Firing back at the sergeant who flung the spear at him, Gildan hits him with the first arrow but the second goes very wide as the elf stumbles out of the way of the spinning Bruno.

OOC:
12:45, Today: Gildan Stalker rolled 3 using 1d6+2.
12:44, Today: Gildan Stalker rolled 8 using 1d20+7.  Bow attack 2.
12:44, Today: Gildan Stalker rolled 27 using 1d20+7.  Bow attack.

OOC: Oh, nice, Gilden. Isn't that just like an elf to blame a dwarf for their own failures. And people wonder why we're grumpy. (Interestingly, they never seem to wonder why happy, sleepy, bashful, dopey, sneezy, or doctors...)

Trying to speed up the process of dispatching the sleeping gobs.  Zan starts using his bow and arrows.

Seeing more enemies pouring into the battleground, Kullonar feels an inner peace rush over him...and in a deep baritone, he sings;

Guide me, O thou St. Cuthbert, pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak but, thou art mighty, hold me with thy powerful hand.
By the Cudgel, I will ever walk with thee.
By the Cudgel, I will ever walk with thee.

As he sings the last line of the hymn, he swings his morningstar at his foe...
00:39, Today: Kullonar rolled 20,7 using 1d20+1,2d4+1.  Morningstar attack.

PM:
----------------------------------
Party Initiative:
Zan: 10
Gildan: 9
Bruno: 7
Myrrick: 6
Kullonar, Bruknar & Uthecar: 5
-------------------------------------------
Round 6 - Battle fierce, battle strong.
Zan puts two more Hobblers to permanent sleep.

Gildan looses two more arrows at the brute who flung the spear. Gildan's first arrow goes wide, narrowly missing one of the Hobblers in rank behind the brute. The second arrow, as if making up for the first, is loosed with uncanny precision, a critical shot that flies straight into the brute's right eye for double damage. As Gildan watches, the brute staggers...and then falls to the floor unmoving. (Beautifully done - inspired, no doubt, by Kullonar's hymn!).

Bruno swings up at the last holdout from the first squad, but his flailing about from his knees while trying to minister to Myrrick at the same time affects his aim. His sword strike goes just wide.

Still too weak to stand, Myrrick is aware, but still needs one more spot of healing to get back into the fray.

Kullonar sings as he gets a hit - 7 points of damage on the second brute who falls beneath the blow (7dmg to the wounded brute) Brute is unconscious.

The seven remaining Hobblers rush forward to the aid of the lone standing Hobbler left over. Against all odds, the regular, probably some new recruit, has survived when all the heavy hitters have fallen. His morale is buttressed, however, by the arrival of the rest of the second squad, and he turns again to enter the fray.

Apparently, the shock troops are more than regulars: these appear to be an elite unit, and they come ready to fight (In order, to hit rolls: 18,17,17,16,17,9,20)

Damage: Gildan, Uthecar and Bruno take the brunt of the attack given their proximity to the squad.

Gildan takes 11 points from blows from two Hobblers.

Bruno's shield protects him from one strike, but a second sneaks through from his blind side (6points dmg)

Uthecar (4 points of damage).

And that last lone member of the first squad finds strength and courage - as Kullonar passes by on his way to help the others, the Hobbler extends his reach, and hits him clean with a mighty blow in a crease in his armor! Kullonar takes 8 points of damage.

HP losses:
Kullonar down a total of 13HP
Uthecar (-9 total)
Gildan (currently at 1 HP)
Myrrick still out of the fray (effectively has 1HP)
Bruno (6 points dmg)
Zan (Full HP)
Bruknar: (negative HP)

6th round complete/7th round forthcoming. Someone pin a medal on that feisty Hobbler from squad 1...
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:57, Fri 27 Sept 2019.

Bruno's fighter-mind is frustrated by his missed attack regardless of its reason, but his cleric-mind realizes that Myrrick still needs help. Luckily his cleric-mind is dominant and wills him to focus on aiding his comrade. He lifts his voice in Dwarven and claps his holy symbol with the had attached to the arm whereon is strapped Moradin's Shield and with a finger from the hand holding his blade he asks the Soul Forger to heal Myrrick.

OOC: Doh! I should've done this last round, sorry, Myrrick.

22:59, Today: Kullonar rolled 18,5 using 1d20+1,2d4+1.  Morningstar attack.

"Cuthbert take you, devil!" Kullonar cries, grimacing in pain as he wheels and bashes the Hob with his morningstar.

