Catessa Fallowfield & Garious  and Garth
The sheriff tells you to see Daviren Hosk at the "Goblin Squash Stables"<area 38>.  You can see the horse and cart so you can confirm if a farmer claims them.  You can also pickup some pointers on goblns, Hosk is a retired goblin hunter.

On the way you stop off at the armory where you battled the goblins.  Savah is hard at work but quickly puts it aside to greet Garth with a warm smile.  She reclaims her chain shirt and unfinished mw bastard sword.<it was a loaner>  She offers to sell it to Garth for 1/2 price, once it's finished (will take about a week).  Anything else can purchased for 20% off (to the whole group).  She also asks about the crossbow she loaned the elf.

When you arrive with a guard (to tell Hosk the sheriff wants you to see the horse), you see a sign of a horse stomping on a goblin and over the barn entrance a large collection of preserved goblin ears with writing burned on them.  Hosk is an older Cheliaxian, who is gruff until he realizes who you are.  Then he welcomes you as comrades and fellow goblin slayers.  He even shows you his latest project, 4 new ears from the goblins he killed yesterday.  This old man (still hardy and hale, but past his prime) sure must have been something.  He is difficult to understand, a scar on his throat is testimony to a close call in the past.
"They hate that.  Them gobs think writen the'r name steals the'r soul.  But if ya ask me, they aint got no soul" and grins a vicious smile. "But you aint come to see my pride, I'll tell you about gob's they is mean vicious brutes who would just a soon eat ya as look at ya.  They's hungry from birth to death and then some.  They's stupid and crazy with no thought of consequences.  I once caught 1 hide'en in a oven were he had fallen a'sleep.  Stupid.  But don't under'estem 'em, they's sneaky bastards.  After seeing the horse, easily identifiable by a druid, you spend the morning talking to the old man about goblins.  By then it's time to see the Niska.



1: Horse Hate: Goblins excel at riding animals, but they don’t quite get horses. In fact, their hatred of all things horse is matched only by their fear of horses, who tend to step on goblins who get too close.
2: Dog Hate: Although goblins raise horrible rat-faced creatures called (creatively enough) goblin dogs to use as mounts (and ride wolves or worgs if they can get them—goblins are quick to explain that wolves are NOT dogs), their hatred of plain old dogs nearly matches their hatred of horses. The feeling is mutual. If your dog’s barking at the woodpile for no reason, chances are he smells a frightened goblin hiding in there somewhere.
3: Goblins Raid Junkyards: Garbage pits, gutters, sewers… anywhere there’s garbage, you can bet goblins are nearby. Goblins are weirdly adept at crafting weapons and armor from refuse, and are fond of killing people with what they throw away.
4: Goblins Love to Sing: Unfortunately, as catchy as their lyrics can be, goblin songs tend to be a bit too creepy and disturbing to catch on in polite society.
5: They’re Sneaky: An excited or angry goblin is a noisy, chattering, toothy menace, but even then, he can drop into an unsettling silence in a heartbeat. This, matched with their diminutive size, makes them unnervingly adept at hiding in places you’d never expect: stacks of firewood, rain barrels, under logs, under chicken coops, in ovens…
6: They’re A Little Crazy: The fact that goblins think of things like ovens as good hiding places reveals much about their inability to think plans through to the most likely outcome. That, and they tend to be easily distracted, particularly by shiny things and animals smaller than them that might make good eating.
7: They’re Voracious: Given enough supplies, a goblin generally takes nearly a dozen meals a day. Most goblin tribes don’t have enough supplies to accommodate such ravenous appetites, which is why the little menaces are so prone to going on raids.
8: They Like Fire: Burning things is one of the great goblin pastimes, although they’re generally pretty careful about lighting fires in their own lairs, especially since goblins tend to live in large tangled thistle patches and sleep in beds of dried leaves and grass. But give a goblin a torch and someone else’s home and you’ve got trouble.
9: They Get Stuck Easily: Goblins have wiry frames but wide heads. They live in cramped warrens. Sometimes too cramped.
10: Goblins Believe Writing Steals Your Soul: The walls of
goblin lairs and the ruins of towns goblins have raided are littered
with pictures of their exploits. They never use writing,
though. That’s not lucky. Writing steals words out of your
head. You can’t get them back.

<The distance you need to travel isn't great.  Maybe 20 miles for the whole trip.  You can get a horse if you want speed, but that would attract goblin attention.  They are more likely to overlook 2 people (and a dog).  Your choice, speed or stealth.
Goals - ask about the horse and cart
      - ask about/look for goblin activity
      - find the elven ranger Shalelu Andosana>
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Tue 27 Jan 2009.

