Season 1 - Episode 4: The Goblin Caves

[Birthright]

Tannen will wait for the volley of missiles from Hiker, Paladin and Doughbert before moving in swiftly with his sword and shield at the ready to attack the nearest goblin from behind.

[Eevans]

Hiker waits just a moment and watched as Nivek sidled between the goblins and any retreat into the cave. At this point he aimed VERY carefully. His aim has not been great of late so he took that extra time to really concentrate, you could tell because his tongue was firmly between his teeth and sticking out in concentration.

HIKER FIRES AN ARROW at a goblin! (DM roll at your convenience)

[Iain_IF]

Paladin fires one of the goblin arrows at the rearmost goblin.

[actingkeith]

Karl waits for Sergeant Tannen and follows him into combat.

[JoeCarr28]

Surprise Round

Initiative
Paladin: 5 + 2 (dexterity) + 1 (halfling) = 8.
Tannen: 6.
Hiker: 3 + 1 (dexterity) = 4.
Karl: 4.
Nivek: 4.
Doughbert: 1 + 1 (dexterity) + 1 (halfling) = 3.

As usual, Paladin is the first to react. Goblin 1 is about 30' away from Paladin's tree, which is short range for his bow [ 4 + 1 (attack bonus) + 2 (dexterity) + 1 (halfling) + 1 (short range) = 9: miss]. The arrow fails to find its mark and crashes into the wall of the entrance tunnel behind, breaking in the process.

[I’ll assume the main ambushers will delay their actions until the volley of missiles is complete].

Hiker steps out from behind Nivek to give himself a clear shot at the goblins. He also targets Goblin 1 and again is well within short range [17 + 1 (attack bonus) + 1 (dexterity) + 1 (short range) = 20: hit! for 4 damage]. Hiker’s arrow finds its mark in the unprotected neck of the goblin, killing it instantly.

Goblin 2 is beyond the range of Doughbert’s dagger, so Tannen steps up and attempts to finish the job with his longsword. He can’t get behind the goblin; rather he attacks the goblin’s left flank [natural 20! for 2 + 2 (strength) = 4 damage]. The demise of Goblin 2 is similarly swift.

It would appear that only these two goblins were sent out in search of something tasty for dinner (they weren't expecting the rooster to put up such a fight!). From what you have heard outside the cave, you would estimate that there are at least a further two somewhere just inside (within about ten yards). You can’t be certain whether or not they would have heard the ambush on their colleagues, although Paladin’s missed arrow, in particular, could have been a giveaway.

What will you do next?

[Updated tactical map available at https://sites.google.com/site/marketstonecampaign/]


Nivek: No ‘0’ level spells remaining today
Tannen: HP 6/9
3 pm, 27th day of Harvestide

[SmootRK]

Upon realizing our success with the first two goblins, Nivek moves to drag one of the bodies away from the front of the cave entrance. He motions that Tannen/Karl should do the same with the other goblin body. He does this quietly but quickly.

Once accomplished, he whispers towards the others, "we should try to draw out the others who are just inside"

[Birthright]

Tannen swiftly but quietly drags the lifeless, bloodied goblin corpse out of sight of the cave entrance. He then whispers so as to be just audible to NIvek and Hiker: "Do you speak the goblin Tongue? Tell them that there's a rooster each out here, but they need to be quick. Do your best to sound 'gobliny'..."

Tannen then withdraws hard back up against the rock face with sword at the ready! He then whispers to Karl: "Let's hope the other two are greedy little wretches.". Finally he signals to the halflings to ready more missiles.

OOC: Woot! A nat 20.

[actingkeith]

Tannen then whispers to Karl: "Let's hope the other two are greedy little wretches.". Finally he signals to the halflings to ready more missiles.

Karl nods and grunts, quietly, in the affirmative to Sergeant Tannen... hoping the goblins are as greedy and stupid as they are hated.

[Eevans]

Tannen then whispers so as to be just audible to NIvek and Hiker: "Do you speak the goblin Tongue? Tell them that there's a rooster each out here, but they need to be quick. Do your best to sound 'gobliny'..."

Hiker is pleased with his success, but shakes his head when asked about speaking goblin. Then he simply notes that everyone is going back to their spots, so he once again readies his bow to fire.

[SmootRK]

Once all are back in position (presumably quickly), Nivek barks out in Goblinese "Heya there are at least 3 more cocks out here... we going to eat well tonight. Get out here and help us catch em!!"

Considering he has never had a conversation with anyone in goblinese, Nivek hopes he sounds like a goblin and not some sort of foreigner speaking in odd accent.