"I see the range is popular." She says, noticing the children. "Can I try?"
"Yes," says Kinmorn brightly, "please do. I hope you are enjoying the festival thus far."
Jessa also takes a moment to chat with Mitnal and Gengar. "Hello, boys..." she grins, "It's nice to see you again. Are you planning on going to the consecration tonight for the new cathedral? Kinmorn should be there, too. And I'll bring Blackwing along as well. We could all stand together, if you'd like?"
"Hello Eventide. Is The Raven ... Blackwing ... here? Ah. There he is." Mitnal nods to The Raven. "Tonight? Will there be more speeches?" then, glancing at Ameiko adds "I will be here."
Jessa also takes a moment to chat with Mitnal and Gengar. "Hello, boys..." she grins, "It's nice to see you again. Are you planning on going to the consecration tonight for the new cathedral? Kinmorn should be there, too. And I'll bring Blackwing along as well. We could all stand together, if you'd like?"
Gengar spends most of the time keeping an eye on the frivolous noble. But when he hears his name he turns to Jessa. "Why, yes ma'am, thank you. I would be honored to be in your presence."
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As the sun sinks toward the horizon, acolytes and watch members begin building the bonfire, and Father Zanthus and the other church leaders begin to congregate by the podium to start the dedication. Kinmorn and Ruano make their way to that side of the square as well. The crowds gather in the square in anticipation, among them Jessa, Mitnal and Gengar, and somewhere in there, Shantare.
Then, as the lower limb of the sun first kisses the sea, Father Zanthus steps to the podium and tosses a thunderstone to the ground to gather everyone's attention. As the roll of thunder quiets the crowd and diminishes into the crystal clear evening sky, Zanthus clears his throat and begins to speak, when a frightened shriek echoes out over the square. It followed by another, then another, and soon the air is filled with the sounds of screams and chaos. Above that comes the sound of dozens of inhuman voices cackling, chattering and singing.
Another scream peals through the air, this time quite close to where Jessa, Mitnal and Gengar are standing. The crowd parts and something low to the ground races by, chasing a stray dog under a nearby cart and giggling maniacally. The dog gives a pained yelp from under the cart, followed by a low gurgle, and a small river of blood begins to flow out into the street.
Ruano's Spot: 1d20 + 3 = 19 + 3 = 22
Spot's Spot: 1d20 + 5 = 14 +5 = 19
Ruano:
Blackwing's Spot check: (1d20+7=8)
It seems that both Jessa and Blackwing are confused or distracted in the unexpected chaos of the moment...
Kinmorn is engrossed in what his superior is about to say, and when he hears the scream its as if he is coming out of a daze.
While his friends chatter on, Gengar only half participates. In his heart, he has decided to try again at helping the noble spend his coin. The dwarf continually scans the crowd look for the young man, when...
Ruano looks confused for a moment. What's going on? Then he sees the dark shapes on the outskirts of the crowd. The farmers' rumors were right. Goblins!
"Get the children inside!" he yells, reaching for his sling, while sliding his walking stick into the prepared loops on the outside of his pack. "Goblins!" This community is supposed to be under his protection. Time to protect it. Ruano inwardly curses, and thinks of the armor sitting in Spot's saddlebags. He should have dressed the part, like that Priest of the Hunter God. His linen shirt won't be doing him much good.
Spot seems to notive something amiss as well. She sniffs the air and begins to growl.
While his friends chatter on, Gengar only half participates. In his heart, he has decided to try again at helping the noble spend his coin. The dwarf continually scans the crowd look for the young man, when...
Gengar:
Here's how this will work. I'll usually have the first person to post at the start of a combat roll one initiative for everybody. I'll take that roll and apply initiative modifiers to get the combat order. While you're waiting for your turn, you can post out of order, and it's especially helpful if you include conditional choices (for example: IF the first goblin is still alive on my turn, I attack, otherwise I'll try to save that damsel over there).