Catessa Fallowfield & Garious  and Garth
As you head toward Niskas, you pass <area 36>the Sandpoint Meat Market and who should be coming out of the market with a basket in hand is Garths old flame, Mara.  She gasps as she sees Garth and drops her basket, spilling it's contents onto the ground.  Ignoring the spill she says "Garth, I heard you were back in town.  How are you?" as she stares into Garth's eyes.

Mara is an average looking Varisian young woman.

<I am assuming you never actually saw her, but heard from unimpeachable sources (your cousin or her parents) that she was married and perhaps saw her from a distance/inside her home with her husband>
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:01, Wed 28 Jan 2009.

   When Catessa sees by Garth's reaction that this is Garth's old girlfriend, she gets a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.  She doesn't mask her feeling well enough from Garious, because he begins to growl at the girl.  Cat doesn't like where this might go, but she hesitates to act right now because Garth might need to get things off his chest.  But finally, she recognizes that he might be blindsided by this, and thus not ready to face this.  She gently, but firmly pulls at Garth's clothes and says "Hey Garth.  I don't think this is the right time for a reunion.  We have a mission, remember?"

Regarding his lost love through angry and hurt eyes, Garth looks over at Catessa and speaks quietly, "I wont cause no scene."  Then looking back to Mara, he merely nods curtly to the woman, "Mara, I hear you are to be married.  I am sure you will lead a happy life.  I reckon I dont have time to sit here jawing, the sheriff gave me an important job to complete.  Good day."  He turns to move stiffly past Mara.

   Cat pats Garth on the back of the leg in a gesture of comfort.  She waits to speak though at this time, waiting to see how the situation will resolve itself.  Cat does not know what sort of woman Mara is, but she won't meddle more than is necessary to keep her from ripping out Garth's heart a second time.

Mara silently watches as Garth goes by, shooting Cat a "if-looks-could-kill" look before looking away and saying wistfully "bye... Garth".

   Mara's reaction is strange to Garth.  Something doesn't quite ring right about her actions.  Was that jealousy?  Regret?  What was going on.  Painful as it might be to Garth, Cat can't restrain her halfling curiousity any longer.  Not to mention that Garth needs to know as much as Cat wants too.  Cat stops and turns to Mara and asks loudly "Why, Mara?  Do you still love Garth?  What went wrong?"

Mara seems a little confused and surprised by Cats question.  She pauses as she bends over to pick up her basket.  She says quietly, "What does it matter now, I'm married and Garth has you" and she turns to walk away.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:07, Thu 29 Jan 2009.

   Cat shows a surprising amount of wisdom, for a halfling "Everything we do matters, for better or for worse.  All actions have consequences.  And Garth is not my lover, he's my traveling companion."  She looks at the huge human and wonders how the girl could think the two of them could possibly ever mate.  The size difference would prove almost insurmountable.  Without the aid of magic at least.

<I don't know, there are halfdragons and such....boggles the mind doesn't it>

She pauses and looks at Garth, "I'm sorry, I saw you together and I just assumed... I'm sorry".

  Cat backs up now.  This is a private moment between Garth and Mara.  She feels like an intruder at this point, and so waits with Garious out of ear range.

Garth seems to pause as he hears the sorrow in Mara's voice but then he remembers that it was she who did not wait for him and speaking in clipped tones, "We all make our own choices, apparently you made yours."  He then turns a final cold shoulder to the girl and moves on.  He does not speak again for some time.  Finally, he turns to Catessa, "We must be careful outside the village, there are things other then goblins that call the wilds home."  It is apparent he does not plan to speak further regarding Mara.

   Cat watches as Garth resolves the situation for himself.   Cat nods as Garth speaks about other creatures.  She says "Yeah, I'm familiar with some of them.  If we run into creatures, follow my lead.  I can try to convince animals not to attack us.  As for others, it might be best to avoid them.  I think we should get you a horse so we can possible outrun such foes when necessary."

Garth grunts his acquiessence to allowing Catessa to speak for them.  Gripping the hilt of his sheaved blade in one large hand, he looks about as they move out of the village.  "Daviren may have some mounts we could purchase or borrow, he downright hates them gobbos and may help us out just fer pure spite."

That said, Garth turns and begins walking in the direction of the Goblin Squash stablery.

Daviren will loan you a horse if you want.  But if you get it killed he will expect full payment.

