Curious about the wooden trinket, the collie carefully takes it up into his teeth and pulls its cord free of the slain goblin's neck. The wooden amulet comes free of the torn torso. Taran cocks his head, pricks his velvet ears, and has a look at the necklace. Knowledge (religion) 23. After a moment, the collie recalls a tidbit he'd read last year in a book on religious lore and recognizes the amulet's carved misfigurements as a totem shaped after the grotesque harbinger of misshapen births and nightmares--Lamashtu. Not a Goddess a pathetic goblin might worship.
Smelling the hated stench of live goblins in the air, the collie bares his teeth and peers intently around the square. Kell's hackles rise instinctively as he spots one lurking in the shadowed interior of the cathedral. The guard dog begins loping towards the cathedral doors.
Surprise round
Taran moves 20-ft. from Q13 to T13 as its standard action.
Letting loose a series of thunderous barks, the charging dog clears the doors of the cathedral to lunge towards the skulking interloper with teeth bared.
Round 1
Taran charges 40-ft. from T13 to CC12 as a full round action, attacking the goblin at CC11; bite +6 (1d6+4); –2 penalty to AC. Barking as a free action.
"There's another one in the cathedral!" he whispers, notching an arrow.
"And another by the orange merchant," whispers Elyra in reply, tight-lipped. "Probably a lot more of them about. They're setting an ambush."
The sight of the charging dog leaves Elyra reluctantly in favor of the animal. "Come one," She urges. "Move to the wagon -- We have to protect the priest and the injured woman."
She moves with Tac to the wagon.
OOC: Not sure if Tac's speaking before counted as his move. If it did, Elyra will wait with him during her surprise round and if he does go to the wagon, will go with him. If Tac can move in the surprise round and goes to the wagon, she will go with him. If he moves and does not go to the wagon, she will probably still follow him but I will have to write another action.
If she makes it to the wagon before the regular round, her action will be to ready a melee attack against any goblin who comes in reach, as she does not have her bow with her.
"And another by the orange merchant," whispers Elyra in reply, tight-lipped. "Probably a lot more of them about. They're setting an ambush."
The sight of the charging dog leaves Elyra reluctantly in favor of the animal. "Come one," She urges. "Move to the wagon -- We have to protect the priest and the injured woman."
She moves with Tac to the wagon.
Tac's eyes widen as his cousin reveals the goblins are on multiple sides. He bites his lip and reconsiders his position in the wide open. As she moves to the wagon, so does he, eyes scanning the area for any other goblins yet unseen.
Smelling the hated stench of live goblins in the air, the collie bares his teeth and peers intently around the square. Kell's hackles rise instinctively as he spots one goblin lurking in the shadowed interior of the cathedral. The guard dog begins loping towards the cathedral doors, loosing a series of thunderous barks, the charging dog clears the doors of the cathedral to lunge towards the skulking interloper with teeth bared.
Tac nudges his cousin Elyra even as he draws his bow. "There's another one in the cathedral!" Tac whispers, notching an arrow. Tight-lipped, Elyra whispers a reply to Tac, "And another by the orange merchant. Probably a lot more of them about. They're setting an ambush."
The sight of the charging dog leaves Elyra reluctantly in favor of the animal. "Come one," She urges. "Move to the wagon -- We have to protect the priest and the injured woman." Tac's eyes widen as his cousin reveals the goblins may be on multiple sides. Biting his lip, Tac reconsiders his position in the wide open and follows Elyra to the wagon--eyes scanning the area for any other goblins yet unseen.
When Kell looses his voluminous volley of barks, the goblin spotted by Tac and Taran skulking just inside the Cathedral double doors ducks inside out of sight. A low gurgling hiss, audible to everyone in the festival square, oozes from the orange stall. A goblin head pokes out of the side of the orange stall and croaks a strange challenging bark back at Kell. Upon sight of the new interloper, the few remaining townsfolk in the square cry out in terror and bolt for freedom.
Status
Taran is currently in T13 and charging the double doors of the Cathedral. Elyra and Tac have moved to a position beside the wagon, very close to Sivan and Grokk. Elyra stands in Y8. Tac is in Z8. Talashia is still with the young girl in the southwestern corner of the festival square. Taran and Tac have spotted one goblin inside the Cathedral. Elyra has spotted one goblin at the orange merchant's stall and, thanks to Tac, is aware of the location of a second goblin inside the Cathedral. Everyone has spotted the goblin at the orange merchant's stall.
More! Should have known. "Protect her!" the half-orc yells at the man who called for his aid. With a roar, Grokk sprints toward the goblin by the Orange Merchant. "Leave these people alone!" he cries as his hammer swings down in a powerful arc aimed at the goblin's head.
OOC
Shield of Faith dropped for healing spell.
Charge attack: +4, 1d8+2/20/x3, AC: 13
As the goblin runs into the cathedral ducks out of sight and the one at the stall makes itself known, Tac tries to switch targets.
