Taedric wonders idly why the goblin is laughing as he strikes down his companion, but then turns back to see his companions and the ratdogs swarming them. He turns Trumps to the side and charges into battle, raising his hammer to bring down on the next target.
AC: 10, Touch 10, Flat-footed 9
CMD 13
Hit Points: 12/12
Location: UU49 (via a double move)
Weapon Equipped: Lucerne Hammer +3 (1d10+1) {Reach, Brace}
Trumps:
AC 14/10/12; CMD 14 (18 vs. trip); Hit Points: 14/17
|
This combat in the night casts Taedric in the role of destruction incarnate. The rodent thing falls easily to his hammer.
But now they come, and the sight is chilling. Goblins. Many goblins and one larger than them driving them and instructing them with intelligence that his lessers would never have on their own. They load arrows into their bows and it seems in a minute all your sacrifice will be for naught as you are cut down!
But more chilling still... Where there once was one goblin to the rear of the cart, there are now two. One of them appearing almost like a feral (how is that possible!?!) version of a goblin.
Seneca curses, "Holy Father, what are you bringing down on us. Is this a test?" He drops his shield and raises his crossbow to shoot at the first goblin advancing from the side.
In his rush, another bolt goes astray, "Oh, for the sake of..." He reloads the crossbow, sure that the goblins will soon swarm over the position.
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 10/10
Weapon Equipped Crossbow, Light +1 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Pluchak hates to see the ratdogs around any of his friends, even if they happen to be cats. He steels himself for a volley of arrows, but tries to duck out of the line of fire for most of them.
Damage
|
Abbas pulls open the large hearthstone and draws out a six foot long gold inlaid quarterstaff - shimmering light warms around his fingers where they touch the graceful white wood.
He spins his head in wonder and smiles briefly towards the table, "thanks lady. Got to go. They need me." With that Abbas steps back outside the door and waves the staff in a figure of eight.
"Look what she found. Got to fight the demon goblin." He points with one end in the direction of the cart.
Abbas stats
|
|
Seneca's shot could not have gone much more poorly. Not that degree matters... Miss by an inch, miss by a mile...
And then the rodent things continue their assault on outnumbered Thurzhan. 2 miss but the important one is the one that hit. It hurts the cat, not a mortl wound but it a deep one none the less.
Aidan takes a moment and in the center of the house he places awicked trap, and covers the thing with burned thatch, and cloth easily found in the debris of this home.
Pluchak tries to find something like cover, and then thrusts at the goblin dog. He soundly skewers it and it stops moving.
Thurzhan seeks to free himself from the rest of them attacking savagely. He catches one in his mouth and tears it. Here is your payback he thinks. Also not dead. Also wounded deeply.
Abbas observes the druid. He plays with birds, and now he is setting a trap where there are no enemies? And he wonders what I am doing? Time for that later. The big man rushes out of the cabin toward the feral goblin.
AC: 10, Touch 10, Flat-footed 9
CMD 13
Hit Points: 12/12
Location: QQ62 (via a double move)
Weapon Equipped: Lucerne Hammer +3 (1d10+1) {Reach, Brace}
Trumps:
AC 14/10/12; CMD 14 (18 vs. trip); Hit Points: 14/17
Mounted Combat (vs. first attack vs. Trumps):
Taedric turns back to the cart with a start, Where did that thing come from? He shakes his head for a moment, No matter, it should die all the same.., and spins Trumps around, charging the beast with his spiked hammer.
Aidan sees the battle will go badly if this continues- he must formulate a strategy quickly to take advantage of his comrades' superior martial skill, but the expenditure of Erastil's gifts this day frustrates him. Tkurzhan's wounds grow ragged, and Aidan worries for his brother, but fears the Devotee of Darkness will be overrun if the Sabertooth withdraws.
I am sorry, initiate of hell, but his life must come before yours...
With extreme anguish, and more deliberation, Aidan calls for his brother to come to him. He steps forward, marking the trap with his staff, though onlookers would be hard pressed to gauge his deceit. Seeing the way his long time companion lists as he returns, Aidan quickly begins his spell of detection, hoping he can identify what seeks to ravage the cat.
Pluchak stands his ground ready to stab another beast if they move in on him. He waves Seneca over toward the cottage so that he will be out of the line of fire. "We can make our stand over here!
|
|
Taedrics blow rings true but.... what!!!! This creature, what is it???? The blow that should have killed does not and in fact unless his eyes are playing tricks on him, the thing has gotten stronger! Back straighter, and the look of hate in his eyes is stronger. What has been brought to you?
Whatever it is, the the goblin that released it from the box on the cart is fleeing.And some of the goblins that had bows drawn are unable to get a clear shot and so do not try, while others see the creature and stand slack jawed while the hobgoblin orders them forward. Several do retain something like military bearing and begin launching arrows. 2 shoot at Taedric, and despite having his back turned only one hits. The distance just is too much to bridge. Seneca is the last target, and happily he is not hit. The hobgoblin is full of purpose, but seems to be having trouble sharing it with his lessers. Hoping to encourage them he also shoots an arrow, but he stays behind them as if he might be a collie driving sheep. His aim is also for Seneca, and though the distance is even greater his weapon is better. Luck alone is what keeps the cleric alive. The shot might have killed but perhaps his patron personally intervened. Who knows, and the discussion can wait for another time. The danger has not been close to neutralized.
