Cat is definitely confused.  Garious is out hunting and getting some much needed rest.  So how did the old woman know.  And know to speak to her in THAT language.  She holds up her hand to the others and says "Wait here, friend.  This could be very important.  I don't think the old woman is what she seems."

   Cat approaches the woman carefully, trying to see if she is faking sleep.  She stays three feet away and then speaks a strange language back to the old woman.

[Private to DM: Excuse me, ma'am.  Do you know me?]

If she's faking being asleep, she's REALLY good.

[Private to Garth Oakenshield: Garth knows Niska Mvashti is the mysterious Varisian wise woman and was old 40 years ago when the town was founded.  She has a deep connection to the land(Druid) and is know as a seer.]

  Cat examines the woman closer, and then pushes on her with her hand to see if she'll wake up and speak to her.

"Yes, indeed, Mr. Voon,  Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Zer-wedula.  This," indicating Willi, now tugging ona stray hair, "is Willi."

"We are in need of an inn of the finer qualities.  Could you perhaps help a traveller?"

Zer-wedula fell in step with the man as they trod towards town.

Zer-wedula - "And hello to you Willi.  Well I would recommend the White Deer.  It was rebuilt after the "Late Unpleasantness" a few years ago and is in Uptown.  Some people prefer the Rusty Dragon, and I must admit it has nicer, ummm, "scenery".  Anyway, welcome to Sandpoint, stop by my place, The Feathered Serpent, if you want to talk.  Nice meeting you, but I have to go, I must check on my shipment to make sure it's ok.  "  He gives you directions to the White Deer and leaves, greeting people as he goes.  He seems a friendly sort.

Catessa Fallowfield - You seem to have attracted the attention of a Varisian family passing by.  Your poking does start to rouse her, and she mutters half awake "Who, what...."
<I was hoping for Garth to jump in and say something.  He is a local and knows something.>

  Cat noticed the family looking at her, and turns to explain "She fell asleep while we were talking."  But quickly resume her light pushing "Excuse me, ma'am.  Wake up please."

Garth seems a bit slow on the uptake but he quickly regains his composure after hearing the old woman address him and his eyes widen a bit in shock as the halfling pokes the drowsy old woman, "Hey now, what be you doing, poking the old wise woman like that?  She is the wise woman of Swallowtail, old when the town was first built and deserves a bit more respect then that now, eh?" He moves over to the old woman, "My apologies old one, but they are new to Swallowtail."  He then seems to think back upon her earlier words and his face takes a sorrowful cast, "You know of Mara and her marriage, I am disgraced in the town.  I suppose it is my fate to go through life alone..." 
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:02, Thu 08 Jan 2009.

Piping up from her perch on Garth's back Naomi tweaks his ear slightly.  "Yer not alone anymore silly.  Now, what's this about disgraced?  I only see from what you said that your Beaux moved on while you were away.  What else happened?"  She says wrapping her arms once more around his shoulders and neck comfortably.

Glum nodded to the wise one and, taking Catessa's hand, he said, "Come, let us to the Rusty Dragon and leave the Lady to snooze in peace.  We'll come and see her tomorrow as she seems to have suggested, when the time is right whatever that means."

   With Garth's words, Cat ceases her attempt to wake the woman.  She walks back toward Garth and speaks "Does she do that often?  See or know things?  What is her name?  I thought she knew me, or more importantly, was of my order.  I had the sense she had something important to tell me.  But if she's just a seer, I'll let her sleep.  We might as well keep going."  She gently holds Glum's arm and resumes walking.

[OOC: I was gently pushing her like one might do to wake someone, not poking her.  Probably her leg, given my height.]

As the old woman straightens up a little and seems to focus again.  She says something in an unknown language to Cat.  [Private to Catessa Fallowfield: <I assumed it was gentle and on an arm or leg,
in druidic> "Wake their mother from hibernation early young bear cubs know not to do."]Then she looks at Garth and fixes him with a stare "Stop that nonsense right now young man," and looks back at Cat "and now is the time for fun.  Our Mother is patient, she will wait till tomorrow.... and so will I.  Besides, the proper number you still lack."  With that she makes dismissing motions with her hand.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:01, Thu 22 Jan 2009.

