Almaric’s Tale: Goblin Patrol
Sensing that time is short and that the Goblins will discover him regardless of whatever he does, Almaric retrieves one of the previously looted goblin spears from his saddle and throws it into the undergrowth behind and to the right of the patrol.
[/OOC No roll needed since you weren’t trying to hit anything in particular - it’s pretty darn hard to miss a forest!]
The sudden noise catches the attention of the Goblins and they immediately start swivelling their small green heads as they try and locate the source of the disturbance.
[/OOC Roll for surprise, they had no hope of seeing it because they weren’t paying any attention at all. Normally, surprise only occurs on a 1 or 2 on a d6, but since the Goblins are inattentive and Almaric has successfully hidden himself, I give a bonus of +2. Target throw is now 1-4, roll is (3) = SUCCESS]
They begin arguing again - this time about what the noise was and where it came from. This has left them off-guard and ripe for an ambush.
Snatching up his bow, Almaric quickly sights in on the closest Goblin…
[/OOC Initiatives for Round 1: Not needed, the Goblins are surprised so don’t get to act.
Goblin #1 is 30’ away which is well within short range for the longbow.
Throw needed, 9+. Rolls (13) + 2 (surprise mod.) - **(Goblin #1’s AC) = HIT!
Damage from shot, (6)+2 = 8 HP. KILLSHOT!
Because there is another Goblin within 5’ of Goblin #1, Almaric can attempt to CLEAVE a bowshot into it.
Throw needed, 9+. Rolls (9) + 2 (surprise mod.) - **(Goblin #2’s AC) = HIT!!
Damage from shot, (6)+2 = 8 HP. CLEAVING DOUBLE KILLSHOT!!
Although there is another Goblin within 5’ of the last downed foe, Almaric’s level is too low to allow him another cleave attempt.]
…time seems to slow as all of Almaric’s focus narrows into a point just below the yammering Goblin’s chin. There is the briefest of spurts as the arrowshaft and flight rip through the suddenly silent Goblin’s throat, only to reappear a second later in the eye socket of his unlucky friend behind him. Both slump to the ground, the sound of their falling bodies causing the two remaining creatures to spin back around and gape at their fallen allies. They goggle at the bodies and then at each other and then catch sight of Almaric, grinning evilly at them through the bushes…
[/OOC Their numbers have just been halved. Time for a morale check for the remaining guards!
RULE: Morale check
The Judge usually makes morale rolls under two conditions: when one side of an encounter has lost a member due to death, or when half the group on one side is either killed or otherwise incapacitated. If both results occur in the same round, one morale roll is made at a -2 penalty.
Roll, 2d6(8) - 2(penalty for losing half their number in the first round!)= 6. FIGHT ON]
It almost looked like they were going to break and retreat but with a sudden angry yell, they brandish their swords and run at Almaric…
[/OOC I have enough rolls from you so I’ll continue in to Round 2.
Initiatives for round 2: Almaric (5+1)=6, Goblins (10) - I’ll do both Goblins together this time because they are next to each other, unlike the ones at the bridge.]
The two Goblins dash towards Almaric and burst through the undergrowth in front of him. Before Almaric can react properly, he finds himself under attack from two sides, facing swift stabs and slashes from their short swords.
[/OOC They have swords so even if the bushes weren’t in the way, they wouldn’t be able to charge.
Goblin #3 attacks. Rolls (3) - Almaric’s shieldless AC(5) = -2. MISS
Goblin #4 attacks. Rolls (4) - Almaric’s shieldless AC(5) = -1. Oh FFS!!Dodgy MISS.]
Almaric manages to easily evade his two antagonists as he dodges and feints their attacks. Dropping his bow, he grabs his battle axe in a two-handed grip and swings it, waist high, towards the Goblin on his right flank…
[/OOC Almaric needs an 8+. He rolls (11) -(Goblin #3’s AC) = 8. HIT… just (jammy bastige!)
Damage from double-handed axe blow, (7) + 2 (STR mod.) + 1 (Ftr. mod.) = 10 HP (more than double the poor buggers HP)… KILLSHOT!
Although Goblin #4 is further away from Goblin #3, Almaric is allowed to move up to 5’ to make a CLEAVE attempt.
Cleaving double-handed axe attack on Goblin #4. Needs an 8+. Rolls (18) -(Goblin #4’s AC) = 15. Solid HIT.
Damage from axe-blow, (1) HA! + 2 (STR mod.) + 1 (Ftr. mod.) = 4 HP, he would still be up so I play your POWER ATTACK bonus card and the damage goes up to MAX(8) + 2 (STR mod.) + 1 (Ftr. mod.) = 11. CLEAVING DOUBLE-KILLSHOT! Angry (I hate you!)LOL]
…where the axe-head connects with the Goblin, just above its hip. With a satisfying squelch, the blade passes through the hapless creature, severing its spine and leaving it in two twitching halves. Spinning on the spot, Almaric uses his momentum to continue the battleaxe’s arc into the chest of the surprised foe to his left. The Goblin is flung backwards into a bush, its ribcage a ruined mess.
Almaric cocks his head to one side, listening for further sounds of patrols that may have been alerted by the combat but the woods have fallen silent, almost as if in awe at the power of the young hero.
Until Osgar spoils the moment by farting.