For this particular combat, since you're located more or less in two groups, I'll use two initiative rolls -- the one Ruano made, for Ruano, Kinmorn, and some NPCs over ther, and an initiative roll that GENGAR should make right now.
Gengar's initiative will cover himself, Jessa, Mitnal, and Shantare.
Now Ruano and Gengar (and Spot) are the only ones who can act in the surprise round, everyone else will have to wait for the next round.
And probably for me to get home from work. Sorry.
And just to set the scene a little clearer --
Ruano and Kinmorn are behind the small podium and stage set up for the dignitaries to speak, along with Father Zanthus, Mayor Deverin, Sherrif Hemlock, and a small handful of other acolytes.
Gengar, Jessa and Mitnal are near the bonfire in the center of the square.
Shantare is somewhere in the crowd, not far from Gengar, Jessa and Mitnal.
The square is absolutely packed with people, and screams, murmurs and chaos are rippling through the crowd at an alarming rate.
Now Ruano and Gengar (and Spot) are the only ones who can act in the surprise round, everyone else will have to wait for the next round.
Gengar spots a nasty little scourge dash under a cart and kills a dog with a brutal little makeshift sword. It growls and bares its teeth as it notices Gengar staring right at it.
"GOBLINS!" the dwarf yells over the din of the chaos. "Mitnal, under tha cart!" and he draws his handaxe.
Shantare air of happiness from the festival disappears, and she scowls with anger. Nasty Goblins! She draws out her rapier and advances to the nearest goblin.
Shantare air of happiness from the festival disappears, and she scowls with anger. Nasty Goblins! She draws out her rapier and advances to the nearest goblin.
First I need a spot check from you to see if you can act in the surprise round.
Okay, here we go!
Ruano:
Six goblins, brandishing crude, savage weapons, appear as if from thin air at the north end of the small stage that the podium is set up on in front of the cathedral. That end of the stage is to your right as you face the crowd. With startling alacrity, the goblins leap up onto the stage and charge you and the other dignitaries. Most of them focus on other people, but one makes a beeline straight for you, and closes the distance, swinging his weapon wildly (though he is unable to complete an actual attack).
Kinmorn, another goblin leaps straight for you.
One goblin, too afraid of Spot to engage, hovers back at the end of the stage. Coincidentally, this is the same goblin that Spot has targeted for her attack.
The rest of the goblins have charged at Father Zanthus, the Mayor, and the Sheriff.
Ruano, because the goblins in your group went first (Nat 20), and one has closed to melee distance with you, you can change your mind about pulling out the sling.
Spot, who moves just before you, will charge the goblin lingering in the back.
Surprise Round initiative:
(Ruano's init roll: 15, Goblins' init roll: 20)
Goblins 21
Ruano 18
Spot 17
(Gengar's init roll: 17, Goblins' init roll: 14)
Gengar 20
Goblins 15
The rest of combat will go as follows:
Fight at the stage:
Goblins 21
Ruano 18
Spot 17
Kinmorn 14
NPCs last
Fight at the bonfire:
Mitnal 22
Gengar 20
Shantare, Jessa, and Blackwing all act on 19
Goblins 15
NPCs last
Given that there is Goblin within immediate reach, Ruano will try to crack the blighter in the face with his staff, then he'll take a 5-foot step away.
Spot will charge at the goblin that seems to be afraid of her.
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Gengar:
You yell out your warning and draw your axe, only to see five more goblins appear out of nowhere, coming from the south end of the square. There are two carts of straw fuel and lumber for the bonfire nearby. One about twenty feet away that the first goblin you spotted is hiding under, and one right behind you.
Four of the five goblins have moved generally toward your vicinity, and are menacing you, Mitnal and Jessa, as well as other bystanders. The fifth goblin simply appears on top of the fuel wagon behind you and jumps on to Jessa's back, brandishing his cruel knife and wildly trying to grab a fistful of her hair to hang to (though he hasn't succeeded yet).
