[Completed] - Herrin Buttonhook/Goblin Forest - 1 Mar, 1 VC

[Keehnelf]

Given the fairly lax attitude of these goblins, it's no trouble for Herrin to get within sling range of the one on duty. Go ahead and give me an attack roll with damage and then we'll do first round's initiative.

[merias]

Herrin gives it his best shot...

[1d20] = 3+2 Herrin sling to-hit

Forgot to put the +2 inside the brackets, next time...

[Keehnelf]

Ouch, that's a terrible shot.

Herrin creeps closer, getting as near as he dares without alerting the goblin, his companions trailing some distance behind. He takes careful aim and waits for just the right moment, and as he goes to release the sling stone the goblin switches hands on his spear-shaft to rub at his irritated eyes once more. In the process, the wooden shaft tilts to a slightly different angle.

The precisely-directed sling stone caroms off the shaft near the goblin's head, and the resulting "thwack!" Resounds throughout the clearing. The goblin is immediately more alert. Herrin, go ahead and roll a D6 for your side's initiative!

[merias]

[1d6] = 2 Initiative

Someone else want to roll from now on?

[GTan_Baq]

Njord readies himself to charge the goblin.

When it's his turn, Njord will be attacking to subdue using the flat side of his axe.

[merias]

Herrin will stow his sling and ready his hammer, charging if his companions do so, but towards the spot he saw the one goblin disappear.

[Keehnelf]

Oof


PbP Forum code: Goblin initiative: [1d6] = 6

The goblin, despite his weariness clearly being well-trained, immediately gives a shout. "Attack! The manlings attack!" Without looking for the source of the attack, he immediately rushes under the tree's overhanging roots and disappears into the shadows.

[Keehnelf]

OK, let's do the following format for combat rounds from now on: party will roll initiative and declare actions, including attack and damage rolls as appropriate (I will use them if they turn out to be needed).

Once I have all party actions collected, I will reveal planned monster actions (pre-determined by me, including die rolls) and then roll initiative, after which I will make a narrative summary of the combat round based on who acts when and what happens.

I have sort-of actions for everyone except Zhym, but for the sake of clarity, please confirm what everyone will be doing for round 1 after the goblin turns and bolts while sounding the alert.

[merias]

Herrin will rush forward and wait to the side of the entrance, hammer ready.

Do we see the second goblin run in? If not, Herrin will be on the opposite side of the tree (opposite from where the other goblin disappeared). Do we need to roll now? Or can we wait to see what happens since we're not officially in combat yet?

[LtTibbles]

Elbreth will ready his bow to attack the farthest goblin to appear.

Attack [1d20] = 12
Damage [1d8] = 5

[Keehnelf]

You'll essentially be out of combat for this round unless your action is "Charge in after the goblin" or something similar, but I need clarity about who's actually doing what so I can properly account for it.

Waiting works just fine, like LtTibbles' action. It will carry over to the next round if it takes time before anything else happens. But if something happens in between to make it a useless action, next round he'll get the chance to re-declare if he likes.

Both goblins have disappeared into the shadows. Herrin can take his action to move around the tree into a position opposite the opening behind the cavalry barricade, if that is how he'd like to spend his round.

[merias]

Both goblins have disappeared into the shadows. Herrin can take his action to move around the tree into a position opposite the opening behind the cavalry barricade, if that is how he'd like to spend his round.

Yes.

[GTan_Baq]

Njord will move up to the entrance and stand opposite Herrin and wait for the goblins to emerge.

[Keehnelf]

I've pinged Zhym to get him to chime up with his action--if he hasn't tonight I'll move forward.

[Zhym]

"I din'a like waitin' on der assembled hordes o' gobbos to come meet us," says Ulf. "Anyone got some oil ter toss in?"

He stands next to Njord, ready to smash any goblins that poke their heads out, but he keeps an eye on the woods. "Dis gobbo hole could ha' more'n one exit," he suggests.

Roll, if needed:
War hammer (THAC0 19): [1d20+1] = 15+1 = 16 Dmg: [1d6+1] = 6+1 = 7

[Keehnelf]

While Elbreth covers the original approach to the area and Herrin moves to one side to get a better angle on any approaching goblins, the dwarf and the human rush in through the narrow gate in the cavalry barricade to the little square formed by it around the uplifted roots of the massive tree.

As they approach they canopy of roots, they see that one opening between two heavy tendrils yawns down into the darkness, forming a barely human-sized opening through which one could gain entrance to the further bowels of the giant tree. The opening is heavily shadowed by the overhanging tree, but they can see no other entrances below or place among the undergrowth up top where either of the goblins could have disappeared.

The two position themselves to either side of the opening, hoping to catch the enemy by surprise, but it is they who are caught off guard, as a bellowing voice echoes out from the opening in the goblin tongue:

"Manlings! Are there those among you who understand my speech? If so, I wish to parley! Shout back to me if this is acceptable to you!"

[Zhym]

Ulf says nothing right away. He gives Elbreth, who should also understand the language, a questioning look.

[LtTibbles]

"They want to parley apapparently." Elbreth keeps his aim trained on the opening still. "Should we accept and issue our terms? The Arch Duke's notice did say we only needed to rid the area of goblins, not kill them, this could work in our favor."

[GTan_Baq]

Njord says, "Never expected this. It will be easier than smashing skulls, but can they be trusted? Will they stick to any terms we offer?"

[merias]

"Let's at least hear what they have to say," Herrin says. "We can always smash their skulls if we get the sense are toying with us."