PRP: The Farm

Log Info

• Title: The Farm
• Emitter: Benthus
• Characters: Arlean Level 2, Taro Level 2, Yngvild Level 3
• Place: Alexandria - Nearby farm area
• Time: September 6, 2014
• Summary: A nearby farm needs some pest extermination.
• APL: 3
• Encounter 1: 6 goblins, CR 3
• Encounter 2: 12 goblins, CR 5

Benthus was walking alongside another person who is talking to him about the murdered man they found at the alleyway near the temple district.  Apparently the victim came from a farm not far from the city, but due to problems there they had to relocate to the city. The victim had a wife and child in the city, living somewhere in the poorer parts. The man said that without the husband, the wife and child would not be able to sustain themselves for long. 

Benthus asked where the farm is located. The man scanned through his notes and provides the location of the farm. The paladin shakes his head and says, "If only someone were to go to that farm and make things right, I believe the Mother and son will be able to survive." He sighs and continues to walk, as the other man continues to offer more details about the murder...

Taro has his own reasons for visiting a farm. Surely they don't have anything to do with how he is looking a little gaunt. Or that it sounds like the farm is populated by a wife and child. Nevertheless he collects his giant axe and then heads off for the troubled farm.

Yngvild's large form emerges from the temple of Angoron, unusually for her she is fully armored in her suit of plate. It is masterfully crafted but curiously plain, the only decorated the symbol of Angoron enameled on the breastplate "Excuse me for interrupting" she booms in her powerfully resonant voice "There is trouble?"

        It's been a long few days for Arlean. Busking is one thing, but even in Alexandria City, it palls after not very long, and the adventure he thought he was seeking ... isn't happening, even after multiple inquiries. Back out to sea is not, however, something that really appeals, and he chews on his lip before pulling on his leathers and gathering his things. Maybe a trip overland will help...

        He pauses, though, on his way to the gates, at the sound and mention of trouble, and looks up, surveying both the Aesir woman and the people she's talking to. Just listening for now.

For some strange reason, the address of the farm that was given by the man talking to Benthus was crystal clear, and seems to have stuck to your memory. What is even more interesting is that the particular farm's location is actually a place you know. Whether you have gone there, or just have seen in it a map. Either way, the location is not a problem. The decision to go, is.

Taro glances over the other adventurers who have answered The Call today. For some reason as each new person joins the little group, Taro seems to grow more disappointed. Finally when they are all on their way he sighs. "I hope there's SOME reward in this little jaunt," he growls.

Yngvild tends to be fairly impulsive at the best of times, and well helping widows and orphans. She only pauses to get some supplies from her chambers in the temple. That done she heads towards the farm whistling tunelessly. She pauses with a glance to Taro, her faintly shaggy eyebrows arching "Helping the weak is it's own reward" she booms with a bright smile, reaching up to clap the larger man on the shoulder "Or at least Angoron will smile on you"

        Arlean flashes a grin at the others, seeming to make a decision in that moment. "Aye, if naught else it's a trip outside the walls that don't involve a ship's deck," he answers the oruch, shifting crossbow and pack over his shoulders to be a little more comfortable. "Mind another?"
Taro snorts. "Let's just get this over with," he scowls. Settling his axe over one shoulder, he begins walking, his stride long and swift enough that it eats up the distance.

As you and your companions reach the farm, you realize immediately why the family had to leave. Goblins. Lots of them. And they are tearing the place apart. There isn't much left to be saved, that is for sure, but with a land to till, life can still go on.

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
 ---Init--Name----------------Notes--------------------------------------------
     25   Goblins             
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     17   Arlean              Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4    Yngvild             Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
GAME: Taro rolls initiative: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | E Lev| CHP | HP  | AC  | For | Ref | Wil |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Arlean    |HUMAN     |Bard       |  2   | 18  | 18  | 13  |  2  |  4  |  5  |
|Taro      |ORC       |Bbn/Rgr    |  2   | 28  | 28  | 16  |  7  |  4  |  4  |
|Yngvild   |HUMAN     |Clr        |  3   | 25  | 25  | 21  |  5  |  2  |  6  |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Apparently, the goblins that are tearing down the farm house and barn, as well as the cow and sheep fences and everything else that would be considered of use are just a lure for the unwary. The real threat has been silently watching the group as they make their way towards the edge of the farm. And when they arrive at their ambush point, the goblins hiding on top of a tree, begin firing their arrows on the three-man party...