Shantare:
You are actually within thirty feet of Gengar's location, and you hear his shouted warning to Mitnal, but you have spotted neither him nor any goblins, so while I'll let you draw your rapier during the surprise round, you don't know where the action is yet, so you stand around trying to figure out how to get in the fight.
Jessa:
SURPRISE!
Mitnal hears Gengar's warning and heads for the goblin under the cart, swinging his warhammer around in a low swing.
Mitnal hears Gengar's warning and heads for the goblin under the cart, swinging his warhammer around in a low swing.
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Given that there is Goblin within immediate reach, Ruano will try to crack the blighter in the face with his staff, then he'll take a 5-foot step away.
You do exactly that, smashing the bulging-eyed freak in his bulbous head, bloodying his face. It's not smiling any more.
Spot will charge at the goblin that seems to be afraid of her.
She closes the distance to the terrified goblin, but it throws its shield up and spins away as she strikes. It is then that you notice the shields this group is armed with seem to in fact be bits of broken wagon wheel, broken door, or other found piece of useful trash.
Mitnal hears Gengar's warning and heads for the goblin under the cart, swinging his warhammer around in a low swing.
Sure thing! I thought you might change your mind.
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Above the sound of rising chaos, the giggling, cackling voices coalesce into a song:
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!
Chase the baby and catch the pup.
Bonk the head to shut it up.
Bones be cracked, flesh be stewed,
We be goblins! You be food!
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First Full Round
At the Podium:
I fear all three of you have may have been hit for damage (please confirm):
Goblin attack rolls:
1st roll v Ruano, 2nd v Kinmorn, 3rd v. Spot (1d20 3=15, 1d20 3=19, 1d20 3=13)
Damage:
Ruano (1d4 1=2)
Kinmorn (1d4 1=4)
Spot (1d4 1=4)
Ruano is up, followed by Spot and Kinmorn.
Over by the Bonfire
Mitnal, presented with an attacking goblin, draws his warhammer and swings it out and low in an almost ideal arc to connect solidly with the freakish little thing. With a sickening cruch, he hits the goblin hard enough to send it sailing well over the heads of the bystanders to land with a limp thud some distance away.
Gengar is up, followed by Shantare, Jessa and Blacking (in any particular order).
The fifth goblin simply appears on top of the fuel wagon behind you and jumps on to Jessa's back, brandishing his cruel knife and wildly trying to grab a fistful of her hair to hang to (though he hasn't succeeded yet).
"Aiiieee! Get it off! Get it off me!" Jessa screams. A savage, slashing dark-feathered shape answers his mistress' call, as Blackwing attacks the goblin clinging to Jessa.
Blackwing's claw attack (+4 melee) = (1d20+4=9)
But the raven seems to do little more than serve as a distraction. Jessa, too, tries to unseat the beast by drawing her dagger and poking at it.
Jessa's attack with her dagger (+0 melee) = (1d20=4)
But finds only empty air...
Gengar:
You yell out your warning and draw your axe, only to see five more goblins appear out of nowhere, coming from the south end of the square. There are two carts of straw fuel and lumber for the bonfire nearby. One about twenty feet away that the first goblin you spotted is hiding under, and one right behind you.
Four of the five goblins have moved generally toward your vicinity, and are menacing you, Mitnal and Jessa, as well as other bystanders. The fifth goblin simply appears on top of the fuel wagon behind you and jumps on to Jessa's back, brandishing his cruel knife and wildly trying to grab a fistful of her hair to hang to (though he hasn't succeeded yet).
Racial hatred momentarily washes through the dwarf as the whole square seems overrun by goblins. Gengar raises his axe and hesitates the slightest moment as Jessa wrestles with one of the buggers on her back.
Kinmorn, heart thumping in his chest, jumps back five feet and lashes out at the goblin that attacked him with the longspear in his hand.
