(003) Heading for Goblintown

[bobk2323]

Nearer, and to your south east is a blot of black and brown with tendrils of smoke rising from it. This must be Goblintown. It is so far away you can pick out no features, just a brown and black blot straddling the brown line which is the road you are following.

It should be downhill almost all the way from here. However, as the road probably winds back and forth down the ridge and you can see it continues to wind along the grasslands below you can see that it is going to take a couple of days travel to make it to Goblintown and probably another 3 or 4 after than to make it across the grasslands to the coast of Els Meer.

Callista regards the scene from the top of the ridge with her usual lack of emotional verve, although she finds the sight of even an unpleasant-looking place such as Goblintown inwardly gratifying. Thus, with thoughts of the opportunity to sleep in an actual bed in her near future, Callista continues on, looking disinterested, yet alert for any possible threats.

--
Bob K.

[ateno]

Darrain pushes his blanket aside and picks up his paper and sketches goblintown walls and surrounding area, looking for herds of animals and close by interesting geological features.

[Eris]

Darrain pushes his blanket aside and picks up his paper and sketches goblintown walls and surrounding area, looking for herds of animals and close by interesting geological features.

There are several large herds of animals grazing near Goblintown. From this distance and height they look like little white dots.

The party begins to move again, going over the crest and starting down the ridge on the other side. To the left and right are jagged ridges and peaks, this pass is at least 200 feet below the tallest ridges or peaks on either side of it.

[bruce.desertrat]

Darrain pushes his blanket aside and picks up his paper and sketches goblintown walls and surrounding area, looking for herds of animals and close by interesting geological features.

There are several large herds of animals grazing near Goblintown. From this distance and height they look like little white dots.

The party begins to move again, going over the crest and starting down the ridge on the other side. To the left and right are jagged ridges and peaks, this pass is at least 200 feet below the tallest ridges or peaks on either side of it.

Valerin has his bow at the ready, and his head on a swivel for any movement to the sides...this is an obvious chokepoint for an ambush.

[joertexas]

Darrain pushes his blanket aside and picks up his paper and sketches goblintown walls and surrounding area, looking for herds of animals and close by interesting geological features.

There are several large herds of animals grazing near Goblintown. From this distance and height they look like little white dots.

The party begins to move again, going over the crest and starting down the ridge on the other side. To the left and right are jagged ridges and peaks, this pass is at least 200 feet below the tallest ridges or peaks on either side of it.

Eodrien picks up her heavy crossbow and loads a bolt in the carrier tray.

[terrymixon]

Darrain pushes his blanket aside and picks up his paper and sketches goblintown walls and surrounding area, looking for herds of animals and close by interesting geological features.

There are several large herds of animals grazing near Goblintown. From this distance and height they look like little white dots.

The party begins to move again, going over the crest and starting down the ridge on the other side. To the left and right are jagged ridges and peaks, this pass is at least 200 feet below the tallest ridges or peaks on either side of it.

Des follows his ranged combat friends at an easy gait.

[bobk2323]

Des follows his ranged combat friends at an easy gait.

Not much of a ranged combatant either, Callista just takes a moment to make sure that her trusty morningstar is within easy reach, and that she's mentally ready to cast her modest amount of healing magic if it becomes necessary.

--
Bob K.

[Eris]

The party winds down the ridge following the trail. The environment becomes much more dry and warmer as the sun comes out. You soon lose sight of the grasslands, the town, and the herds of animals out on the grasslands as your world becomes constrained by rocks and ridges around you. There are very rocky boulder fields and cliffs bordering the trail as well as steep drop offs to one side or the other. The trail switches back and forth so much that you travel almost all day and don't feel like you have gone all that far.

Kazan's ears perk up and the hair on his ruff starts to rise. He hears or smells something ahead that has him worked up.

Suddenly, you hear braying and from around a tight curve in the trail you see a pair of donkeys galloping toward you! The donkeys have packs on their backs and leads that are flapping from their harnesses as they gallop along. As the donkeys perceive your wagon train they slow down, but are still moving in a panicked, very upset, way. Their nostrils are flaring, their long expressive ears are laid back, and their eyes are wide and darting from side to side.

[joertexas]

Suddenly, you hear braying and from around a tight curve in the trail you see a pair of donkeys galloping toward you! The donkeys have packs on their backs and leads that are flapping from their harnesses as they gallop along. As the donkeys perceive your wagon train they slow down, but are still moving in a panicked, very upset, way. Their nostrils are flaring, their long expressive ears are laid back, and their eyes are wide and darting from side to side.

Eodrien moves forward to where Des is standing. "I think that's our signal to act. Watch the cliff walls." She removes the cover from her axe blade, stows it, and hefts her heavy crossbow on it's sling. She has only one shot with the heavy weapon, and then she will have to use her axe.