  Cat bows to the wise woman respectfully and says "Forgive me for the disturbance, Lady.  I will return tomorrow."

Zer-Wedula followed Voon’s directions to the White Deer.  He placed Willi down in a pocket on the front of his robe, both for her safety and as a potential surprise for pickpockets.  She stuck her head out, sniffing.

He paused here and there to take in the sights and sounds of the festival.  There was much to see, much to learn, and adventure to be had.

Entering the White Deer, he sought out the proprietor and said, “Master Voon sent me here in search of lodgings.  Are any to be had?”

Startled out of his bout of self-pity by the sharp words of the wise woman, Garth blinks a few times then turns an embarrased red and bows, "Forgive me wise Niska, you are right."  Bowing one more time he turns quickly and moves along behind the others.  Bending towards Catessa as he follows he speaks in low tones until he thinks they are out of earshot of the old woman, "That is Niska Mvashti, she is older then anyone I have ever met and they say she can see through time.  Her magic is powerful I warrant so most likely she was looking into your head to see what she wanted to know.  It is wise to tread carefully with a seer as she can hex you if you anger her."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Fri 09 Jan 2009.

   Cat looks suitably chastised.  But nothing keeps a good halfling down for long.  "I've probably been in the wilderness a bit too long.  I'll have to remember to treat people like I treat a sacred forest.   Well I'm famished.  Let's find that inn.".  With that she is ready to go again.

Noon
Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square,
"Many ages ago, an avatar of the blessed goddess warred with the Mother of Monsters. The avatar was wounded, and plummeted from the Heavens. Her wounds were mortal; she was dying. But lo! an orphan of man found her! Though she herself was blind and but a child, she nursed the avatar back to health. The avatar of the goddess was very thankful for the selfless deeds of the child, and in thanks transformed her into an immortal butterfly.
As a butterfly, the child could forever fly be it day or be it night. All the wonders of the world she did see, and forever she was beloved of Desna.
In remembrance of this holy event, we honor the child and the avatar. And now, we release the Children of Desna!".
At that signal, they pull aside the wagon’s cover, releasing the thousand children of Desna—a furious storm of a thousand swallowtail butterflies that swarm into the air in a spiraling riot of color to a great cheer from the crowd. Throughout the rest of the day, children futilely chase butterflies, never quite quick enough to catch them.
    Lunch is provided free, at the expense of Sandpoint’s taverns. Each brings its best dishes—this event is a marketing push by the taverns as much to win new customers as it is to feed a hungry crowd. It soon becomes apparent that the darling of the lunch is, once again, Ameiko Kaijitsu, whose remarkable curry-spiced salmon and early winterdrop mead easily overshadow the other offerings, such as the Hagfish’s lobster chowder or the White Deer’s peppercorn venison.

Catessa , Garth, Glum and Naomi -
   have a wonderful lunch at the Rusty Dragon.  The proprieter, Ameiko Kaijitsu, is human, but most definitely not Cheliax, Varisian or Shoanti.  She must be from the other side of the world.  She is exotically beautiful and has a hairdo that defies gravity.  Her hair sticks out on each side of her head like a bird cage and has living butterflies in it.  Garth can tell you that Niska Mvashti is a druid, the most respected Varisian wise woman around, older than dirt (she was old 40 years ago when the town was built) and something of a mystic/seer.
    Time flies when you're having fun and the afternoon passes quickly.  Garth recognizes many people, and many recognize him, eventually.  He does see a drop-dead gorgeous halfelf woman he remembers, being escorted by a handsome cheliaxian he doesn't.  The man is Cyrdak Drokkus, bard/owner of the Sandpoint Theater and the woman is Rynshinn Povalli, the prettiest girl in town when Garth was growing up.  Her mother owned a tailor shop, but he doesn't remember a father.