<So you choose speed (see post 1) and you will miss the nobles dinner party.>

   You ride out in the afternoon and most of the farmers are a bit suspicious of you at first, until they either recognize Garth as a local boy or you both as the Heroes of Sandpoint.  You easily get directions to a farm that lost a horse and cart.  The farmer there confirms it and describes them perfectly.  They were stolen the night before the festival by goblins (who also killed 1 of his farm dog).  It is unusual, though not unheard of, for goblins to steal something so large, not to mention a horse.  "Come to think of it, ole Jeb dinna like gobs.  I'm surpis'd them gobs could geet him ta go along wit'out me hear'en.  But I is glad 'es naught hurt.  Bet you'se pare'ts be pleased ta see ya, Garth.  You'se done grown up real good."
   You don't get any good leads on the elven ranger Shalelu Andosana and, except for the horse theft, no particularly unusual goblin activity.  You find yourself near the Oakenshield farms.

<Do you want to spend the night at Garths parents farm?>

After some time moving amongst the outlying farms of the village and passing pleasentries with those who lived in the area, Garth suddenly grins as they strike a new small road, "Well, I know this way well enough!  Come on then!"

He leads their sole horse in a cantor down the rural road with Catessa mounted upon the same horse.  After a short time they come upon a small farmstead, nothing much really but neat and well tended.  Pointing towards a small cottage in the distance, the soldier seems to take a deep breath then, "I think that the people there will take us in.  That there be me family's farm."  He cantor's forward a bit then adds, almost self-consciously, "It ain't much mind you but it be warm and secure fer the night."

   As Garth rides up, it looks like nothing has changed in the years he was gone, but then why does it seem so different.  His parents haven't changed much, a few gray hairs, a little slower steps, but mostly the same, then why do they seem so different?  Garth just can't put his finger on it.
   The Oakenshields are a proud family who try to keep the Varisian traditions, even though they have settled down.  So they welcome you both with open arms.  Though there are some questioning looks cast Cat's way.  <Ok, you may be a halfling, but still, a male and female traveling together, alone, raises certain questions.  Such pairings are unusual, but not unheard of.>  During the evening the family catches Garth up on what has been happening while he was gone.  Various family news, siblings getting married, births, deaths and those sorts of things.  One item comes as a shock.  Apparently a couple of years ago, news reached town that you had died.  They grieved and even put up a memorial for you.  It took a few months before the mistake was corrected.  The younger members of the family, Garths nieces and nephews, take to Cat and Garious.  A big lovable dog is a child magnet.

After some halting greetings and stiff hugs, Garth introduces Catessa to his family.  His father, whom Garth names to her as Ethan, is a large man himself and despite his age, the farmer stands still straight and strong.  It is easy to see similarities in size between father and son.  His mother, Elsa, is also tall and stout, clearly a woman used to the labours of farmlife.  Several younger family members, most of which are boys, younger yet also showing a promise for size and strength, rush about the two as they greet Garth and Catessa.  Garth's father is at first hesitant but his mother shows no such signs of pause as she grips her oldest boy in a bone-jarring hug!

Both parents take in the state of the pair.  Ethan eyes his son a moment before uttering, "I heard tell you be back.  Folk say you done good."  And that is all that is said of that.

Later that eve, in the warm confines of the cottage, Garth sits at the rough hewn table with his family, enjoying a hearty if simple dinner of rabbit stew, bread and goat cheese.  Looking to Catessa he smiles as he soaks a bit of the bread in the remnants of his stew then to his father, "The farm looks good."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:45, Mon 02 Feb 2009.

Talk drifts around from topic to topic.  It touches on goblins (no, they haven't seen any unusual activity, but they are in the middle of the hinterlands and such would 1st show up on the edges), elven rangers (they can direct you to the Lockwood farm, she stays there on occasion) and family, but avoids the subject of Mara and the future.  Finally, after mom and dad come back from the kitchen, dad says "So what are you planning to do now, son?"  Both Cat and Garth understand the nature of the question.  Garth is no longer a simple farm boy, that is why home seems so different, even though it hasn't changed.

Sipping from a cup of home-made beer, Garth hears the question posed by his father and seems a bit reluctant to answer as his family all watch him expectantly, then at last, "I reckon my time away has changed me some.  I have seen a bit of the world and I think I would like to see a bit more.  The boys are getting older now so you should be fine keeping up with the farm without me.  Still, I figure to be dropping in from time to time when I am about."

The night passes quietly, and you are sent off the next morning with a hug from your mom and these words from your dad "This will always be your home son, come by any time".  They invite Cat to stop by and visit and to "take care of our Garth and bring your friends, any friend of our son is welcome here".  The day starts cold and wet as you head toward the Lockwood farm, stopping to ask questions along the way.  As you get farther from Sandpoint, you begin to find more farmers saying that there has been a rise in goblin activity lately.  Not enough that any of them felt threatened, but still a definite increase.  In the afternoon, still depressingly cloudy but at last it's not raining, you come to the top of a small hill and see in the distance a column of smoke.  The dirt road leads through a corn field to a small grove of trees.  Behind the trees you see the roof of a farmhouse and behind that a barn.  The barn is on fire and a large column of smoke is reaching to the clouds overhead.  You are currently a couple of minutes from the trees at a run for the horses.  What do you do?