[ateno]

Would be a smart group to send the donkeys like this and then attack from the side. Kazan, Stay. Darian look at each side.

"Hey trail boss, it might be best we move ahead of the train instead of blunder into the end of a mabush.

Darian

[Eris]

Would be a smart group to send the donkeys like this and then attack from the side. Kazan, Stay. Darian look at each side.

"Hey trail boss, it might be best we move ahead of the train instead of blunder into the end of a mabush.

Darian

"Yes, your group, move up and see what is going on. We will remain here and guard the caravan." says the Caravan Master as he and a couple of the drivers capture the donkey's leads and bring them to a nervous stop.

On the left side of the trail the land falls off quickly, no ambush coming that way, but it appears to rise back up to a plateau as the trail winds the corner.to the right. On the right side of the trail is a cliff that rises up 30 feet or more, but it looks like that cliff retreats sharply ahead, probably a boulder field where the cliff face has fallen in the past. You will learn more as you go around the corner.

OOC: The trail is wide enough for 3 people abreast. Give me your order of march as you go forward and around the corner in the trail and how each of you is armored and armed.

[bruce.desertrat]

Would be a smart group to send the donkeys like this and then attack from the side. Kazan, Stay. Darian look at each side.

"Hey trail boss, it might be best we move ahead of the train instead of blunder into the end of a mabush.

Darian

"Yes, your group, move up and see what is going on. We will remain here and guard the caravan." says the Caravan Master as he and a couple of the drivers capture the donkey's leads and bring them to a nervous stop.

On the left side of the trail the land falls off quickly, no ambush coming that way, but it appears to rise back up to a plateau as the trail winds the corner.to the right. On the right side of the trail is a cliff that rises up 30 feet or more, but it looks like that cliff retreats sharply ahead, probably a boulder field where the cliff face has fallen in the past. You will learn more as you go around the corner.

OOC: The trail is wide enough for 3 people abreast. Give me your order of march as you go forward and around the corner in the trail and how each of you is armored and armed.

Valerin will take left side behind the cannon fodder armored fighters he's armed with his bow, dagger and scimitar. His intent is to get into the boulder field with his greater maneuverability and be able to shoot at anyone hiding there to attack us; or if they're in the path use the height advantage to attack them.

[ateno]

Darian with a dart ready and Kazan will stay on the opposite side following the group.

[Darithe]

Magdal remains close to Eodrien moving forward leaving the mules to be dealt with by others. She nocks an arrow and follows the warrior woman's lead.

[terrymixon]

Would be a smart group to send the donkeys like this and then attack from the side. Kazan, Stay. Darian look at each side.

"Hey trail boss, it might be best we move ahead of the train instead of blunder into the end of a mabush.

Darian

"Yes, your group, move up and see what is going on. We will remain here and guard the caravan." says the Caravan Master as he and a couple of the drivers capture the donkey's leads and bring them to a nervous stop.

On the left side of the trail the land falls off quickly, no ambush coming that way, but it appears to rise back up to a plateau as the trail winds the corner.to the right. On the right side of the trail is a cliff that rises up 30 feet or more, but it looks like that cliff retreats sharply ahead, probably a boulder field where the cliff face has fallen in the past. You will learn more as you go around the corner.

OOC: The trail is wide enough for 3 people abreast. Give me your order of march as you go forward and around the corner in the trail and how each of you is armored and armed.

Valerin will take left side behind the cannon fodder armored fighters he's armed with his bow, dagger and scimitar. His intent is to get into the boulder field with his greater maneuverability and be able to shoot at anyone hiding there to attack us; or if they're in the path use the height advantage to attack them.

Unless told otherwise, Des will unsling his axe and move forward in the lead, watching everything warily.

[joertexas]

Unless told otherwise, Des will unsling his axe and move forward in the lead, watching everything warily.

Eodrien follows a step behind and to his left, her crossbow held at the ready.

JR

[Eris]

Let's get marching order set. This is what I think we have...

Val.............Des....................Frank <---NPC

Eodrien.......Magdal.................???????

??????..........???????...................Darian/Kazan

PC's who haven't responded as to location in the marching order:
Callista,
Jameson (<--might have lost his player)

I'll give BobK and NJWillian a little bit of time to respond before things get really serious. However, it won't hurt for you to march to the bend in the road and see what's laid out there...

The party moves forward cautiously, to the bend in the trail to the right and pauses.

Ahead the trail drops about 30 feet to a fairly flat area. To the left(north) and right(south) of the trail are boulder fields. Crossing the trail you are on (you are heading straight east at the moment) is another trail running north and south. Beyond the boulder fields to the left and right are notches in the ridges where the cross trail disappears. From your 30 foot height advantage you can see down into the boulder fields clearly.