There are six of them waiting in ambush...

They seem to be coordinated as two of them are zeroing on one hero(ine), letting loose their arrow barrage...

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round One - Init 25.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9
<OOC> Benthus says, "Arlean and Yngvild get 1 hit each."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (2): 2
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (1): 1
GAME: You damaged Arlean for 2 points. 16 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Yngvild for 1 points. 24 remaining.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round One - Init 17.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Yngvild is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Arlean ended.
*Arlean casts Inspire courage*
An arrow comes out of nowhere -- ack! Arlean moves to duck, but isn't fast enough as one leaves a crimson line across his muscled forearm, spattering the leather armor. "Agh! Blasted bilge-rats!" Instead of unslinging the crossbow across his back, though, he begins a quick chant, a strict-time affair meant to discipline the mind and coordinate efforts among sailors.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round One - Init 4.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Yngvild ended.
GAME: Yngvild casts Bless. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14
Yngvild hisses as the arrow thumps into her armor, doing little more than a small bruise. Still it is irritating. She hoists her huge earthbreaker up towards the sky her eyes burning with a fierce joy "PATRON OF HEROES WITNESS" she booms out as her other hand grasps the holy symbol around her neck "SEND YOUR BLESSINGS DOWN TO YOUR HEROES AS THEY FIGHT EVIL" she thunder to the heavens as the blessing of her deities settles down amongst the three.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round One - Init 3.
      It is now Taro's turn! Goblins is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Taro ended.
GAME: Taro RAGES!, gaining: +4 Str, +6 Con, +2 Will and -2 AC
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+12: (12)+12: 24
Taro ducks a few inches out of instinct. He's too late, as the arrows have already missed him. Flinching only seems to embarrass him, and he roars before rushing at one if the trees, bringing his axe around in a massive swing that connects solidly with the trunk.
(Goblins roll reflex saves to stay on tree DC10)
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9
(Three goblins did not save and fell from the tree)

GAME: NEW ROUND!
      Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Two - Init 25.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
It looks like Taro's attempt of chopping the tree down resulted in having three of the goblins fall flat on their backs. The other three manage to hang on and focus their attacks on their most obvious threat: Taro. The three goblins nock arrows to bows and fire frantically at the raging barbarian...
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (7)+4: 11
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (15)+4: 19
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (1): 1
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (3): 3
GAME: You damaged Taro for 4 points. 30 remaining.
One of the goblin arrows misses, bouncing off the oruch's skin. The other two manage to find a weak spot and bury their arrows in him...

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Two - Init 17.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Yngvild is next!
<OOC> Arlean says, "Continuing inspire courage is a free action, so it's time to unsling the crossbow and be makin' with the shootin' while I do that. The ones that fell out have Mister Rhar! over here in their faces and probably are in heap deep kimchee, so I'm not worried so muh about them. Firing at one of the ones still in the tree."
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+2: (1)+2: 3
        Still chanting away in a booming, roughened baritone voice meant to cut across howling gales, Arlean can only watch as the oruch's swing brings half of the goblings plunging down out of the tree like so much ugly fruit. No time for amusement, though -- he unslings the crossbow from his back and pulls a bolt from the quiver next to him. Load, level, take aim -- and the bolt isn't properly seated, so fast was he moving in breathless anticipation. As the string snaps forward, the bolt squirts harmlessly out of the groove, sailing through the air all of about 15 feet before landing harmlessly on the ground.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Two - Init 4.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Taro is next!
<OOC> Yngvild is going to hit something "OR try anyway"
GAME: Yngvild rolls 1d20+8: (19)+8: 27
GAME: Yngvild rolls 2d6+5: (8)+5: 13
Yngvild looks to the goblins out of reach on the tree and growls low in frustration "Damn cowards" she booms out, then as Taro does a great lumberjack impersonation a fierce smile spreads across her face. She hoists her massive hammer up in two hands and brings it down on one of the fallen goblins with a terrible crunching squishy type sound as she caves in it's chest and bathes the area in blood and bits "ANGORON!" she booms out as she hoists her bloodied hammer, droplets splattering around.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Two - Init 3.
      It is now Taro's turn! Goblins is next!
<OOC> Taro will chop one of the others that fell
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+11: (15)+11: 26
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+12: (7)+12: 19
Taro grunts as two tiny arrows stick into his shoulders. Spinning wildly, he spots one of the goblins that fell from the tree and bring his axe back. When he swings it, the blow us just as hard as the one he struck the tree with, only now the target is much, much softer.