Spurring his steed forward, Garth yells out to Catessa, "I fear there be mischief about at the farm!"  And with that he is off at a gallop even as the man draws his big sword whilst gripping the reigns in his other hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:24, Thu 05 Feb 2009.

<I imagine Cat is riding her dog>

As you approach the trees, you begin to see a goblin trying to start the cornfield on fire.  He looks up at your thundering hooves and goes screaming (something in goblin) up the road.  At the trees he turns and throws a javelin at the group (very long range), missing wildly and vanishes into the undergrowth.  As you get to place where the goblin was lighting the fire Cat says, "Go ahead, Ill put this out" and casts a create water spell.
<give me a spot check, listen check and initiative roll;
are you going to stop to look for the 1st goblin or just gallop on by
Cat will be 1 round behind you>

In reply to DM (msg #23):

OOC:  Oops, I forgot she had her own mount.  I have edited my post to reflect this.

Galloping over to where the goblin was last seen, Garth reigns the horse into a trot as he searches the undergrowth for the goblin arsonist.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
12:27, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 10 using 1d10+1. initiative.
12:27, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 14 using 1d20-1. Listen check.
12:27, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 11 using 1d20-1. Spot check.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Thu 05 Feb 2009.

Round 1
Catessa Fallowfield & Garious Garious runs and is now 40' from you (Garth's Light Horse is much faster than her dog).  Cat has her spear out and is looking for the goblin, but doesn't spot it.

Arsonist GoblinCan't resist lashing out at the hated horse as he moves by a couple of times (4 and 2 dam)<Goblin gets an Aoo from hiding, then a regular attack on its turn, but because Garth and the horse are still flat-footed, neither gets an Aoo as it moves into the underbrush and hides behind a tree.>, before pushing his way into the underbrush (moving at 1/2 speed from underbrush)


Tactical Situation Round 1
Garth doesn't spot the nasty goblin until he has hurt the horse, which causes the horse to rear up.  Garth easily keeps his seat.  Garth does hear a female cry out in alarm in Elven, "jrko" and the familiar giggle of an excited goblin "hee hee" from up ahead in the farmyard.

Garth & Horse -  still on horse back, 15' from Arsonist Goblin, through underbrush (x2 move).  45' from the from the end of the trees where it opens up into a barnyard (and probably another 40+' to the house).  The horse is not a war horse, but horses do hate goblins, so Garth will need to control it (see below).
Catessa Fallowfield & Garious - 50' from goblin (15' of underbrush) and 40' from Garth.

                           dam      status
Arsonist Goblin        -
horse                      6


<Consult the ride skill.
Control Mount in Battle:dc20  As a move action, you can attempt to control a light horse, pony, heavy horse, or other mount not trained for combat riding while in battle. If you fail the Ride check, you can do nothing else in that round. You do not need to roll for warhorses or warponies.>

Holding tightly to the reigns as his horse rears in alarm from the sneaky goblin's attack, Garth manages to maintain control of the steed and is about to give further chase to the cowardly, horse-hating gobbo when he hears the cry of fear from a female voice closer to the farm proper.  With a party scowl in the direction of the fleeing goblin, the big man turns his now bleeding horse to gallop off to the farmyard as he shouts, "I'm coming!"

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
16:11, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Horsemanship roll.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 22:15, Thu 05 Feb 2009.

As Garth enters the farmyard he sees an elf woman (plainly dressed) carrying a baby and a toddler fleeing from a pair of goblins. She is 10' away from you and the goblins with dogslicers are 20', your horse has 15' of his first move left.  She looks at Garth with desperate hope.  In the background Garth hears Cat yell, "Need help or do I take this one?"  The farm house is also on fire and you see a goblin come running around the corner, only to get skewered by an arrow and collapse.  Still Garth's turn.

Making a split second decision, Garth calls back, "Watch the woman!" even as he gallops towards the elf with her babies.  Reigning in his steed to stand between her and her pursuers, Garth leaps from the saddle to face the oncoming goblins! With raised sword and shield, the warrior smiles in anticipation.

Round 1
Garth & Horse bravely gets off the horse between the goblins and the family  He can feel the horse's eagerness to stomp a goblin.

Woman and childrenShe moves down the road and looks for a place to hide until she hears Cat yelling.

Round 2
Catessa Fallowfield & Garious Urges Garious into a run and makes it to the farmyard, as she moves she sees the woman about to hide in the woods where the arsonist goblin is hiding "Not there, there's a goblin in there."  Cat puts Garious between the woman and the woods, spear ready.