Talis Revain -
    wanders around, getting reacquainted with Sandpoint.  He recognizes many people, but few people recognize him.  You also see Cyrdak Drokkus and Rynshinn Povalli.  You remember her from when you were 10ish and she was a teenager, the most beautiful teenager around.
<Your character was about 10/11, had he hit puberty before he left?  Yes- oh yeah, you remember her.  No- now you see why all the other boys liked her.>

Zer-wedula -
The White Deer
    A pair of wooden life-sized deer, carved with painstaking care from white birch, stand astride the entrance to this sizable tavern and inn. The White Deer commands an impressive view of the Varisian Gulf to the north. This new building is a grand affair, three stories tall with a stone first floor and wooden upper floors.  It looks very clean and well maintained.  Inside you find a somber Shoanti man taking care of business.  "Sorry sir but all my rooms are full, but I hear some may leave tonight.  Check back after the final ceremonies at sundown" and then carefully takes your name.  Unlike at home, your halfelfness doesn't cause even a glance.  The only thing that mars the day is when Willi gives a little noise.  You look down to find a young (10 or so) Varisian kid pulling his hand out of your pocket.  Reacting faster than you, he slips into the crowd and you lose him.

Evening
    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.  The shape that raced by and killed the dog now hides at the edge of the wagon—a single goblin, licking the blood from its dogslicer as it looks excitedly at the crowd, seeking out a new target.
<To save time I rolled your spot and initiative.  I've got good news and bad news.  Good news, only 1 pc was surprised.  Bad news, the goblin got initiative on almost everyone.  I haven't yet found a map program I like, so no maps.  I will try to keep the tactical descriptions descriptive.  Give me all the rolls for the turn at 1 time.  Normally,you may post in any order and I will use common sense if the situation changes substantially.  Read the "Tactical situation", it could vary from round to round.>



Tactical situation - surprise round
See the Game Map for details:
Talis Revain and Zer-wedula(blue dot) are 30' N of the goblin under the cart, about 10' apart (at the corner of the building south of bldg 5).
The goblin(red dot) is south of them in the alley under a cart (there is no horse and its empty).
Naomi, Catessa, Glum and Garth(black dot) are 30' E of the goblin, across the road.
There are people, tables and chairs scattered everywhere except for a 10' radius around the goblin.
 - Soft cover, +4ac from ranged attacks, misses might hit a person unless you take an additional -4 (like shooting into melee)
 - free action start of turn; make a tumble or ref (dc15) or movement costs x2(move 5' costs 10' of move) and no charging.
There is screaming all around, so whatever is happening isn't only in this area and the crowd is moving away from any goblin.

ORDER
Talis Revain
goblins
Naomi
Zer-wedula
Catessa Surprised = no action
Glum
Garth
crowd


FOR THIS ROUND, Talis POST 1 ACTION AND THE REST NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE GOBLIN HAS GONE!

Remember; only 1 action in a surprise round
Also, be aware that you were attending a festival, not preparing for combat when you assume what your character has on.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:25, Fri 09 Jan 2009.

"The hells?" Talis cursed, confused by the sudden shift in demeanor at the first scream. One glance of something scurrying put the rogue on the deffensive, figuring the movement at first to be a Kobold, accidentally running into the crowd. His sympathies were cut short though, as the sound of a dogs yelp and an inhuman laugh. "Get back! Talis shouted loudly, towards the people still nearby the creature. He took a step forward, and tore his sword free, discarding the sheath with a toss. He wasn't the greatest warrior, or even very good by any measure of the word, but he did have a weapon with him, and Talis didn't see any guards close by. Gritting his teeth, he kept his eyes towards the creature, calculating his course of action.

OOC: Drawing a sword, and staying where I am.

<
Goblin1
Goblin2
Goblin3
Goblin4
Goblin5
Goblin6
>

Goblin1 under the cart looks around, kicks the dogs corpse as he moves 10' E under a table (hard cover), menacing people as they mill around in confusion.  For someone who was giggling insanely just a moment ago, he is disturbingly quiet and sneaky now.  And it turns out, he isn't alone (ok, the screams from all around indicated that.)