GAME: NEW ROUND!
      Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Three - Init 25.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
The goblin on the ground shakes his head, feeling a bit stunned from the fall. It looks about just in time to see blood splashed across its face. Blood of its kinsmen. The goblin shrieks and hastily takes out its goblin sword, intent on stabbing the one that murdered its companion...
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (5)+2: 7
And the goblin's blade just swipes through air, nowhere close to its intended target...
The goblins who are still on top of the tree continue to pepper the heroes that are beneath them (Taro and Yngvild)...
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17
<OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, Yngvild got the short stick."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (2): 2
GAME: You damaged Yngvild for 2 points. 22 remaining.
<OOC> Benthus says, "Forgot there were three of them."
<OOC> Benthus rolled for the other one and that should hit a raging taro.
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (1): 1
GAME: You damaged Taro for 1 points. 29 remaining.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Three - Init 17.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Yngvild is next!
<OOC> Arlean says, "Let's try that again, shall we? Second verse, same as the first. My rolls can only go up from here :D (Still maintaining bardic performance.)"
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+4: (15)+4: 19
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d8: (3): 3
<OOC> Arlean says, "That'd be 9 then."
Arlean shakes his head at the chaos unfolding before him, but it's the strict time of the chant he's now repeating that keeps him centered. Not missing a beat -- literally or figuratively - he levels the crossbow and pulls another bolt -- and places it more carefully this time! Take your time, Arly .... 

        And he fires. This time, the momentary attention to sighting pays off, and this time a well-placed bolt takes one of the ugly rats in the tree right through the left eye with an audible *thunk*. It doesn't even get to make a sound as it falls backwards towards the trunk of the tree.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Three - Init 4.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Taro is next!
The tree is groaning audibly as the weight distribution above is making it tilt to one side. Cracking sounds can be heard where Taro has chopped it...
GAME: Yngvild rolls 2d6+5: (11)+5: 16
Three little goblins sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S....er lets not go there. There are however shooting annoying arrows down at Yngvild. Now down to two after some shooting from the erstwhile bard So taking her cue from the massive Oruch she hefts that bloodstained hammer and slams it into the trunk of the three. Already listing the impact of the hefty hammer does the trick and with several loud cracks echo over the sounds of battle. TIMBERRRRRRRRRRRR the goblin tree goes down with a hefty thud. 

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Three - Init 3.
      It is now Taro's turn! Goblins is next!
<OOC> Taro will attack the one near me
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+11: (9)+11: 20
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+12: (3)+12: 15
"RRRAAGH!" Taro bellows as yet another arrow sticks into him, this time in his back. He sees Yngvild knock down the tree and grins savagely. Then he turns back to the other goblin, the one that fell from before. He raises his axe and then brings it crashing down on the small foe.

GAME: NEW ROUND!
      Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Four - Init 25.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
You can hear groans from where the rest of the tree is located. The goblins seem to have been pinned underneath the tree branches...

