Rise-of-the-Runelords

[SpoonyMage]

http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/76628/Goblin_Attack.jpg

[SpoonyMage]

The Swallowtail Festival begins promptly, as scheduled, on the Autumnal Equinox. The square before the church quickly becomes crowded as locals and travelers arrive, and several merchant tents featuring food, clothes, local crafts, and souvenirs are there to meet them. You (the party) is present for the festival hearing respectable welcome speeches from keynote speakers. Following the speeches is the start of the festivals games and the release of a furious
storm of swallowtail butterflies that swarm into the air in a spiraling riot of color to a great cheer from the crowd. All the travels are providing meals for free and not only are they free, but they are providing the best food they have available.

Finally, as the sun begins to set, Father Zantus takes the central podium, uses a thunderstone to attract everyone’s attention, and clears his throat as he prepares to recite the Prayer of First Dreaming.


A sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, slices
through the excited crowd as the sun’s setting rays
paint the western sky. A stray dog that has crawled
under a nearby wagon to sleep starts awake, and the
buzz of two dozen conversations quickly hushes as
all heads turn toward the central podium, where a
beaming Father Zantus has taken the stage. He clears
his throat, takes a breath to speak, and suddenly a
woman’s scream slices through the air. A few moments
later, another scream rises, then another. Beyond
them, a sudden surge of strange new voices rises—
high-pitched, tittering shrieks that sound not quite
human. The crowd parts and something low to the
ground races by, giggling with disturbing glee as the
stray dog gives a pained yelp and then collapses with
a gurgle, its throat cut open from ear to ear. As blood
pools around its head, the raucous sound of a strange
song begins, chanted from shrill, scratchy voices.



Please describe your actions during the festival in a short paragraph. Once your done please make a Perception check in discord or here at the end of your post.

[thegoldenfedora]

Roga takes his break from the Ruby Revelry Company to try to find a butterfly to release in honor of his sister Riska for the ceremony. He joins in many games, laughing and cheering when he wins and laughing and cheering when he loses. When it comes time to release the butterflies, he makes a silent wish to Desna, asking her to watch over his sister, and to pass on the message that her oafish brother was doing fine. As the butterflies are released he joyously joins the children in chasing after them, yelling Desna's and Riska's name in exultation.

The ceremony finished he goes to listen to the speech, chuckling good naturedly as he is startled from the thunderstone. At the women's scream he unsheathes his account, recognising the scream as one of danger, and looks everywhere for where it may come from.

[roll0]

[AtS]

Alma Jvorti

Alma, clad in a traveler's cloak and hood to obscure her unique appearance, spends the morning at the edge of the crowd, half-watching the festivities while also taking in the sights and sounds of Sandpoint. Her old habits die hard, and even though she's only just arrived in Sandpoint, she's already analyzing rooftop escape routes and taking note of every back-alley shortcut she can spot as she wanders her way around the square. She stifles a yawn as the yellow rays of the midday sun beam onto her face. When Father Zantus strikes the thunderstone to get everyone's attention, her ears perk up - and that's when her acute Vieran senses notice the commotion, just a few moments before anyone else - a scuffle, a scream, and stampede of tiny feet, coming this way. The thief draws her blades and prepares for action, her two-toned eyes darting about the square, trying to spot the source of the disturbance.

Perception: [roll0]

[warper]

Tempus is at first overwhelmed by the many people and loudness of the festivities. He notices some glances his way, assuming it’s because of his blue skin, clearly marking him as an outsider. Tempus tries to relax and play some games, smiling at a huge man’s cheery laugh. Tempus does not drink, but Tempus dives into much of the delicious food. He hangs around the stalls most of the day, content to observe much of the event and record it later.

Tempus sees the man pull out his thunderstone and looks around, just to watch others jump. He chuckles lightly while listening. When the scream tears through the air, Tempus lowers his center of gravity and unfolds his arms into a ready stance. He puts a hand close to his component pouch when he sees the dog, horrified that someone would do such a thing.