Arsonist Goblinsomewhere in the underbrush

Goblin 1 and 2The Goblins are so fixated on the woman that they don't see Garth until he is right on top of them.  They are so filled with bloodlust that they have trouble stopping, so they move in and attack.  The horse gets hit for 2 damage, but the goblin 2 attacking Garth has his dogslicer break apart as Garth parries it.

Rider and goblin "dog"A goblin rider and dog come riding around the corner of the house with a torch, which he throws onto the roof.  After watching the torch he finally notices the melee going on at the front of the house.  He yells something in goblin and pulls out his bow.

Tactical Situation Round 2
Garth & Horse are in the farmyard fighting 2 goblins.  The rider and "dog" are 50' from Garth.  The horse seems to still be in a fighting mood <every time it takes damage it was to make a morale check or flee>

There is a goblin somewhere in the underbrush.

Catessa Fallowfield & Garious - 15' from Garth, between woman and underbrush.

You can still hear sounds of combat from around the house.

                           dam      status
Arsonist Goblin        -
Goblin 1               -
Goblin 2               -      unarmed
Rider                  -
Goblin "dog"           -
horse                      8
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:52, Sat 07 Feb 2009.

Leaping at the goblins with a throaty battle cry, Garth swings down at Goblin 1's  head like a blacksmith strikes his forge!

[Private to DM: Using Power Attack for a -1 to hit and +1 on damage]

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
23:31, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 9 using 1d10+4. Damage on Goblin 1.
23:29, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 10 using 1d20+4. To-Hit roll on Goblin 1.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 05:31, Sat 07 Feb 2009.

Round 2
Garth & Horse both try their best, but both miss all attacks

Woman and childrenStand and look around for the goblin in the woods, trying her best to keep her kids quiet.

Round 3
Catessa Fallowfield & Garious casts a spell that causes the plants in the area around the Rider to start grasping at the "dogs" legs and slowing it down, then she dismounts, ordering Garious to guard the family.

Arsonist Goblinsomewhere in the underbrush being sneaky.

Goblin 1 attacks the horse, missing.  It will then move off screaming something in goblin.

Goblin 2 shows either bravery or stupidity by attempting to disarm Garth, who sees his chance and slices the goblin for 14 dam.  It goes down sprayng copious amounts of blood.

Rider1 and goblin "dog"2 responds to goblin 1 yell, urging his "dog" forward, with the grass grasping at his legs the "dog" slowly gets free, but uses all it's movement to do so and looks like it is following goblin 1 around the farm house.  The rider shoots Garth for 2 dam.

Rider2 / 3 and goblin "dog"2 / 3 ride into view, taking a couple of shoots at the horse.  Rider/"dog"2 rides off, and out of sight, but rider/"dog"3 moves into the area with grasping grass and the "dog" stops moving.  The horse takes 3 more dam and looks like it is going to bolt.

Tactical Situation Round 3
Garth & Horse are in the farmyard goblin 1 is 30' away.  Rider/"dog"1 are 30' from Garth and moving way.  Rider/"dog"3 are 90' from Garth, entangled. The horse seems to have lost it's fighting mood. <the house on fire and goblins are too much for the horse>

There is a goblin somewhere in the underbrush.

Catessa Fallowfield & Garious - 15' from Garth.

You can still hear sounds of combat from around the house.

                           dam      status
Arsonist Goblin        -
Goblin 1               -
Goblin 2               -      dying, unarmed
Rider1                 -
Goblin "dog"1          -
Rider/"dog"2            -       in retreat and out of the combat
Rider3                 -
Goblin "dog"3          -       entangled
horse                      11
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:52, Tue 10 Feb 2009.

Garth turns from the dying goblin and attempts to run down the goblin who flees on foot (Goblin 1)!

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Assuming he can catch up to the fleeing goblin and strike, he will use power attack for 1 point of his to-hit bonus

10:17, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 8 using 1d10+4. damage on Goblin 1.
10:16, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 20 using 1d20+4. To-hit with power attack on Goblin1.

---

Round 3
Garth follows goblin 1 and stabs him in the back for 8, then he kicks the dying goblin off the sword.  It lies, twitching on the ground.

Woman and children & Horse Stands and looks around for the goblin in the woods, trying her best to avoid the horse.  The excitement is just too much for the poor horse, it spooks away from the combat, but doesn't outright run, allowing the woman a chance to grab the reins.

Round 4
Catessa Fallowfield & Garious moves forward and casts a spell, leaving Garious to protect the woman and children. A ball of flame appears in her hand.  "Hey goblins, play with this fire" and throws it at rider1.  That speech would have been very appropriate, if she had hit.  Alas, the fire sails into the ground behind the goblin, miss.