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Four - Init 17.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Yngvild is next!
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d8: (6): 6
        Now she's a lumberjack and she's okay! Good thing, too ... because gobbers come crashing down with the tree, and they're not dead yet. Still chanting, Arlean looks for a good shot amid branches and leaves, finds nothing, and strides forward a couple of paces. Level crossbow ... ready ... aim ... fire. Splat. The bolt thunks home, and the hapless gobber stops moving rather abruptly with a strangled, cut-off yelp. 

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Four - Init 4.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Yngvild rolls 1d20+8: (13)+8: 21
GAME: Yngvild rolls 2d6+5: (7)+5: 12
Killing helpless pinned goblins is not really the type of heroic deed Yngvild saw herself doing when she came to Alexandria. Still the thing is broken and in a lot of pain, so her hammer swing is almost merciful. Almost anyway. With a nasty crunch she shatters it's skull and then murmurs a soft prayer. This raises up a little as her form starts to glow, the light shining out to those around her, healing the small wounds they took.
<OOC> Yngvild will do a channel thingie to heal the scratches
GAME: Yngvild rolls 2d6: (7): 7
GAME: You damaged Yngvild for -7 points. 25 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Arlean for -7 points. 18 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Taro for -7 points. 28 remaining.

It would appear that the sound of the dying goblins, plus the falling tree, has caught the ears of the other goblins in the farm. Like a mob of green-colored crabs, they scuttle towards the location of conflict.

And the sound of them chittering and shrilling gives the group a rough estimate on the number they will be up against. And the number is more than the first lot of goblins...

Taro pants and huffs as he regains his breath. The wild look leaves his eyes (as much as it ever does, that is). He shivers slightly at the healing energy, then brushes the arrows off.

        Finally, Arlean lets the chant die off and lowers the crossbow, making a fae as he surveys the goblins. "Bilge-rats," he mutters, but there isn't time for more as the chittering and shrilling fills his musical ears with a nasty noise. 

        "...and their bastard cousins," he mutters, raising the crossbow again as he gets a good look at their opponents. 

GAME: Yngvild casts Bull's Strength. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
<OOC> Yngvild says, "On Taro"

Heading down the road towards the path of the would-be-heroes, a cloud of smoke can be seen long before the first of the goblins can be spotted. One goblin is seen first and it is carrying a sword and shield. Then another, then two more, and then... the entire road ahead seems to be brimming with goblins...

"Well that was the easy part" Ynvild rumbles, her resonant voice still cheerful. Reaching out she starts a prayer "ANGORON HEAR ME" she booms, her voice rolling over the farm "Grant your heroes strength so they may do your will" she says, reaching out to clap Taro on the shoulder, strength flowing from her guantleted hand through his huge form. With that done she hefts her bloodied hammer and grins wildly and the advancing goblins "STEP FORTH AND DIE" she screams at them.


GAME: Arlean rolls initiative: Roll: 8 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 9
GAME: Taro rolls initiative: Roll: 3 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 5
GAME: Yngvild rolls initiative: Roll: 13 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 14
GAME: You roll initiative for Goblins: Roll: 4 + Bonus: +6 = Total: 10

Taro hefts his huge axe, testing how it feels with his newly increased strength. When he flies into rage, he never really thinks about the sensation - he never thinks about anything actually, other than destroying his enemies. But this is a new sensation for him. Finally he steps towards the horde, axe gripped in both hands.

        Somehow, Arlean is less sanguine about the whole thing. He shoots nervous looks from one of his companions to the other, then glances down at the remaining bolts in his quiver. He doesn't lower the crossbow, but it's only the pair in front of him that keeps him from turning tail and running. 

There are a lot of goblins heading towards the heroes. Their loud cries of anger and hate can pretty much drown any other noise in the surrounding. And they seem to be out for blood. Armed with make-shift short swords, and haphazard shields, they run towards the fray, pushing their allies aside in their haste to draw blood and inflict pain...