[roll0]

I don’t know how to roll in discord by the way. I’ll look for an answer there later.

[Foryn Gilnith]

Amicus walks through the streets waving to acquaintances, shaking hands, and smiling widely at the wide variety of food on display. Even for someone like him who doesn't keep the faith, these religious festivals are easily the best time of the year - people's spirits are high, their wallets are flush (not that that's needed on this particular day), and their schedules are open. He takes the time to look for and catch up with people he used to know but has fallen out with for some or another reason, since every good Varisian should be out to celebrate this holy day of Desna.

As always, time is in short supply, and sooner than later the crack of a thunderstone peals across the crowd to announce the Prayer of First Dreaming. In place of the usual words from the priest, however, there is a chorus of screams and shrieking that instantly puts Amicus's senses on edge. He crouches low to the ground and unstraps a shield from his back, ready to run away from a panicking crowd - or run toward a target.

Perception 23

[OutOfThyme]

Durin had been quietly walking through the marketplace during the Swallowtail Festival, hoping to get something for his grand-uncle. Most of the day was spent wandering around town, taking a look at all the sights and sounds of Sandpoint at its most vibrant. He didn't worship Desna, but the festival was still enjoyable for him.

As the thunderstone cracked, Durin turned his attention towards Father Zantus. Resting his arm on the sheath of his sword, Durin begins to lean against a beam holding up a stall. However, the sudden screams catch him off guard, and he grips his sword by the hilt as he scans the crowd to find the source of the commotion.

I rolled a 4 in the Discord, so... yeah.

[SpoonyMage]

As fear and panic strike the citizens of the festival the party is left in the fray staying behind. A song erupts of cackling frenzy as goblins rush those who are left, sharp toothy smiles beaming with bloodlust.

- Any PC who succeeds at a DC 12 Perception check sees that the shape that raced by and killed the
dog now hides at the wagon’s edge—a single goblin, licking the blood from its dogslicer as it looks excitedly at the crowd, seeking out a new target. Please roll initiative in discord and post your actions. Don't worry about post order until the 2nd round of combat where you'll need to post in order of Initiative. Those who spotted the goblin get +4 to initiative. There are 3 goblins ready to murder you!

[thegoldenfedora]

Roga let's out a mighty yell "Everybody get back! Leave goblin to Roga The Incredible Man!! Unused to speaking quietly, Roga's voice carried well throughout the square.

He swings his axe with a theatrical flourish and points it at the closest goblin"Come little goblin, fight Roga.!" He quickly launches himself forward, faster than one would assume a man of his size could move he yells mightily "ROOOOOOOOGAAAAA!" And brings his axe crashing down on the goblin.

charge! [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[warper]

Tempus mutters to himself. ”I should have seen this coming.” He sprinkles some dust in the air while chanting:”Variae armis.” A shimmer appears around Tempus and he runs toward the goblin while pulling out a dagger.

Initiative is 18. Cast Mage Armor on self. Tempus will move at an angle since he hears Roga, he doesn’t want to get in the big man’s way.

[Foryn Gilnith]

"...Goblins? Here?" Amicus stares at the toothy little son-of-a-mother, confused as to why it would dare to attack the town on a day like this - and as to how the local guards let this incursion through. His hands are faster than his mind, though, and they've snapped a dull steel scepter out of his belt and into firing position before the last word leaves his mouth. A jet of water flies out from the scepter's end moving faster than a crossbow bolt and splatters against the road a few inches short of one of the goblins' feet.

Initiative 11. Move action to draw a weapon, standard action to attack a goblin, attack roll 9.

[OutOfThyme]

As soon as Roga announces his presence, Durin's head turns to the source of the commotion. As soon as he spots the goblin, Durin draws his sword and looks around, hoping to spot more goblins - and attack any that are near him.

After all, there's never just one goblin.

Initiative 14

Move action to draw his sword, readying a standard action to attack a goblin if it comes close.

