Ch.2 Goblins, why did it have to be Goblins?

Caldra steps in front of the others, raising her shield as she examines the goblin attackers and prepares to block any attacks.

• Anticipate Danger. Reduce all Primary Dice rolled against you by 1 this round.

Thorne unleashes a shot that sails through the air and hits the lead goblin, leaving a nasty slice across his right shoulder. The fiend lets out a wail of pain and surprise and bares its teeth at you, preparing to charge. Near simultaneously, Vilde works her magic, first imbuing Thorne with a burst of energy that wells up inside inside him like a volcano - heat and pressure needing to be released. Almost of their own accord, his practiced fingers pull an arrow from his quiver, nock it, and release; this time feathering the Goblin in the leg. The creature staggers and stumbles back, breaking off the arrow just outside the skin. He tries to look fierce, but much of the colour has drained out of his face.

Having emboldened her compatriot, Vilde's fingers weave arcane patterns in the air, then dart towards to Goblin leader inscribing a zigzagging pattern along the way. Magical energies leap form her fingertips as a bolt of energy flies towards him and briefly envelops him. For a moment, the leader looks down at the seared spot thats formed on his bare chest, the smell of singed hair and flesh filling his nostrils. Then his blood red eyes focus on the mage and he hisses, "Oh, now you gone an' dunnit. Get that bloody wizard!"

Caldra, unintimidated by the Goblin's threat, steps forward, placing herself in front of her companions and knocking her mace against her shield, sending the message - if you want them, you have to go through me.

At the command of their leader, the smaller goblins raise their shortbows train their aim at Vilde (all except the one who took Thornes arrow in the leg, he's still busy trying to compose himself). Meanwhile, the two Bugbears heft their spears and toss them at her, then prepare themselves for a charge. Their leader spits on the ground and mutters, "I hates wizards." Then he draws his sword and charges as well. As he does, he shouts back over his shoulder, Come on the rest you lot! Leave them chickens alone!"

A moment later, a few Gerblings pop their heads around the corner of a hut down the lane.

GM Note: They won't quite reach you in this round but will end up a few paces away.

Thorne will interpose and defend Goblin 2's arrows, hoping that the other attacks will somehow be divided between Caldra, Vilde, and the rest of the party.

Caldra Moves to intercept another arrow before raising her mace and unleashing a bolt of brilliant light onto the leading bugbear

@psybermagi: Because Caldra Anticipated Danger, the primary die of the attack you intercepted was reduced by 1 to 5, and therefore not a crit. So the total damage to soak is only 7, not 10 - Caldra the Mighty escapes unharmed!

GM Note: Kessa's player hasn't been active for 3 days, so unless they post by this evening, I'll NPC them til they come back. We also have our new addition, Naut the Wanderer, who should be joining us shortly!

Vilde freezes as the barrage of arrows, spears, and goblins all careen toward her, looking to draw many, many pints of her blood. Seeing Caldra get in front to protect them jostles her and she dives behind the large tree next to them, but not quickly enough to stop from getting pierced.

@ctme2000: We'll hold that for now - if @timplausible doesn't post for Kessa in the next couple hours, I'll NPC her and have her Interpose and defend vs Goblin #3's 8pt hit, in which case you'll defend against Bugbear #1's 6pt hit.

Despite herself, Kessa sees the rain of death coming for the party's diminutive mage and steps in to shield her from a black feathered arrow (Goblin #3's 8pt hit). She let's out a low growl as the arrow grazes her shoulder leaving a small gash (3pts of damage),

@ctme2000: After all the interposing, jostling, and defending, Vilde only needs to soak 6 points of damage out of the original 34 - nice teamwork!!!

The Scene: The two Bugbears and Goblin leader are almost upon you, the three lesser Goblins have closed the distance a bit after loosing their arrows and drawn their blades, one of the Gerblings, face still covered in egg from raiding a nearby chicken coop, has joined the horde, and second has rounded to corner.

The Heroes are up!

With his last action, Thorne will shoot the same goblin he hit before, trying to finish him off once and for all. After that, he puts his bow on his back and draws his swords, preparing for melee combat.

The wounded Goblin, still reeling from the first two hits, is an easy mark for the hunter, and drops to the ground instantly as a third arrow strikes him squarely in the temple.

Quite amazed at still being alive, Vilde shouts out an appreciative "Thanks everyone!"

Instead of fleeing, she holds her ground. Lord Hast would think her foolish, but she can't abandon her companions. Eyeing the goblin leader, "I'll give you something to fear." she grumbles, incanting a spell she recently picked up.

The monk you saw under the tree suddenly appear just behind the goblin group, moving swiftly wearing only his robes and holding no other weapon a long wooden staff. In a silent move stuff's blow is followed by a kick in a trained combat move.

Corruscating lightning erupts from Vilde's fingers, cutting a path through the air and leaving a lingering scent of ozone. The blue-white bolt crashes into the Goblin leader, staggering him and knocking him to one knee before arcing off to zap the nearest Bugbear.

"I thought I tolds you to get that bloody wizard!" he shouts, his voice slightly breaking and trailing off into a fit of coughing.

Out of seemingly nowhere, the monk you previously spotted sitting under the tree appears behind the Goblin grunts, staff spinning in practiced arcs and landing with a sound thud on the cranium of the nearest Goblin. Before it can even react, the strike is followed with a powerful side kick that sends the Goblin staggering several feet before it recovers its balance. The look of surprise on his face and that of his nearby companion is the stuff of campfire tales for days to come.