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round One - Init 14.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Goblins is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Yngvild ended.
GAME: Yngvild rolls intimidate+4: (8)+7+4: 19
"WHO WANTS TO DIE FIRST?" Yngvild booms, her deep and resonant voice rolling across the advancing green horde "STEP FORWARD AND DIE" the towering aesir threatens as she raises her hammer and carelessly flicks some blood from the head. This lands on the goblin at the fore, who pales and drops his sword and shield from suddenly nerveless fingers. He tries to run away but falls unless the press of bodies, his form trampled to death beneath.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round One - Init 10.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
The goblins are many. Too many to count, and they rush around the heroes like a river parted in the middle. They quickly surround the three, and like an incoming tidal wave, they crash into them without regards to themselves or anyone else...
<OOC> Benthus says, "Goblins are attacking from all sides... (Flanking)"
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (11)+4: 15
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (3)+4: 7
<OOC> Benthus says, "Checking on the crits..."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (11)+4: 15
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23
<OOC> Benthus says, "Okay... 6 manage to hit you guys. One of them managed to crit."
<OOC> Benthus says, "1 Taro, 2 Yngvild, 3 Arlean."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (2): 2
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (1): 1
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (2): 2
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (2): 2
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (3): 3
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (3): 3
<OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, for the crit."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (1): 1
<OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, the crit goes to Taro. Three damage the cleric (why am I not surprised), and two on Arlean."
<OOC> Benthus says, "Normal damages first."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (3): 3
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (2): 2
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (4): 4
<OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, 9 damage on Yngvild."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (3): 3
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (2): 2
<OOC> Benthus says, "5 on Arlean"
<OOC> Benthus says, "Now for the crit."
GAME: Benthus rolls 3d4: (7): 7
<OOC> Benthus says, "7 on taro."
GAME: You damaged Yngvild for 9 points. 16 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Arlean for 5 points. 13 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Taro for 7 points. 21 remaining.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round One - Init 9.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Arlean ended.
The goblins crash into the heroes hard and some of them manage to bypass all of their defenses, leaving the three with wounds. Three of the goblins attack Yngvild and savagely slice at her unprotected areas like her knees and armpit area. Two slice up Arlean badly and take sadistic glee in what they have done. One brave goblin took his time with Taro, waiting for the proper moment when the oruch exposed his neck. With a quick thrust, it manages to cut him at the neck area...
GAME: Arlean used a Alchemist's Fire.
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+2: (17)+2: 19
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d6: (5): 5
        Crimson flies from fresh gashes to replace the ones Yngvild healed, and a baritone cry of pain -- and anger -- goes up from Arlean as his trsousers are now stained dark. "Great and holy gods ... time to find out if this sh*t works," he mutters, pulling a flask from one of his belt pouches and flinging it at the globlin between him and his companions. 
        Glass shatters, and chemical spatters, and a gobber goes up in flames with a positively nasty smell of flesh that stank to begin with burning. A smirk tugs at one corner of his mouth -- not that he'd ever have dared to use such a thing on a ship -- but apparently it's as advertised. 
Path now cleared, he moves to close the distance between himself and his companions. "Back to back!" he shouts, roughened baritone raised against the sounds of battle.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round One - Init 5.
      It is now Taro's turn! Yngvild is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Taro ended.
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (6)+9: 15
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+10: (4)+10: 14
Taro claps a hand to his neck, then stares for a moment in shock when it comes away bloody. He launches a hasty swing of his axe at the goblin who struck him, chopping the tiny creature down. Then he turns his head towards the other party members. Quickly realizing what Arlean is trying to do - it's so easy to think when his head is not fogged over in a red haze - Taro back pedals to take a place in the somewhat more defensible formation.