OOC: Gildan has 1 HP, unless I missed something where we gained HP. I had 12 remaining out of 21.

Gildan, barely able to stand for his wounds, drops his bow, pulls out his sword and attempts to return the strike against one of his attackers* but can't manage to get any power behind the stroke in his weakened state.

* if one is less armored, that is who he will focus on. If they're the same, then I will focus on one that is injured. If neither is injured, just pick one at random.
Actually, after writing this, I rolled a 4 on my attack, so there's no need to worry about which one I whiff on.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:03, Mon 23 Sept 2019.

OOC: as long as there are more sleeping gobs, Zan will continue end their lives

Zan stops firing arrows long enough to.  "Well the just gets better and better" he says in disgust.  A quick pinch of sand and he cast a second sleep spell on the new incoming hoard.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Tue 24 Sept 2019.

PM

Myrrick, suddenly back to his normal self, thanks to the aid of the healers swings his halberd mightily at the nearest foe, a certain anger at nearly being killed driving him on in his attack.

22:03, Today: Myrrick rolled 11 using 1d10+4.  hurt.

22:03, Today: Myrrick rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  hit.

PM:

----------------------------------
Party Initiative:
Zan: 10
Gildan: 9
Bruno: 7
Myrrick: 6
Kullonar, Bruknar & Uthecar: 5
-------------------------------------------------------------
Zan pauses in his death dealing, turns and casts another sleep and three more Hobblers fall into a comatose slumber. (5 regulars from 2nd squad + one remaining from the first squad - six total).

A weakened Gildan misses with his feeble swing.

Bruno casts a cure moderate on Myrrick, getting him back in the fight.

With a new lease on life, Myrrick stands ready to attack. Unfortunately, his swing misses by a short hair.

Kullonar smacks the sense out of the last holdout from 1st squad. The doughty Hobbler falls unconscious from the blow (negative HP - the survivors of this fight will sing a war dirge in this fellow's honor).

Uthecar hovers over the fallen form of Bruknar and swings his axe...but misses.

As the surviving Hobblers gather for another attack, the clarion peel of a war horn echoes through the throne room. Shocked by the echoing sound, both friend and foe halt and turn in the direction from whence the call came. Some 35' away, coming from the same direction as squad 2, a figure approaches with another squad in tow, along with a squad of goblin shock troops.

Faced with nearly overwhelming odds, the party wonders what doom is in store.

The figure is a grizzled old Hobbler, wizened, the skin of his face stretched thin, his eyes rheumy and he is missing most of his teeth. Still, there is strength in his voice as he said in pigeon Common,

"I am Dag em Dag, of Dread Skull Clan. I am the wisdom of my folk, scion of Maglubiyet who knows all things. I knew of your coming, whispered to me through blood soaked ears. His Infernal Majesty gave me a rede to follow. Time was now to cull the tribe, bring in new blood. Blessings and curses fell upon several today who vied fruitlessly. They forgot the old ways, and fell. Now, we start anew. Gone now are the mighty warrior and the crafty fox, to the snowy wastes in the north. This place our home now, our sanctuary, our fortress.

"But, you are worthy foes as foreseen by great Maglubiyet. Since you've given us a boon by culling the unworthy, I will share my wisdom. Those among you are ancient enemies, as it should be. But, for the nonce, will you sit and parlay with me for a short time? In return, I offer you healing, even the grim archer who slew many. Or would you prefer to die this day."

The latter was asked in a curious voice without judgment, as if either answer was expected.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:51, Fri 27 Sept 2019.

As you make your decisions regarding parlay, recall that Hobgoblins are Lawful, albeit evil. You get the sense that the old shaman is following some code of honor placed upon him by Maglubiyet.

Actions?

Myrrick nodded to the shaman, "Well met, Dag, I will sit and parlay. Thank you for not slaying us where we stand." Facts were facts, they couldn't survive this encounter if it went south, for now, Myrrick would play along. "I am called Myrrick."

"Your blood stains our floor, Myrrick," Dag replied. "We shall honor it."

Dag continues, "All of your blood stains our floor, and we shall honor all of you as well. As such, accept my lord's blessing."

In dark language, Dag calls forth healing from the nether pits. It is unlike Moradin's grace, closer instead to the stern touch of Cuthbert's cudgel. When the chant is finished, all of you are healed for 5 HP apiece, including Bruknar.

Also included in the healing were those put to sleep by Zan's magic, along with one brute and the lone holdout from first squad (you knew that was gonna happen!).

Once that was done, Dag said, "Let us speak of things that affect all of us."