Goblin2 runs down the alley and jumps onto the cart above where Goblin1 had been (high ground) and howling with glee.

Goblin3 and Goblin4 are 30' S of Naomi, Catessa, Glum and Garth(black dot) on the other side of a table.  They both run up to that table and start a tug-of-war over a leg of lamb.  At the same time, they are trying to attack people on opposite sides with their dogslicers.  "mine", "mine", "mine",...(in goblin)

Goblin5 and Goblin6 are 30' W of Talis Revain and Zer-wedula(blue dot).  Goblin5 leaps 5' N from the backside of the building with a sack(2 hands) and uses it to grab a small animal(small dog or cat maybe).  Goblin6 charges 10' N up to a table and knocks over a candle, which lands in some spilled alcohol.  Whoosh, the table is on fire.  This seems to surprise and delight the goblins. The table is a good 10' from the building, with no one in immediate danger of anyone being burned.




EVERYONE ELSE POST THEIR SURPRISE ROUND ACTIONS,
Talis MAY POST HIS ROUND 1 ACTION

You do not have to post in initiative order,
but I will resolve actions in initiative order.
I will use common sense and give your characters the benefit of their adventurer/skilled status if the situation changes substantially.

Remember; only 1 action in a surprise round.

Also, be aware that you were attending a festival, not preparing for combat when you assume what your character has on.

Check the game map, I will try to update positions as the combat progresses.

  Catessa yells "Garious!" and then whistles loudly.  But the call and whistle get lost in the noise of the crowd.

[OOC: 08:27, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 8 using 1d20. Call Garious.
I think it might get a +1 from strength, or a +0 from constitution.  But either way, I don't think that'll be loud enough to carry. ]

"Nine Hells on The Hoof!" Naomi curses arming her celestial given energies blue white whisps form around her hands and begin to leak from her eyes till a critical crescendo where she launches the bolt at the goblin who jumped up on top of the table (G2).

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

07:21, Today: Naomi Armastance rolled 7 using 1d20+4. Point Blank Ranged Touch Attack.

---

Garth's hand reaches instinctively for the hilt of his sword as the cries of the reveler's are heard, only then does he remember that he left his sword and armor back at his room in the White Deer, where he had taken a room upon his return home.  He is forced to rely only upon the long dagger sheaved at his waist, which he now draws in a savage fashion even as he reverts into battlefield frame of mind.  He crouches low and looks toward the goblins even while he roars out in his most fearsome battlecry!!

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
13:49, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 2 using 1d20+1. Reflex save.
13:48, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Intimidate Goblins.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Fri 09 Jan 2009.

First of all, Glum was too slow in reacting to the Goblin threat.  Then when he took a couple of steps toward the two fighting over a leg of lamb [Private to DM: [10' E towards goblins 3&4]] and roared at them in goblin in what he hoped was a hobgoblin voice, [Private to DM: "No, it's MINE"] all he succeeded in doing was start the goblins giggling all over again.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

16:09, Today: Glum rolled 1 using 1d20. Intimidate two goblins.
16:08, Today: Glum rolled 11 using 1d20+4. Reflex save.

---

Talis spied a few more goblins, and decided it was time to take an action. Having grown up in Riddleport, he had become accustomed with chasing people through a crowd, and this would be no different. Shifting his weight, he made a mad dash through the crowd, weeving and lightly nudging his way along quickly, eyes set on the well illuminated goblin who just started a fire. Raising his sword up high, Talis used his speed to aid his attack on the smaller foe.


Attacking Goblin #6
to hit:19 (21 if I can charge)
damage: 9 (13 if sneak attack applies)

14:54, Today: Talis Revain rolled 19 using 1d20+2. attack goblin 6 (+2 if I can charge).
14:51, Today: Talis Revain rolled 26 using 1d20+7. tumble to move.
14:56, Today: Talis Revain rolled 9 using 2d6+3. Damage.

"Hiding under a cart will not save you," Zer-wedula shouts, hopefully loud enough so that the armed man (?) he remembers from the ship will hear him.