GAME: NEW ROUND!
      Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Two - Init 14.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Goblins is next!
<OOC> Yngvild says, "Channeling time, selective so only my fellows are healed"
GAME: Yngvild rolls 2d6: (5): 5
GAME: You damaged Yngvild for -5 points. 21 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Arlean for -5 points. 18 remaining.
GAME: You damaged Taro for -5 points. 26 remaining.
Yngvild's eyes burn bright with a fierce joy despite the tied threatening to overwhelm them. She does move as requested once the gap opens up. Once in position she starts her prayer again "WE STAND AMIDST THE TIDE IRON WARRIOR. STAND WITH US" she calls out to the heavens as the light in her eyes starts to glow brighter, engulfing those around her and soothing the edges of their wounds, her eyes narrowing down as she assumes a defensive stance.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Two - Init 10.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
The vigor and the blood frenzy that were in the eyes of the goblins seem to have dimmed when Arlean's Alchemist fire potion set fire to a number of them. Some draw back a little, but still others persist. These are the ones who are to blood-crazed to care or just are not aware of the deaths that are happening around them. Like green-rabid dogs with swords, they throw themselves against the wall that is the heroes themselves...
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (9)+2: 11
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (1)+2: 3
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (12)+2: 14
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (3): 3
<OOC> Benthus says, "Arlean is the unlucky recipient.."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (4): 4
GAME: You damaged Arlean for 4 points. 14 remaining.
The tide of goblins smash into the wall, clawing and stabbing, and bashing and gnashing. But only one of them manage to breech the stalwart heroes' defenses. And this one shrieks in delight in the pain that it has inflicted on Arlean.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Two - Init 9.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9
        One set of gashes is replaced with another! The crossbow in Arlean's left hand hits the dirt with a muffled *clack* of the action as the goblin's blade sinks through the leather and into his side, leaving his fingers to go momentarily nerveless. Letting out an oath that only a sailor could come up with, he pulls the spiked club from the loop on his belt. Another swing comes at him as he pauses, and he manages to dodge that , but his gashed side makes him suck in a breath of pain, and his own swing goes just a little awry in that off-balance moment.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Two - Init 5.
      It is now Taro's turn! Yngvild is next!
The goblins that was on fire expires after a long and agonizing attempt in putting it off by rolling on the ground...
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (7)+9: 16
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+10: (8)+10: 18
Taro hacks down another goblin, still trying to clear enough space so that the party isn't so surrounded. He manages to avoid the Goblin attacks this time, but he knows it's only a matter of time before he is struck again. Particularly surrounded as they are.

GAME: NEW ROUND!
      Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Three - Init 14.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Goblins is next!
GAME: Yngvild rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8
A quick glance around shows her comrades are not terribly wounded and so with a warcry that booms over the battlefield Yngvild hefts her earthbreaker. Which is not really the best weapon for a crush, being as it is about the size of a normal human. This shows with a somewhat awkward swing that manages to somehow miss every goblin in the crush of bodies "Fuck me" she growls out, her eyes blazing angrily.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Three - Init 10.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
Seeing that one of their numbers has managed to draw blood from their foes, the goblins renew their attack on the heroes...
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (9)+2: 11
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (12)+2: 14
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9
The goblins continue to hack and slash and push and shove, but their efforts is all for naught, as none of the heroes can be seen ailing from a new wound. This causes them to rethink their present situation. Again, some of the goblins begin to back away, but others continue.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Three - Init 9.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+3: (16)+3: 19
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d8+2: (6)+2: 8
        Flashing blades around him, the warm backs of his companions -- Arlean's sure glad the latter is there! But at least for all their sound and fury, they're not particular good with those pigstickers ... and that moment gives the bard a surge of hope. Suddenly grinning, he strikes out at the nearest goblin. Swinnnnngg batta! And part of a goblin's meager brainmeats go sailing over the sea of little buggers as the spiked club connects, crushing its little skull in. One down, lots to go....

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Three - Init 5.
      It is now Taro's turn! Yngvild is next!
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (16)+9: 25
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+10: (7)+10: 17
Taro is swinging his axe as fast as he can now, and a goblin seems to fall every other swing. "Fools!" he shouts at the next to die under his axe. "Bugs! You can't beat us!"