And for all this, the most troubling thing to note is that this feral goblin is advancing on Taedric swinging a wicked morning star. He aims low and hits Trumps.
Seneca's head turns for a moment, as if he is trying to catch a whisper on the wind. [I]Was that really you father.[I] With renewed vigor he moves back toward where Taedric has just charged, turns back to the rodent things and calls again on the Prince of Darkness, "Destroy them father!"
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 6/10
Weapon Equipped Crossbow, Light +1 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Tkurzhan withdraws, as his brother asked, if hesitantly.
|
|
Abbas sprints across the open ground, waving the staff in the air and shouting towards Taedric and the feral creature. In desperation and anger, he seems to almost shed light, although that could be reflected from the shimmering staff.
"Taedric the ghost says this one is mine! Don't hurt it anymore! I'll get it!"
|
|
Seneca assumes a commanding posture and murmers his words of power. For a moment a his visage becomes darkly regal, and then the moment passes and from him a dark energy races toward the foul rodent things.
The rodent things both seem to shrug off the worst of what Seneca throws at them, but for one, it does not matter... He has had enough and begins to run back from wence he came. The other makes a disturbing throaty squek sound and tries to bite Thurzhan again. The big cat avoids the bite though, and now sees the odds more in his favor.
Aidan calls the big cat from the fight, and begins doing what he can for seeing how bad his wounds are.
Pluchak calls to Seneca, but the man seems heedless of all danger. Something bigger than himself motivates Seneca. The half-orc steps forward a step and plunges his spear through the remaining rat thing. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Thurzhan does not like to be called from mayhem, but listens to his brother. His pink skin brother would do well to learn to love gore like he did. It was when life was at its finest! But come to think of it, he had felt better. His tongue and mouth were developing itchy welts, as was the tear in his hide.
Abbas, has a mission, and waving a staff you had not seen before (where did he hide a staff?) he charges the feral goblin. The light of the staff playing tricks. The feral creature merely smiles its perverse grin.
Taedric blinks at Abbas and the staff, then looks at the feral beast that seems to have grown stronger from his own strike...Perhaps it doesn't die all the same after all? He grimaces slightly, but notes the look of dedication on Abbas' face.
"Desna's luck serve you, Abbas," he says and wheels around, his keen eyes picking out new targets in the night. The hobgoblin is too far away to reach just yet, but I can run through that goblin on the way...
AC: 10, Touch 10, Flat-footed 9
CMD 13
Hit Points: 10/12
Location: b50 (via a double move)
Weapon Equipped: Lucerne Hammer +3 (1d10+1) {Reach, Brace}
Trumps:
AC 14/10/12; CMD 14 (18 vs. trip); Hit Points: 8/17
Mounted Combat (vs. first attack vs. Trumps):
|
|
Abbas tracks the movement of the feral goblin and shouts again and again to draw its attention. He intends to fight the monster preferably using the whitewood staff which fairly sings in his hands.
"Fight me in the name of the all the sons of Gorum, your cowardly stunted gobface!"
He watches to see if the beast chases Taedric or answers his call, then he will enter combat. Hopefully on his own terms (if the goblin charges him) in which case the staff is held horizontally from double blows, otherwise in a large overhand chop on the charge (if it is within 60ft)
Abbas stats
|
|
The guard changes, Abbas to the feral one and Taedric, to the goblins, and there, the gnome performs like a champ.
The feral goblin watches him depart, and considers following him, but why, when there is a bellicose new challenger to be dispatched. The ground will be soaked with their blood, and after them many more it thinks! It decides to charge the yelling warrior swinging it's wicked morning star as it goes. In its haste it misses, but it seems unconcerned. Next round or the next one you die, and you will die his eyes say. Of some concern, as the creature charged Abbas, he felt as Taedric did before some sort of dizziness, but it passed quickly for them both.
The goblins start to break their fascination with the wild goblin as Trumps and Taedric charge them. The hobgoblin is barking at them and giving them orders. They are far more organized than goblins have any business being! 2 launch arrows at Trumps and another 2 shoot at Taedric, while 2 more shoot at Seneca. The last 3 drop their bows and draw sword and shield. One of the arrows misses Trumps and another set for certain destruction is avoided by the wolf in the nick of time, and somehow Taedric also manages to avoid arrows. Desna smiles on that gnome tonight! Seneca is missed by one arrow but unfortunately one finds him.
The hobgoblin is not content to let Taedric off so easily. He is an archer of some skill and he hits the gnome solidly.
The heroes are performing miracles on the battlefield and yet will it all be enough? There are just so many enemies! And why is that goblin running alongside the house instead of just fleeing? At least he is not shooting so he is the least of your worries. Addled brained goblins. Useless unless something smarter organizes them.