Lying on the main trail you see a donkey with an arrow in its side and 6 green skinned creatures...Goblins. The donkey appears to be alive, the Goblins do not.

To the left (north) are, at least, a dozen Goblins...maybe more. There are also five brown skinned Hobgoblins. The Hobgoblins have bows and are occasionally shooting arrows across to the other side of the trail. The Goblins all have swords, but are trying to keep hidden behind rocks as they are being pelting with stones.

To the right (south) is a group of four small men...Halflings you think. One is lying behind a boulder with an arrow in his chest. Two of the Halflings are using slings to rapidly launch stones across the trail at the hiding Goblins. The fourth is popping up from behind a boulder and pointing his finger at the other side...a flash of energy leaps from his finger and slams into boulders with a loud "POWS" and "PINGS" as bits of rock fly off. Occasionally, an energy missile will hit a Goblin with a softer "THUNK!" knocking the monster back.

The energy missiles and sling stones are missing more often than they hit, but even the misses are making the Goblins keep their heads down, for now. The Hobgoblins are getting off arrows occasionally, but they too are mostly staying under cover.

Although, for the moment the stones and...?Magic Missiles?...appear to be keeping the Goblins at bay that won't last forever! As the party watches, the Goblins are being harangued by one of the Hobgoblins. It looks like he is trying to get them riled up for a charge. Surely, if the Goblins and Hobgoblins charge, all together, they will overwhelm the Halflings!

[terrymixon]

Let's get marching order set. This is what I think we have...

Val.............Des....................Frank <---NPC

Eodrien.......Magdal.................???????

??????..........???????...................Darian/Kazan

PC's who haven't responded as to location in the marching order:
Callista,
Jameson (<--might have lost his player)

I'll give BobK and NJWillian a little bit of time to respond before things get really serious. However, it won't hurt for you to march to the bend in the road and see what's laid out there...

The party moves forward cautiously, to the bend in the trail to the right and pauses.

Ahead the trail drops about 30 feet to a fairly flat area. To the left(north) and right(south) of the trail are boulder fields. Crossing the trail you are on (you are heading straight east at the moment) is another trail running north and south. Beyond the boulder fields to the left and right are notches in the ridges where the cross trail disappears. From your 30 foot height advantage you can see down into the boulder fields clearly.

Lying on the main trail you see a donkey with an arrow in its side and 6 green skinned creatures...Goblins. The donkey appears to be alive, the Goblins do not.

To the left (north) are, at least, a dozen Goblins...maybe more. There are also five brown skinned Hobgoblins. The Hobgoblins have bows and are occasionally shooting arrows across to the other side of the trail. The Goblins all have swords, but are trying to keep hidden behind rocks as they are being pelting with stones.

To the right (south) is a group of four small men...Halflings you think. One is lying behind a boulder with an arrow in his chest. Two of the Halflings are using slings to rapidly launch stones across the trail at the hiding Goblins. The fourth is popping up from behind a boulder and pointing his finger at the other side...a flash of energy leaps from his finger and slams into boulders with a loud "POWS" and "PINGS" as bits of rock fly off. Occasionally, an energy missile will hit a Goblin with a softer "THUNK!" knocking the monster back.

The energy missiles and sling stones are missing more often than they hit, but even the misses are making the Goblins keep their heads down, for now. The Hobgoblins are getting off arrows occasionally, but they too are mostly staying under cover.

Although, for the moment the stones and...?Magic Missiles?...appear to be keeping the Goblins at bay that won't last forever! As the party watches, the Goblins are being harangued by one of the Hobgoblins. It looks like he is trying to get them riled up for a charge. Surely, if the Goblins and Hobgoblins charge, all together, they will overwhelm the Halflings!

OOC: So, are some close enough for a melee ambush? We’re above them, I think, but I’m fuzzy on distance and ease of access.

[bobk2323]

Let's get marching order set. This is what I think we have...

Val.............Des....................Frank <---NPC

Eodrien.......Magdal.................???????

??????..........???????...................Darian/Kazan

PC's who haven't responded as to location in the marching order:
Callista,
Jameson (<--might have lost his player)

I guess Callista would take the position to the right of Magdal.

--
Bob K.

[ateno]

Seeing how the warriors are lining up and the foes below Darin will move so he is behind Eodrien, then tap her on the shoulder so she knows I and Kazan are here. Then privately to Eodrien, "If you shoot you crossbow and still have range, you can use my light crossbow, its already primed, just call my name and I will hand it to you. It's owned by the caravan, so don't lose it. Chuckle."

Darian resheaths his wardart.

Then as he warriors advance he will say "I would like to get close enough to cast my sleep concentrated on the hobgoblins, so do not dismay, I will support you."