[AtS]

Alma Jvorti

Alma blinks at Roga's recklessness, and watches as the screaming crowd empties from the square, leaving a few well-equipped adventurers standing to face the threat. Two mages, two warriors, and herself. The magic-users keep their distance, predictably, while one of the warriors keeps back, sword at the ready. Noting Roga's considerable bloodlust and massive axe handily dispatching a goblin on his own, the viera thief decides to engage the other nearby warrior. Her eyes glow bright, one a sapphire blue, the other an emerald green, and she whispers a Message to the man while she makes a circle around the square, attempting to position herself behind their foes.

"No time to explain - If you engage one, I will come from behind to help dispatch it." she whispers in Common, though only Durin can hear her words.

Initiative: 23
Move: Start circling around the goblins to try to flank next turn.
Standard: Cast Message as an SLA (doesn't require VSM, so she's still wielding her two shortswords), to Durin. He can respond as a free action if he chooses.

Status
HP: 9/9
MP: 3/3

Spells
Read Magic: At-will
Message: 1/2

[SpoonyMage]

As the crowd disperse the goblins yell out in victory. One goblin turn his back to the party to run to a table full of food and starts to stuff food in every pocket he has. Distracted by a plate of salmon Roga's axe comes down on the head of the goblin splitting it's head up in a flourish.

"Raryahg!!!!" - The goblin next to Roga yells out something in goblin (Magic Weapon) seeing it split the head of his fellow comrade. Furious and blinded with idiocy he moves up and swings his dogslicer but misses wildly.

Meanwhile the last goblin in sight climbs up onto a table and turns towards everyone waving his dogslicer and screaming in triumph.

[thegoldenfedora]

"Is good try little one, but far from good enough!" Roga yells as he swings his axe back before launching it over his shoulder straight down into the goblin.

attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[warper]

Tempus gets showered in blood as Roga cleaves a goblin in half. Tempus covers his eyes but knows that otherwise he’s got no time to worry about it. He’s about to chase after the next one but sees Roga headed straight for it so instead he spies on the goblins, making sure they can’t escape Roga’s Enormous reach.

Tempus readies an action for any goblins to run away. Specifically to cast Deceleration (http://www.finalfantasyd20.com/magic/spells/d/deceleration/) DC = 17 Reflex or lose half move speeds. None shall escape!:smallamused:

[AtS]

Alma Jvorti

When there is no response to her query, Alma shrugs and rushes forward to attack the goblin that had climbed the table, alone. "Taste my blade, vile fiend!" she shouts as she darts in, stabbing at the creature with vicious grace.

Move: Move up to the Goblin on the table
Standard: Attack the goblin with a shortsword
Attack: [roll0]
Crit Confirm: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
Crit Damage: [roll3]

[SpoonyMage]

Roga with another mighty swing fells the goblin that attacked him, more blood splattered violently around. Tempus standing nearby takes in the scene but see's no goblins running away. In fact the only one left is squaring off against the charging Alma.

Alma striking the goblin seems to do little damage to it as she cuts across his shoulder narrowly dodging what seemed like might be a solid pierce to the heart. Retaliating the goblin swings his dogslicer down at Alma but widely misses.

As the battle ensues the sight of black smoke filling the sky from various directions can be seen. More and more screams can be heard and dying off, rising and lowing as things move away and get closer. One thing is for sure, it is a real attack, a real battle.

[thegoldenfedora]

Never ceasing, Roga turns to the remaining foe "You should run now!" he yells to it, as he takes his own advice and dashes after it.

charge attack! [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[AtS]

Alma Jvorti

Alma smiles as Roga charges into the fray to join her. "I'd prefer we not let this one escape. A goblin underfoot is up to no good!" She backflips behind the goblin onto the table, moving into a flanking position with the warrior on the other side of their foe. Then, she thrusts her blade toward the goblin's exposed back.

Move: Acrobatics to move through threatened squares without provoking to flank with Roga, at half speed (assuming this still allows her to get behind the goblin)
Acrobatics: [roll0] vs Goblin's CMD
Standard: Sneak attack!
Attack: [roll1] (Flanking)
Crit Confirm: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3] + [roll4] (Sneak Attack)
Crit Damage: [roll5]

[warper]

Tempus nods, seeing the others have it covered. He stays in position though, just in case more the sneaky goblins show up from other parts.

