC 15, HD1d8+2 (average 6HP), +2 to melee Att, Dmg 1d4+1 +smite evil damage if it hits.