"Sandstone! Come here, boy!" he calls in vain, concerned that the dog will meet the same fate as the other stray if it enters the cathedral alone.
But, as he pulls back his bowstring...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merlin's Shadow
More! Should have known. "Protect her!" the half-orc yells at the man who called for his aid. With a roar, Grokk sprints toward the goblin by the Orange Merchant. "Leave these people alone!" he cries as his hammer swings down in a powerful arc aimed at the goblin's head.
"No, but ... arrow ... blocked shot!" Tac stammers.
As he drops his bow, the young architect draws his rapier again, hustling after the half-orc. "It worked before, right?" he calls to his cousin, though the doubt in his tone is evident.
"No, but ... arrow ... blocked shot!" Tac stammers.
As he drops his bow, the young architect draws his rapier again, hustling after the half-orc. "It worked before, right?" he calls to his cousin, though the doubt in his tone is evident.
At the cries from people closer to the cathedral, Talashia looks away from the little girl and narrows her eyes suspiciously. She doesn't see anything wrong, but there's definitely agitation brewing.
"Stay behind me," she instructs the child. "I'll keep you safe if anything happens."
Having spotted the goblin cowering by the orange merchant's stall, Sivan readies the long length of his glaive and assumes a defensive posture in order to protect his unconscious ward by the wagon. Perception +0. Despite hearing the cackling rankle of the goblin by the orange merchant's stall, Sivan spots no other goblins lurking at hand.
Letting loose a series of thunderous barks, the charging rough collie clears the doors of the cathedral to lunge with teeth bard toward the skulking interloper. The inside of the Cathedral isn't as dark as it would appear to be when viewed from the bright late afternoon sun outside; the candles just inside the small foyer and those of the alter area past the nave resonate with dim flickering wan light. Taran easily sights the goblin just to the left of the double doors and lunges for an attack. Bite +6. Grabbing the wretched goblin by the throat, Taran skirts the creature's reeking studded leather armor and yanks. Hard. A mouthful of quivering wart-covered skin and flesh rip free of the goblin's throat and blood pours from the wound, all over the Cathedral floor and walls as Taran deals 5 points of damage. Ere the goblin has even a chance to counter Taran's attack, the creature falls dead to the cold stone floor of the temple.
The pointed tip of her longsword at the ready, Elyra treads catlike forward toward the orange merchant's stall some 30 feet, raising her blade high and to the side as she steps. Longsword +2. The goblin atop the stall hisses at Elyra's approach and ducks Elyra's swing. The small creature sits perched atop the counter of the stall and grins at Elyra's miss, taunting her and croaking in glory.
From the wagon, Grokk yells, "Protect her!" yells at the man who called for aid for the unconscious woman. With a roar, Grokk sprints toward the goblin by the orange merchant, taking care to aim his movement for the rear of the stall in order to cut off any potential retreat by the runty goblin. "Leave these people alone!" the half-orc cries as his hammer swings down in a powerful arc aimed at the goblin's head. Warhammer charge +6 (moved 40 ft to R4, flanking w/ Elyra). The warmhammer rains down upon the goblin's head and continues right through the rickety wooden stall, sending a shower of wood splinters into the air as Grokk deals 8 points of damage and pulps a second goblin.
As the goblin in the cathedral ducks out of sight and the one at the stall makes itself known, Tac tries to switch targets. "Sandstone! Come here, boy!" Tac calls in vain, concerned that the dog will meet the same fate as the other stray if it enters the cathedral alone. But, as Tac pulls back his bowstring... "No, but ... arrow ... blocked shot!" Tac stammers as the rough collie darts inside the Cathedral's open doors and the horrible sound of rending flesh resonates from the church foyer. Dropping his bow, the young architect re-draws his rapier, hustling after the half-orc. "It worked before, right?" he calls to his cousin. Seeing the half-orc split the skull of the goblin atop the merchant's stall, Tac comes to a rest five feet from Elyra, in square S7.
At the cries from people closer to the cathedral, Talashia looks away from the little girl and narrows her eyes suspiciously. Talashia spots one goblin atop a merchant's stall on the north side of the square but also witnesses a hulking half-orc squish the goblin with a warhammer as a woman and young man aid. Motioning to the child, Talashia instructs the girl, "Stay behind me. I'll keep you safe if anything happens."
A loud boom followed by a towering red blaze of fire leaps to the sky behind a row of thatched-roof houses on the southern edge of the square. Suddenly, goblin song breaks out in rhythmic cant.
Judging by the flames that leap skyward, a coven of goblins seems to have found and lit the massive bonfire the sheriff was planning to light in the evening hours of the festival.
Status
Grokk in R4. Elyra in R6. Tac in S7. Sivan in Y6. Kell in cc12. Talashia in L17. Bonfire behind row of houses on southern edge of square. Goblin inside Cathedral, dropped. Goblin atop Merchant Stall, dropped. Voices of three more goblins clearly audible to all, coming from direction of bonfire.