Arsonist Goblin somewhere in the underbrush being sneaky.

Rider1 and goblin "dog"2 The "dog" attacks Garth with a vicious bite for 9 dam, then tries to move away.  Bleeding heavily from multiple wounds, Garth spins and bring his sword down upon the giant rat-like "dog" that just bit him!  it is clear that he is hurt though and there is no telling how much longer he can last...

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
14:55, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 11 using 1d10+4. Damage on "Dog" 1.
14:54, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 24 using 1d20+4. To Hit "Dog" 1.
<On a 19-20 you threaten with a sword, so I rolled again and did x2 dam, instantly killing it>
14:53, Today: Garth Oakenshield rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Fort save.

---

...and the "dog" collapses in a bloody heap.  Rider1 shows great skill by leaping off his doomed and continuing forward 30' before turning and shooting an arrow into Garths shoulder for 2 dam. As Garth stagger he hears Cat say "no...", in reaction to his injury.

Rider3 and goblin "dog"3 they struggle to get out of the grabbing grasp of the grass until an arrow comes, from out of sight, and plucks the rider off the "dogs" back.

Tactical Situation Round 4
Garth is near the farmhouse, Rider1 is 30' away at the corner of the farm house, "dog"3 is 70' from Garth, entangled, out of sight.

There is a goblin somewhere in the underbrush.

Catessa Fallowfield - 25' from Garth, 20' from Garious.
Garious- protecting the woman and child

You can still hear sounds of combat from around the house, but they are much less.

                      dam      status
Arsonist Goblin        -      ?
Goblin 1               8      dying
Goblin 2               14     dying, unarmed
Rider1                 -
Goblin "dog"1          lots   dead
Rider3                 lots   dying
Goblin "dog"3          -      entangled
horse                  11     out of combat

<By my calculations, Garth should be disabled, at 0hp.

Disabled: A character with 0 hit points, or one who has negative hit points but has become stable and conscious, is disabled. A disabled character may take a single move action or standard action each round (but not both, nor can she take full-round actions). She moves at half speed. Taking move actions doesn’t risk further injury, but performing any standard action (or any other action the DM deems strenuous, including some free actions such as casting a quickened spell) deals 1 point of damage after the completion of the act. Unless the action increased the disabled character’s hit points, she is now in negative hit points and dying.
A disabled character with negative hit points recovers hit points naturally if she is being helped. Otherwise, each day she has a 10% chance to start recovering hit points naturally (starting with that day); otherwise, she loses 1 hit point. Once an unaided character starts recovering hit points naturally, she is no longer in danger of losing hit points (even if her current hit points are negative).>
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:14, Thu 12 Feb 2009.

Stumbling backwards and bleeding from various wounds, the big warrior leans against a tree and winces as he breathes in great gulps of air.  He then looks about to see what foes still stand and whether the elven woman and her children are safe.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Thu 12 Feb 2009.

Round 4
Garth takes cover behind a tree

Woman and children & Horse From inside the burning house you hear a male voice yelling something in elven, to which the woman replies in common, "We're out front".

Round 5
Catessa Fallowfield & Garious moves forward to aid Garth "What do you think you're doing, getting shot like that.  Naomi would never forgive me if you got yourself killed."  Then she casts a spell while pulling the arrow out and heals 1 damage.

Rider1 shoots and hits the tree before running around the house.  He doesn't get very far before he is hit in the face with an arrow and falls backwards, dead.

goblin "dog"3 finally manages to struggle free from the grass and scampers off into the undergrowth.

   As Garth and Cat are binding his wounds, a male elf comes bursting out of the burning house bearing a long sword and bow.  He focuses on them for a second and then scans the area as he rushes over to the woman.  With a sign from Cat Garious allows the man to approach.  "Are you ok, I was so worried.  Shalelu will be here soon."  Then to Garth and Cat, "I don't know who you are, but I am in your debt for saving my family."  There are no apparent threats and the sound of combat has died down, replaced by the sound of a burning house.  Far off in the distance you hear a goblin "dog" scream.  The man introduces them as Vallis Kor and his wife Aluvial.
   After 2 more points of healing, Cat and Garious search the area and declare it goblin free.  Eventually an elf woman comes walking around the house leading a couple of horses.  She introduces herself as Shalelu Andosana <the elven ranger you were sent to find> "We can't do much else here, lets get the kids to the neighbors.  We can talk on the way".  She bears a nice long composite bow and a long sword across her back.  She wears a suit of armor apparently made out of leafs.