He moved quickly (5' step) behind said armed man.

(As I never picked spells, I still think it is safe to assume that as an enchanter I have Charm Person)

"I will make you my thrall!" he stated as he cast his spell.

Zer-wedula swears mightily as his human shield runs off.

Surprise Round
Naomi fired a bolt of enery at the Goblin on the cart and misses (singeing the hair of a woman in the crowd between them).
[Private to Naomi Armastance: there was no goblin on a table (under a table or on a cart)]

Zer-wedula casts a spell looking at the goblins to the south.  Goblin1, under the table, glances at him, shakes his head and stares at Zer-wedula until his attention is drawn to the big man with the dagger.
[Private to Zer-wedula: you will need to pick spells in the future,   otherwise I suggest (and will allow) a change to sorcerer.  I do agree, charm person is a logical spell choice.  However, I rolled a 19 to save.]

Glum pushes through the crowd and says something in goblin to goblins 3 and 4, who ignore him in their argument over the leg.
[Private to Glum: Intimidate is usable on 1 target, which you must be close enough to hit, and is a standard action.  This cannot be combined with a move action in a surprise round, also that would be 10' S toward 3 and 4]

Garth pulls out his dagger and gives a mighty battle cry, which attracts the attention of goblins 1 and 2  who jabber something, but Glum doesn't hear what in the confusion.
[Private to Garth Oakenshield: Intimidate is usable on 1 target, which you must be close enough to hit, and is a standard action.  This cannot be combined with a draw weapon action in a surprise round.  Draw weapon could be combined with a move action.]


Now that the crowds have had time to run, there are 30' radius clear areas around the goblins and you can see them clearly.  They are wearing nasty looking leathers and carrying makeshift blades called dogslicers (basically poor daggers).  Confusion is rampant, with crys and screams coming from all over and no sight of any guards.  It looks like you are the only ones between these goblins and many unarmed people.

Round 1
Talis now with a clear path, charges goblin 6.  Swinging his great sword, he catches the goblin solidly in the side, cutting through leather armor with ease and slamming his target against the burning table.  The goblin falls senseless to the ground, blood flowing from a gaping wound in his side, matching the blood on the sword.

Goblin1 - From under his table (cover) he reaches up with his off hand and blindly grabs some food, eats a bite and stuffs the rest in his pocket keeping an eye on Garth, his dogslicer at ready.

Goblin2 - Looks around, wanting to find a softer target than a big man with a dagger and sees Zer-wedula.  Charge...as he leaps from the cart he doesn't notice that his dogslicer hits the corner, which snaps the blade.  So when he arrives to threaten Zer-wedula he has no weapon.
<and that is a natural 1, which automatically breaks dogslicers>

Goblin3 - pulls the leg away from goblin4 and then around to runs to the
end of the table and starts eating, leg in 1 hand and dogslicer in the other.

Goblin4 - screams in frustration at the loss of the leg.  He then climbs up on the table and throws some food at goblin3.  With a murderous glint in his eye, he looks at the dwarf.  "Someone is gonna pay"

Goblin5 -   holds the bag in his off hand, draws his dogslicer and swings at Talis, hitting for 4 dam.





<be sure to include hits, dam, and all other rolls you need in 1 post.  If you don't I will roll it for you.
Be sure to track your hp on your character sheet
Your voice colors match your dot colors and goblins are blue on the game map>

Tactical situation
Zer-wedula are 30'N of the goblin1, next to 2 and 30'E of 5
Talis is in melee with 5, 30'W of 2
Naomi, Catessa, and Garth are 40'SE of 2, 20'E of 1, 25'N of 3 and 4
Glum is 15'N of 3 and 4, 35'E of goblin2, 25'E of 1

There are people, tables and chairs scattered everywhere except for a 30' radius around the goblins, so for the most part the crowds are no longer a factor.
            has taken hp dam/status
Goblin1               0
Goblin2               0   weaponless
Goblin3               0
Goblin4               0
Goblin5               0
Goblin6               9   down