GAME: NEW ROUND!
      Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Four - Init 14.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Goblins is next!
GAME: Yngvild rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17
GAME: Yngvild rolls 2d6+4: (6)+4: 10
"Step forward and die!" Yngvild growls, her voice echoing over the din of battle. Her eyes burn with that same wild and fierce joy, lips moving up in a snarl. The massive hammer moves smoothly in her hands despite the huge weight, lashing up and down and crushing a goblin into the bloodied dirt beneath "WHO IS NEXT" she challenges as she flicks blood into the on coming.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Four - Init 10.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
The goblins that have backed away are not turning around and fleeing. The goblins in front of them are not even aware of it, but if they were, they would surely not have stayed. So these 'brave' goblins throw themselves once again into the meat grinder...
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (12)+2: 14
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (10)+2: 12
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (3): 3
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (2): 2
GAME: You damaged Arlean for 2 points. 12 remaining.
The goblins that continue to attack, battering against shields and axes and morningstars and plate armours and every other defenses that the heroes put up. Of all of them, only one manage to hit. And this time, his success doesn't seem to be as wonderful as the previous ones. Especially since the roaring crowd has trickled to only a few...

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Four - Init 9.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5
        Rather than Yngvild's fierce joy or Taro's wild abandon, Arlean fights with a determined focus, gritting his teeth all the more as another crimson line this time marks his forearm. The surprise forces his own swing wide this time, and he's not really paying attention to the tide becoming but a trickle. Not yet.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Four - Init 5.
      It is now Taro's turn! Yngvild is next!
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (15)+9: 24
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+10: (7)+10: 17
Taro spins halfway around and then beheads a goblin cleanly. Despite the chaos of the fight, Taro barks a laugh. "They're breaking!" he howls.

GAME: NEW ROUND!
      Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Five - Init 14.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Goblins is next!
GAME: Yngvild rolls 1d20+6: (16)+6: 22
GAME: Yngvild rolls 2d6+4: (4)+4: 8
THUD. The bloodstained hammerhead crunches into the chest of one of the remaining goblins. Is has enough force to pick the diminutive goblinoid up and hoist him back into the attack horde. Or at least what is left of it "ANGORON!" she booms in her pious warcry, hammer come up and around again.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Five - Init 10.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
The goblins may not understand what Taro is saying, but the looks on the heroes seem to deflate whatever rising hope they had of overcoming the three. And so, even more of the goblins begin to flee. So much so that shapes can be seen in the throng of goblins. You can actually see individual goblins now. But these goblins are persistent and they intend to hang the heroes heads on their trophy rooms...
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (15)+2: 17
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (10)+2: 12
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18
<OOC> Benthus says, "4 hits."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (3): 3
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (3): 3
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d3: (3): 3
<OOC> Benthus shakes his head. "It's the dice's call."
<OOC> Benthus says, "Sorry, Arlean."
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (4): 4
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (3): 3
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (2): 2
GAME: You damaged Arlean for 9 points. 3 remaining.
The remaining goblins gang up on Arlean and three of them manage to cut, stab, and smash at him. Suddenly, there is renewed hope in the eyes of the remaining goblins. Few they are, but hopeful few they be.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Five - Init 9.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11
        Arlean, less well-armored than the others, is definitely taking the brunt of this fight! In the blink of an eye, three more gashes appear in armor, clothing, and skin, some of them deep, and his own swing goes awry as he staggers before he rights himself, gritting his teeth yet again. "Bilge-rats. You're not taking ... me down!" 

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Five - Init 5.
      It is now Taro's turn! Yngvild is next!
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+10: (12)+10: 22
Taro notices Arlean getting hit again. A frown briefly crosses his features, and he launches a swing at one of the human's attackers. Taro's expression turns to one of triumph as another small attacker falls.