After escorting Shalelu Andosana sisters family to safety, Garth and Cat explain their mission to her.  She agrees to go with them through the Mosswood forest to examine the "goblin problem".  She ays the attack on the farm was a manipulation of the goblins by her nemesis, a bugbear ranger named Bruthazmus, and dismisses Cat's concerns about the raid.  The trip through Mosswood is uneventful, though Shalelu often scouts on her own.  After you get to the North Road and do some scouting, she agrees to accompany you back to Sandpoint.  Otherwise she keeps her own counsel, though Cat and Garth get the idea that she is concerned.

Still pretty banged up, Garth moves a bit slower as his wounds ache, he rounds up his steed and proceeds to apply what he knows of binding to it's wounds.  He asks Shalelu if she knows any arts that might help with his now lame horse.

Shalelu knows some healing, but Cat is better.  The next morning she will get Garth up to full hps and helps the horse out as well.  After a couple of days you get back to Sandpoint and Shalelu immediately goes to see Sheriff Hemlock.  After a little talk, he sends Cat and Garth to get their friends and meet at the Mayors office.

<Go to 1.2 Sandpoint>
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:17, Mon 16 Feb 2009.

Ever since the Glassworks, Cat has felt different, a bit out of place. She has spent most of her time beyond the city walls, but not too far, riding her dog, coming to terms with new abilities and getting a sense of herself again. She looks at people with new eyes.

The invitation to meet Madame Mvasht is surprise to the woman. She spends an hour getting ready and then goes out to meet the other woman.

OOC: I hope this explains ICly the change of players. Relationships will probably be different. Sorry.

Madame Mvashti looks up from her table full of Harrow cards, confused when you enter her room, "Ahh yes, sent for you.... " and looks bewildered for a second "...I did.  Fresh Tapa roots, need I.  Get them you must.  Hurry."  And then she turns back to her cards.  Cat would know such roots could be found along the river.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:50, Thu 07 May 2009.

Tapa Roots??!! Cat gives the woman a long, hard look full of confusion. After a minute she shrugs lightly, "I guess I can do that for you." Though she'd like to know why and what's in it for her but she doesn't want to wear on the towns good will. She bows and exits the room.

She checks Garious saddle and tack before getting on to ride towards the river.

Cat goes down to the river and starts looking in all the usual places, but all she finds have already been picked.  So she goes farther upstream and finally starts to find some worth the effort.  Come to think of it, the old woman didn't say how many she wanted.

How many do you pick- few, some, many, as much as possible?
Also, roll a spot and initiative roll.

Cat has to wonder who has picked tapa roots recently. But she is glad to finally find some. Since she is out here, she decides to fill her bag as full as possible, hoping she doesn't need to come out again later.

Rolls: 19:48, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 13 using 1d20+3. Init.
19:48, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 12 using 1d20+6. Spot.
Die roller doesn't like me.
[Private to DM: What is tapa root?]

(ooc: It's a local plant that generally grows along rivers or swamps.  It's edible, but harsh, and is occasionally used in Varisian dishes.)

Catessa Fallowfield 16/16 & Garious 15/16(20 normally)
As Cat is searching for more roots, Garious begins crowding her.  She looks up in time to see a snake-like creature bite at her, but come up short on the 1st blow.  Garious lunges at it and thrashes it around, doing 9 dam.  The "snake" lets out a vile stink, which sickens Garious (who failed his For save) and he doesn't sense the 2 small vipers on either side who slither out and attack him.  1 hits for 1 dam and 2 con drain. The "snake" says "III hhhaaatttessss dogsssss".

Sickened: The character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.

http://www2.snapfish.com/slide...1694151/t_=161694151

Go ahead and roll and post for both Cat and Garious, you have 1 goblin snake(injured) and 2 small vipers(v1, v2).
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:45, Sun 10 May 2009.

Not good, not good. So distracted, that I got ambushed and Gar is hurt. Using one of her new found powers, that Cat doesn't fully understand, she hurls a blast of energy at the talking snake, while telling Gar to go behind it to attack.

ooc
19:42, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 6 using 2d6. eldritch blast damage.
19:36, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 2 using 1d20-2. attack for Garious.

With a quick snap, Garious bites the snake that bit him, and shakes it around.  It doesn't move after that.  The goblin snake bites at Garious, hitting for 1 damage, before slithering off into the underbrush.  Garious tries to bite it, but fails.  Meanwhile the second viper tries to bite Cat, but doesn't even come close.

Catessa Fallowfield 16/16 & Garious 14/16(20 normally)




Garious is still Sickened: The character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.

Go ahead and roll and post for both Cat and Garious, you have 1 goblin snake(injured) moving away through the brush and 1 small viper attacking Cat.  If you want to go after the goblin snake, give me a spot check.