His blood still red hot, the half-orc sprints toward the fire and the debased sounds of the goblins chanting. How many more are there? Thinking that there might be too many to fight now, Grokk looks around the area of the fire, seeing if there is anyone who needs assistance getting out. If it looks like everyone is either out of the way or being helped by someone else, he will return to smashing in goblin skulls.
The vicious collie wastes no time on the slain foe at its feet. Upset at the idea that there are goblins running rampant through the sacred cathedral, the guard dog peers intently around the nave of the structure while sniffing at the air.
OOC
Perception +4. Assuming there are no further goblins in the cathedral, Kell will turn and run out the doors.
Talashia looked towards the chanting and clamped her mouth down against an expletive. She couldn't very well run off and fight goblins, leaving a little girl behind...but she couldn't in conscience bring the girl with her into danger either.
"Lets get you home," she suggests to the child. "Can you point me to where you live, and I'll walk with you there. Maybe your mom couldn't find you and went home to wait for you."
Of course, that was unlikely, Talashia thought. It was much more likely that the mother didn't come for her child because she was one of the victims...but she wasn't going to tell this moppet that.
Keeping a brisk walk, Siven sets off to the south, toward the din of goblin yabbering and the boom of fire. From inside the dim Cathedral, the viscious collie wastes no time on the slain foe at its feet. Upset at the idea that there are goblins running rampant through the sacred cathedral, the guard dog peers intently around the nave of the structure while sniffing at the air. The smell of goblins lingers in the area but is fainter and mixed with blood. Goblin song south of the temple and the roar of fire draw Taran forward in a run through the double doors. Elyra watches the yellow-haired man charge off toward the goblins. Tac is already showing twitches of wanting to head that way, she realizes, and so Elrya flicks the tip of her blade into defensive posture and strides south.
His blood still red hot, the half-orc sprints toward the fire and the debased sounds of the goblins chanting. How many more are there? Thinking that there might be too many to fight now, Grokk looks keeps an eye south to see if there is anyone who needs assistance getting out. Spotting no one, save for the lone peep of a frightened old fishwife through her sitting room curtains, Grokk steadily trots down the southern byway. As soon as Grokk leaves the Festival Square and rounds the cottage nearest the southern byway, he spots two small goblins dancing and hooting on opposite sides of a 20-foot wide bonfire that is partially lit on its farthest side. Somewhere behind the bonfire obstructing his view, a third goblin voice--higher pitched--shrieks a hideous song.
Tac groans as the bonfire and chanting begin. "I think I officially understand why you hate goblins so much, El," Tac says, running toward the source of the chanting. Striding swiftly toward the south, Tac strides to within 10 feet of Elyra.
Talashia looked towards the chanting and clamped her mouth down against an expletive. She couldn't very well run off and fight goblins, leaving a little girl behind...but she couldn't in conscience bring the girl with her into danger either. "Lets get you home," she suggests to the child. "Can you point me to where you live, and I'll walk with you there. Maybe your mom couldn't find you and went home to wait for you." Of course, that was unlikely, Talashia thought. It was much more likely that the mother didn't come for her child because she was one of the victims...but she wasn't going to tell this moppet that. The girl child nods at Talashia's wisdom and points west. "Down the hill a bit, close to the water." The crackle of fire and sound of goblin song from the south make the child jump, and a small brown hand is placed firmly in Talashia's. "C'mon." The child pulls on Talashia's hand to take her away from the cruel sounds of goblin mischief.
Status: Sivan S11. Taran O18. Elyra J14. Grokk H3 (new map). Tac M15. Talashia heading west to return girl child home.
Although barking usually serves to scares trespasser away, the running collie knows that it usually has the opposite effect on goblins; drawing them inexorably towards him due to their unreasoning hatred of his kind. With that in mind, Sandstone begins to bark thunderously as he turns southward on the warpath towards the bonfire.
OOC: Continuing to run to G-1 (new map) as a full round run action. Barking as a free action.
A loud boom followed by a towering red blaze of fire leaps to the sky behind a row of thatched-roof houses on the southern edge of the square. Suddenly, goblin song breaks out in rhythmic cant. 
His blood still red hot, the half-orc sprints toward the fire and the debased sounds of the goblins chanting. How many more are there? Thinking that there might be too many to fight now, Grokk looks keeps an eye south to see if there is anyone who needs assistance getting out. Spotting no one, save for the lone peep of a frightened old fishwife through her sitting room curtains, Grokk steadily trots down the southern byway. As soon as Grokk leaves the Festival Square and rounds the cottage nearest the southern byway, he spots two small goblins dancing and hooting on opposite sides of a 20-foot wide bonfire that is partially lit on its farthest side. Somewhere behind the bonfire obstructing his view, a third goblin voice--higher pitched--shrieks a hideous song.
Linear Mode
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