The Heroes' Journey Begins (in Merivale)

@htech: Ack, yes, that was totally wrong on my part. My brain has been a little scattered with all the packing and moving and unpacking and organizing. :(

Caldra positions herself to strike of if a goblin comes into view

The Scene: You've got the bole of a giant tree to your north (towards the goblin's camp), maybe 8' in diameter, protecting that flank. Two groups of three are circling towards you from the east and west - the Ratrider went with the eastbound group. Who's facing in which direction and are you doing anything specific to prepare for the assault?

@psybermagi: that sounds like a great idea! Make a roll and use the bonus for whichever skill you're using to create that advantage for yourself. the DC is 12.

Thorne will face his quarry and the eastbound group.

For a moment, all is silence, and then you hear crashing through the brush on both sides of you. To the west, three goblins burst from the darkness and charge towards you. From the east, two more on foot pour out of the gloom while the ratrider literally erupts into your field of vision bearing down on you with with a bloodthirsty grin.

I think because of the pause, it's time for another Initiative roll as you brace yourselves for the onslaught!

Initiative

Preparing to engage evil

Vilde will focus her attention to the west and gird herself for battle.

GM Note: Ok, looks like Kessa and Thorne each have one action to prepare, Vilde has 2, and Caldra 3. You are the heroes of the story, so you get to go first in whatever order you like. If the Goblins had surprised you, they would get their round before you, but you were expecting them, so we're in normal turn order.

@timplausible: It's impossible to tell at this point - they seem to be just charging towards where the ratrider directed them and planning on picking targets once they get there.

Vilde quickly scans her surroundings and moves closer to the great tree, where its twisting roots and broad trunk will hopefully offer her the best protection. [She's going to Assess: Anticipate Danger using her Naturecraft of +2]

As soon as the westside goblins burst out of the woods, Vilde's calls out, 'Igneo!' as her fingers weave a quick pattern in the air and then flash towards one of the creatures. A blazing dart of magical fire flies through the darkness, briefly lighting up their faces, teeth bared and grinning madly, before exploding square in the chest of the one in the middle.

Like Vilde, Thorne will try to use the tree for protection this round. He puts the bow on his back and prepares for a charge.

Thorne expertly finds a position on one of the tree's exposed roots, forcing any foe who attacks him to navigate their tangle and uneven surface.

Caldra immediately engaged the goblins, attacking the rider and their mount

@psybermagi: I think Caldra's attack is 1d6+2. Also, each attack in the same round after the first is considered a Rushed Attack, which means the second is at Disadvantage (roll 2d6 and keep the lowest), and the third would be at Disadvantage x2 (roll 3d6 and keep the lowest). We're still pretty new at this, so if you want to do something different for your second and third actions, that's cool.

As the ratrider charges, Caldra unleashes a series of furious blows - but the fiend is remarkably quick and agile, as you witnessed earlier. As one Goblin and beast dodge and weave past the first two strikes before the third and final one lands a glancing blow across the giant rodent's flank.

@timplausible: Kessa's up!