Initiative
Paladin: 6 + 2 = 8
Goblins 10 & 11: 6
Doughbert: 4 + 1 = 5
Nivek: 5
Hiker: 3 + 1 = 4
Tannen: 4
Goblins 1 & 5: 4
Goblin 9 &12: 3
Karl: 2
Goblin: 3 & 6: 2
Goblin 13: 1
Paladin attempts to arc an arrow over Nivek at the goblins. However, it’s not easy given the low trajectory required and the fact that the dwarf is standing right in front of him, partially blocking Paladin’s view [
roll: 5 + 1 (attack bonus) + 2 (dexterity) + 1 (halfling) + 1 (short range) - 5 (general difficulty of trying to ‘arc’ over Nivek) = 5: miss]. There’s a chance that the arrow might instead catch Nivek on the way through [
roll: 9 + 1 (attack bonus) + 2 (dexterity) + 1 (halfling) + 1 (short range) + 2 (‘attacking’ Nivek from behind) = 16: hit! for 6 damage]. Paladin’s arrow embeds itself in Nivek’s back, and the dwarf falls forward to the ground bleeding.
Cackling at the dwarf’s misfortune, Goblin 10 strides forward, trampling over Nivek to attack Paladin. It thrusts its short sword into the halfling's side for 5 damage. Paladin, having felled his ‘shield’, finds himself on the wrong end of a goblin’s sword and he also crumples to the ground.
Goblin 11 moves forward to engage Tannen. However, its swipe is pathetic and Tannen easily parries it.
From where he’s currently standing, behind Karl and Tannen, Doughbert can’t get a clear aim with his oil flask. Learning from Paladin’s experiences, he decides and wait and see whether a better opportunity presents itself.
Hiker, increasingly bewildered at the scene unfolding before him, keeps things simple and attempts to strike Goblin 10 with his hammer [
roll: natural 20!!! for 5 damage]. It's a devastating blow that smashes the goblin’s skull.
Tannen is now engaged with Goblin 11, so his plan to retreat will have to be a fighting withdrawal. He can’t withdraw through Karl, and so backs off to the north-west, trying to avoid treading on Nivek and Doughbert. The goblin follows as Tannen attacks it with his longsword
[roll: 12 + 1 (attack bonus) + 2 (strength) = 15: hit! for 8 + 2 (strength) = 10 damage]. Another goblin is slain.
With Tannen out of the way, Doughbert takes his opportunity. Having lit his flask of oil from Tannen’s torch, he hurls it around the corner towards Goblin 1. [
roll: 7 + 1 (attack bonus) + 1 (dexterity) + 1 (halfling) = 10: miss! ]. Rather than hitting the intended goblin, it falls just short, landing in one of the pools of oil and setting both pools on fire. Fiery splashes are sent towards Goblins 1, 5 and 12. Goblins 1 and 5 both dodge successfully, but Goblin 12 is hit, albeit not fatally.
With the goblins trapped behind Doughbert’s wall of fire, Karl is the only one who can still meaningfully act this round (the goblins have no missile weapons and are understandably reluctant to run through the fire). Karl pulls his handaxe from his belt and hurls it at the injured Goblin 12 [
roll: 18 + 1 (attack bonus) = 19: hit! for 6 damage]. Goblin 12 finally falls.
With the goblins reduced to less than half their original number, they weigh up their options [
rolls]. From the other side of the flames, you sense their will to fight is broken, and they begin to turn as if to flee up the north-easterly passage.
Updated tactical map at:
https://sites.google.com/site/marketstonecampaign/. Again, I’ve removed the dead bodies for clarity.
Doughbert: HP 3/5. No '0' level spells remaining today.
Hiker: HP 6/9.
Karl: HP 7/8.
Nivek: HP -1/7. Bleeding. No ‘0’ level spells remaining today.
Paladin: HP -1/4. Bleeding.
Tannen: HP 6/9.
5 pm, 27th day of Harvestide.