Tempus will hold his actions for the same purpose again.

[SpoonyMage]

With the goblins dispatched the last one falls to the blows of the large axe and the agile dagger. As the PC's take in their surroundings it is obvious that the city is in trouble. Engulfed in chaos goblins race around everywhere, running amok and singing and slashing indiscriminately. Blooms of fire start erupting all over and their black signals can be seen from all directions. After around 1 minute there is a large eruption of fire from a nearby unattended wagon that was holding more butterflies in their cages. Adding more kindling the dying butterflies give a finality to the end of the festival.

PCs: You have a few rounds between the fight and when the wagon catches fire and catches all of your attention. You may take this time to introduce yourselves and then proceed to the wagon, should you choose so. As of now it is the closest fire to you and is the most recent one to sprout up.

[thegoldenfedora]

Roga grins as the last giving falls before striding over to Alma and giving a hearty slap in the back, never quite knowing his own strength, it landed harder than he meant.

"Korosho! Good job little one, am Roga The Incredible Man, am happy to fight with you, let us go fight more goblins da?" his voice boomed without any effort as a man unused to having to speak quietly, "You too, man with water stIck!" he calls to Amicus.

He then turns to the two weeks had not partaken of the battle. "You should be hiding, let Roga and new friends fight goblin. Is scary I know, but do not be scared, Roga The Incredible Man is here!" He laughs and gives an encouraging smile.

[AtS]

Alma Jvorti

Alma practically doubles over from the force of Roga’s pat on the back. As she does, her hood falls back and reveals her strange Vieran features. Fur, long ears, a dainty pink nose, doe-like two-toned eyes - the thief is an exotic sight. She coughs, then adjusts her hood back over her head to hide her face again then stands straight, looking a little miffed. She takes a breath and regains her composure. “You’re quite skilled with that weapon,” she says to Roga, tactfully.

“I am Alma, procurer of things and opener of doors. Fighting isn’t always my forte, but if you keep their attention, I’ll stab ‘em in the back.”

Her eyes dart around the square, watching plumes of flame erupt around town. “I’ve only just arrived in Sandpoint. Is this sort of thing normal around here? Feels almost like I’m back in the Old Korvosa slums again...”

[Foryn Gilnith]

Amicus stands hunched over squinting at the alleys of the town until Roga calls out and snaps his mind and body back to attention. He salutes reflexively before jogging over to the assembling group with a sheepish grimace.

Taking a deep breath and a hard look at the debris and goblin corpses littering the ground, Amicus offers a handshake to Alma and Roga in turn as he starts to speak. "I'm Amicus Cordeles. I work security. Since you guys cleared the area so, er, heroically - I reckon we should get moving and try to join up with other irregulars. Goblin attack this bad, we might need to push them back in more force."

[warper]

Tempus smiles weakly when Roga suggests hiding. After the others introduce themselves, Tempus does the same. Giving a slight bow with his hands in his sleeves. ”I am Tempus Bellator, scholar and mage. I agree we should keep mo-“ at that moment the wagon explodes, drowning out what didn’t need to be said. Tempus will run towards the fire, hoping to at least contain it. He could feel his skin drying out already, his blue skin looking lighter from the heat.

[AtS]

Alma Jvorti

The thief listens quietly while the others introduce themselves, nodding her head slightly at each newcomer. A glint of determination flashes across her eyes when Amicus mentions moving on, and she's nodding her head at Tempus' suggestion when the wagon explodes. Alma turns toward the eruption of the wagon and bounds off the table as the burnt scent of smoke fills the air. She lands with grace on her feet, and crouches into a pumping sprint towards the commotion. "You're both right! Let's get a move on!" she shouts as she leaves the others in a puff of dust, her boots smacking the cobblestone courtyard with a thwip thwip thwip.