GAME: NEW ROUND!
      Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Six - Init 14.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Goblins is next!
GAME: Yngvild rolls 2d8+3: (11)+3: 14
<OOC> Yngvild says, "Casting defensively"
GAME: You damaged Arlean for -14 points. 17 remaining.
Goblins don't seem to want to take a hint, and the poor fragile bard seems to be taking the worst of it. Yngvild, remembering she is a cleric, moves to hold her hammer in one hand as she lays the other on Arlean's shoulder. A kind of wild warmth fills him as she channels the healing power of her deity "Be healed and fight on" she blesses him as she lets go to heft her earthshatterer again.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Six - Init 10.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
Fewer and fewer are their numbers to the point that you can now count them. There are actually four goblins left. It is either they are very very brave, or completely insane. But these four goblins, out of the multitude that ganged up on the three earlier, are the only ones remaining. And they still got fire in their eyes...
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (9)+2: 11
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
And the four miss their marks...

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Six - Init 9.
      It is now Arlean's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5
        Arlean immediately straightens as Angoron's power wraps him in warmth, healing his wounds. In the blink of an eye, they're gone save but for traces and a scratch here and there; she can almost hear his sigh of relief. "Thank ye mate," he mutters in a thick sailor's accent; his own swing goes awry as he moves just in time to dodge a goblin swing. 

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Six - Init 5.
      It is now Taro's turn! Yngvild is next!
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (15)+9: 24
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+10: (4)+10: 14
Taro is slowing down slightly, perhaps due to less enemies pressing, perhaps because he's growing tired. He sends his axe crashing into a goblin, sneering as it falls. "How many more?!" he shouts, to no one in particular.

GAME: NEW ROUND!
      Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Seven - Init 14.
      It is now Yngvild's turn! Goblins is next!
GAME: Yngvild rolls 1d20+6: (8)+6: 14
Yngvild spins her hammer in between her armored hands as the goblin horde is whittled down one by one around her. Reveling in the chance to pretend to be an actual warrior, the Warrior of Angoron lashes out again, only to have a more agile goblin slide out of the way of the competitively slow moving mass of steel.

GAME: Benthus advances the initiative order.
      Round Seven - Init 10.
      It is now Goblins' turn! Arlean is next!
It would appear that the three remaining goblins are just realizing that it is just them now. And seeing that their foes are still standing, and only sporting minor injuries, they drop their swords and shield and start screaming as they make a run for it...
<OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, everyone, roll AoO."
GAME: Arlean rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11
The goblin that was in front of Arlean manages to scamper away...
GAME: Yngvild rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18
GAME: Yngvild rolls 2d6+4: (8)+4: 12
Said goblin tries to take the chance to skitter away altogether. Yngvild's face twists in an expression of contempt as she takes the chance to get in an attack, the hammer lashing out to splatter his head into a bloody mass of blood, bone and brain. As one starts to get away she hoists her hammer and shakes it at the retreating goblin "OI! GET BACK HERE. I AIN'T DONE KILLING YOU YET"
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (18)+9: 27
GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+10: (6)+10: 16

Taro braces himself to ward off a blow and nearly stumbles when it doesn't come. He looks around and then realizes what is happening. "No you don't!" he shouts, cutting down a goblin before it can get away.
 
Arlean's about to ward off another blow, but it never comes -- and surprised, he's off-beat as the goblin turns tail and runs like the rat it is. He lashes out with the morningstar, but too late, and it's gone before he can catch it. He relaxes, and runs a bloodied hand across his brow, breathing hard; he's fairly covered in blood, much of it his. At least he appears to now be okay thanks to Yngvild's ministrations. "Goes better wit' t'chanty," he mutters to himself, letting the bloodied morningstar come to rest on his boot.

The area soon becomes quiet when the last of the screeching goblins disappear from view. Surrounding the heroes is a pile of goblin corpses, some of them may not be truly be dead, but they are breathing very laboriously, and without any aid, they will certainly die in the field of combat...

(DM added pose)
Soon news of the liberation of the nearby farm that was swarmed by goblins reaches the city.  When the original owners, the wife and child of the murdered man, heard of the news, they rejoiced.  When asked about who did the deed, most could not provide an answer.  But rumours coming from rumour-mongers speak of an orc, an Aesir woman, and a man did the job.  The mother and child return to their farm, sad at the state it is in, but more hopeful of the future.