Attack goblin with longspear: (1d20+1=15)
damage: (1d8+1=8)
'Goblins here?' thinks Kinmorn, 'In my town!'
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I fear all three of you have may have been hit for damage (please confirm):
Goblin attack rolls:
1st roll v Ruano, 2nd v Kinmorn, 3rd v. Spot (1d20 3=15, 1d20 3=19, 1d20 3=13)
Spot howls with pain as the goblin's blade digs into her shoulder.
Ruano calls out, "Spot!", just before another goblin's filthy dogslicer leaves a shallow gash across his chest. "Arrgh."
He reaches back with one hand to pull a short, heavy ended bit of wood from its place on his pack. A proper braining-stick, its end lightly bloodstained from various rabbits and squirrels that have made Ruano's dinners. He's bloodied the goblin's nose already, time to split its skull.
Spot's howl turns into an angry snarl as rage overtakes her pain. She lunges at the goblin that made the mistake of hurting her, jaws snapping at its neck.
First I need a spot check from you to see if you can act in the surprise round.
With a sickening cruch, he hits the goblin hard enough to send it sailing well over the heads of the bystanders to land with a limp thud some distance away.
Mitnal allows himself a smile of grim satisfaction: 'All those days of playing 'hammerball' weren't such a waste after all!', he thinks.
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He reaches back with one hand to pull a short, heavy ended bit of wood from its place on his pack. A proper braining-stick, its end lightly bloodstained from various rabbits and squirrels that have made Ruano's dinners. He's bloodied the goblin's nose already, time to split its skull.
You draw your club from your pack and swing another strike at the goblin's head, but he gets his shield up in time to block your blow. You do knock a small chunk out of the shield, which looks like it can only take another hit or two like that before it's gone.
Spot's howl turns into an angry snarl as rage overtakes her pain. She lunges at the goblin that made the mistake of hurting her, jaws snapping at its neck.
Spot's jaws clamp shut around the goblins neck and she gives it a vicious shake, turning the goblin into a limp ragdoll in an instant.
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Kinmorn, heart thumping in his chest, jumps back five feet and lashes out at the goblin that attacked him with the longspear in his hand.
'Goblins here?' thinks Kinmorn, 'In my town!'
Startled by the sudden appearance of an attacking goblin in front of you, something inside takes over. For a moment you feel as if you are floating outside yourself, watching as your arm lunges out, almost of its own accord, and shoves the spear point into the goblin's throat, running him through at the neck.
The spurt of hot blood that slaps you in the face draws you back into the moment, though, and the spear feels heavy in your hand.
As you look around, you see that Sheriff Hemlock has killed one goblin, and moved to help Father Zantus and the mayor deal with the goblins attacking them. Closer at hand, the halfling druid Zantus had invited to participate in the dedication is still fighting a wounded goblin, though his dog has dealt with the goblin at the end of the stage.
On the subject of flat footed goblins, none of the goblins are flat footed, as they all acted in the surprise round.
The one on Jessa's back is currently being denied his dex bonus, because he's not been able to make a grapple check yet, to see if he can hold on to his new perch. His move during the surprise round was to make the jump, but that's about all he could do.
"Aiiieee! Get it off! Get it off me!" Jessa screams. A savage, slashing dark-feathered shape answers his mistress' call, as Blackwing attacks the goblin clinging to Jessa.But the raven seems to do little more than serve as a distraction. Jessa, too, tries to unseat the beast by drawing her dagger and poking at it.
But finds only empty air...
The goblin, still trying to keep its balance, swings wildly at Blackwing as the raven harries, but his lack of balance prevents him from connecting.
Jessa and Blackwing's attacks go wide.
Gengar raises his axe and hesitates the slightest moment as Jessa wrestles with one of the buggers on her back.
You fling your axe at the blighter perched on your friend's back, but it sails harmlesly past both of them and bites into the wood siding of the fuel cart.
Okay, I must away to work. Goblin attacks will have to wait until this afternoon, in between jobs.