Pluchak sees Seneca dive out amongst the Goblins and he realizes two things. This man had used his last cure spell for the day on him. And until there was a greater threat out there, he would continue to take arrows. It was time for action. Shouting at the top of his lungs he rushes the archers.
Charge
Intimidate
Damage
HP 9
AC 11 (not counting charge)
As another arrow nicks Seneca he thinks, I'm going to die out here. He races back toward the barn and right into the teeth of the goblins, desperately hoping that he can make a difference.
This time he swings his pentagram toward the goblins. Summoning up a pretense of more courage than he really feels, he shouts, "Foul beasts, go back to the woods and leave this place. Our might is greater than yours!"
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 4/10
Weapon Equipped Crossbow, Light +1 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Channel Negative Energy 1/4 remain
|
|
Seneca continues his boldness. How can Asmodeus himself not smile on such a brazen display of confidence. The goblins are seared by the unholy energy.
The last goblin dog continues to flee.
Is it braver to face the horde by yourself, facing certain doom? Or braver to to join a companion as he faces doom so he will not stand alone? A great question for a fireside with a belly full of food. This is not likely even crossing Pluchaks mind as he races forward to aid Seneca. If only his aim was as true as his heart. Still the goblins likely have something there to think on. The ogre falling as it did and now these 2 racing into more than 5 times their number.
Aidan is relieved to find the result of his divination is negative, though Thurzhan is vexed by his injuries.
The feral goblin merely smiles wider as Abbas swings high and then low, and only hitting air.
Aidan rummages through the hut, hoping against sense there's a potion overlooked by the prior search.
His brother doth desperately need it, and his comrades do desperately need the aid of the big cat.
|
|
Abbas has the beast's attention now. He stops the flashy fighting and concentrates on finding the monsters weaknesses in combat.
It's swinging too far, leaving the armpit exposed. Need to duck and take that target. Then hit the back of his kneecap as I dip under the return swing.
He watches for the rhythm of the goblin's attacks then prepares his strikes for the next attack.
AC: 10, Touch 10, Flat-footed 9
CMD 13
Hit Points: 6/12
Location: j48
Weapon Equipped: Lucerne Hammer +3 (1d10+1) {Reach, Brace}
Trumps:
AC 14/10/12; CMD 14 (18 vs. trip); Hit Points: 8/17
Mounted Combat (vs. first attack vs. Trumps):
Taedric smiles as he drives another goblin down, but then winces as he's struck by an arrow. I can't take many more shots like that one.. His sharp eyes scan and see the source of the attack, and he allows himself a cruel smile, Indeed, we are coming for you... and now it's our turn...
Pluchak let out a roar of approval as the gnome charges through the battlefield and claims more blood of the aggressors. But he focuses his mind back on the goblin in front of him waiting for a false move so that he can skewer him.
|
|
Taedric pulls out the hit he needs at the right moment... again! The hobgoblin is stunned, and nearly broken in two from the force of the blow.
With the heroes converging, the goblins start to panic. Some of them are boxed on 2 sides, and others are more concerned with the hit the hobgoblin took. And thus the rout begins.
4 of the goblins hold their ground. Distance from the heroes helps in promoting bravery apparently. They pause to look for direction from the hobgoblin. They are the least of his concern as he does a full withdrawal and seeks to live to fight again another day.
But what is it they say? Every silver lining has a cloud? Because here come the shock troops of this operation. While shock troops generally come first no one ever accused goblins of being master tacticians. Indeed, the stealthy advance is given away by their own member, the last goblin from the cart, cheers and hoots as the spider mounted goblins advance on Aidan and Thurzhan in the cabin. vile purple liquid falls from the spiders mandibles.
Seneca dashes to the west. I hope they don't notice me below the cart and herbalist's well and I can slip in behind them.
AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 (Running eliminates his Dex and Dodge bonuses)
hp 4/10
Weapon Equipped Crossbow, Light +1 (1d8/19-20/x2)
Channel Negative Energy 1/4 remain
Pluchak suddenly finds himself alone in a field with a whole lot of goblin archers. The goblins do a strategic retreat, and Pluchak is a little taken aback, expecting them to be braver than that. But not one to not take an opportunity, he decides to get back to the cottage. He came over to the door next to the injured cat and set his spear for the inevitable charge.
Aidan motions for his brother to stay put, and races out of the cottage towards the near cart, sliding to a stop underneath the low contraption. Though he detests the vehicles of man, this one would serve him well as cover from the attacks he would undoubtedly face. He grips his sling with white knuckles, placing a single, gray stone into the pouch, and hoping his comrades can hold their own on the other front.
The cat waits impatiently in the cottage, licking his wounds and growling deeply.
|
|
I remember fighting the bandit chief with his two daggers. The way he ducked and weaved as his men cheered. All for an officer's body. He lay there next to me and he was brave. Did not deserve to die. The chief cut me twice until I worked out his dance. Never standing still. Always ducking left then right. Always making the fight last longer. But once I hit him the laughing stopped. He expected to toy with me. He didn't. I broke his neck. No blood. Never any blood. Thank all the gods that the death gave them all pause. So that I could take his daggers as trophies and haul the officer away.