That's a start. Cat turns to attack the viper that just went after her while keeping an eye on the grass where the other snake disappeared, indicating for Garious to do the same, to attack the viper that went after him.

ooc
14:33, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 20 using 1d20+3. attack.
14:34, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 7 using 1d6+1. damage.
14:35, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 15 using 1d20-2. attack for Garious.
14:36, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 7 using 1d6+1. damage for Gar.

Golin snake:
Blank white eyes, broad torn ears, and a wide maw filled with jagged yellow teeth and oversized fangs sway atop the body of this serpent. Combining the worst features of a rabid maniac goblin and an oversized snake, scales that look more greasy than slick form a powerful, black, and limbless trunk. At the top, from its gray, lipless goblin head, flicks a long, thin, forked tongue.

Between Cat and Garious, the snake gets torn apart, but the goblin snake is nowhere to be seen.  Does Cat want to go after the seriously injured aberration?

If you wish to seek it out, give me spot checks and/or other skill rolls as appropriate if you want to do anything else (climb, hide, etc...).  You are near the edge of the river in moderately thick underbrush with many trees around.  Sighting distance is restricted and it is obstructed terrain for Garious (1/2 speed, no charging), though not for Cat (as she is a druid).

No, Cat doesn't want to go after the seriously injured aberration. She guides Garious back towards the city, weapon at the ready, keeping alert.

OOC:
19:18, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 25 using 1d20+6. listen.
19:18, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 22 using 1d20+6. spot.

Cat makes it back to the city, with Garious losing only 2 more con to the poison.  Cat examines the wound and concludes, that with a few days rest, he should be fine.  Where do you go and who do you see?

Cat is not that happy. Garious hurt and she helped the dog back to the city, healing some with light magic use (2x Cure Minor Wounds). After settling Garuius down to rest, she heads back to Madame Mvashti to deliver the tapa roots and report the presence of the monster snake.

   You arrive back at the dusty old house and are greeted by Maras, MMadame Mvashti grand daughter who you have met before.  She is a little surprised by the Tapa roots, "She just sent me yesterday to get some.  GG is old and forgetful sometimes.  I hope it wasn't too much of an inconvenience.  She's taking a nap right now, let me give you something for your trouble", and she disappears into the back of the house.
   She comes out with a small box, "This box has your name on it."  She gives you the box.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:22, Fri 15 May 2009.

Cat sighs softly, "Only a minor inconvenience. Some sort of monster snake with a goblin face attacked me and my dog along the river bed, I injured it and drove it off." She takes the box in both hands and a minor bow, "Thank you, very much." she says with more grace than she feels.

If released, she'll head back to her quarters to check on Garious and see what the box holds.

Maras, who is dying of curiosity, will say "I will let GG know when she wakes up.  Thanks."  Back in her room, Garious is curious about the box, sniffing it before laying down again.  Inside is a small potion and a note, written in what you think is dwarven.

Cat ruffles Garious' hair a bit before inspecting the bottle again. She pockets the note, planning to share it with Glum. But first she needs to do something about the snake. She goes off to find the Sheriff and report it.

As cat is going to the sheriff, Cat runs into a kid running from the Turandarok Academy yelling "Sheriff, sheriff... the monk is dead."

Cat sighs, Monk? What monk? This is bad, too. She starts to follow the kid to the sheriff.

Cat runs after the kid and arrives as the kid is blurting out "Sheriff, the Headmaster wants you right away, the monks dead and Tanrov is missing.  Hurry."  The Sheriff starts moving toward the Turandarok Academy while telling the kid "Go get Father Zantus" and barking a couple of orders to his men "Seal the town until we can get this sorted out."

Cat will keep up with the sheriff, running if need be, "Sheriff, you need to know that there are monster talking snakes along the river bed."

   The Sheriff will slow, "What?  We'll deal with them later, let's see what the kid was talking about first."  You continue on to the orphanage where you are met by Headmaster Gandethus.  After a brief update on both situations the Sheriff will send Cat to find Glum and he will go send a patrol to poke around the river bank.

   A monk arrived from Glum's order to escort an orphan to the monastery.  Glum arrived and found the monk dead with no obvious wounds and the orphan he was to take missing.  Glum is looking in the attic for the boy.

Attic or murder scene?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:59, Wed 20 May 2009.

Cat just shakes her head at the mass confusion. Knowing she must be missing a few details, she heads up to the attic to find Glum.

At the bottom of the stairs, you encounter a raven flying down the stairs saying to you, "Hellllp, musst gettt helllp", not a good sign.  The raven continues past you, "Massster, helllp".  As Cat get to the top of the stairs she heads toward an open door arriving just in time to see a 10 year old human boy fall from a ladder 10' and lie still, seriously hurt.  She can hear a creepy ghostly voice from above say "Oops, now look what you made me do, I broke him", followed by much movement.

<You are now in combat>