FYI: Regarding the blue 'magic' above, it initially said arrows - that was a typo. Sorry if there was any confusion.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:13, Mon 30 Sept 2019.

Kullonar is shocked and is about to reply with some sort of "I'd rather die than..." speech, when the old Hob invokes his god's name and heals he and his companions!
In unfamiliar territory with his ancient enemies, Kullonar clears his throat and finds his voice.

"I am Kullonar, servant of the Cudgel. Like it as not, we are in your debt, Dag em Dag. Your warriors indeed fought bravely, though many fell..." he glances at the brute who once was dead but now lives again.
Striding forward, Kullonar slips his morningstar onto his belt and opens his hands in a display of peace. If allowed, he walks up close to the grizzled Hob and extends his arm and hand.
"Let us drink and break bread together."

As a priest of Moradin Bruno is totally caught off guard by his comrades willingness to parlay. Indeed, he is about to bark something fiercely when his wiser half catches the words and pulls them back.

Accordingly, he says nothing, but stands listening and ready for a sneak attack whether it is physical or verbal.

Dag em Dag nods at Kullonar and said, "Your master is known for his iron will. I know it took much courage to lay down your cudgel."

Looking toward Bruno, he adds, "Yours is the god of steel, and strong as steel he is. Often, steel is unbending, but your grace is humbling. Please, all of you, come sit with me. We will break bread, and then I have some thoughts to share."

Dag claps his hands, and from various entry ways, a host female hobgoblins enter the throne area and set a table full of food. Dried dates and other fruits, wild bison, a plethora of various grains, breads and cereals, green vegetables. It is truly a feast...and in the true fashion of a host, Dag tastes small amounts from each platter, each bowl, each goblet to show his intentions are real.

"Rest for the nonce, my guests," he said. "Enjoy your repast."

So saying, he fills his plate to the brim. There is plenty for all; some of you eat slowly, carefully, savoring the flavors. Others (Uthecar and Bruknar) eat several servings with the gusto of one starved for long days. In the end, all of you are satisfied at the least, and several of you are crammed full of food and sleepy.

As small sweet desserts are passed around by the women of the tribe, Dag said, "I mentioned that the two who built this place are gone now. Where they've gone, I cannot guess and my attempts to scry have failed with each try. I believe them dead, though it is of no matter - dead or not, they are not here and we have taken the upper floors as our own. Our tribe is growing - thank my dread master! - and we've need of space. Even such a large citadel as this grows tight with our expansion. Multiple family units share too little space, and we grow cramped and confined. Yet, as you may know, there is much space in the upper level, and even more down below. But the caves below are home to troglodytes and fouler things - walking dead with the hunger of the grave."

He pauses a moment as he considers how to say what he must. Finally, he just tells the party what he wants.

"My folk wish to have access to the underground warrens, but with so many non-combatants and young ones, we cannot afford a full on assault on the caves below. But a party like yours, stealthy (we had no idea that you were here until you barged into our territory!) and strong, could push the troglodytes out, and with two priests in your party, you would have a good chance to push out the priestess who uses the dead for her own malefic purpose."

Gildan doesn't respond. In his heart, he is too offended by the offer from one of the foulest creatures on this earth to accept, but he is bleeding heavily and can barely stand, so he decides to sit. Which is easy to do with his many wounds. He sits and bandages them.
When the food arrives, he eats, though he shows no appreciation and offers no complement as to the quality of the food. Instead, he sits and listens to Dag.
Troglodytes? I can kill a troggo as easily as a hobbo, he thinks to himself, but doesn't offer the party's muscle on their behalf. Instead, he nibbles his food and looks at the bandages.

Kullonar eats his fill, declining the sweets, as he listens to Dag expound on what he envisions for his people. Hobs expanding! Their evil, albeit lawful, intentions spreading throughout this land. He is unsure he can stomach it.

Seeing Gildan in obvious pain, shames the priest, and he sidles close and offers Gildan a vial. "Drink ye all of it." He encourages, before returning to his seat near Dag.

"These lower caves...and this priestess you speak of...can you tell us more, Dag em Dag?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:48, Sun 13 Oct 2019.

PM

That the Hobgoblin notes Bruno's effort is striking. Dag did not need to do so. This suggests that he is somebody that needs closer attention.

Feeling fully refreshed by the healing potion, Gildan smiles. It was all working out, as he knew it would. His frame of mind restored, he looks at Dag and says "Walking dead, you say?"

He glances around at his companions, "That alone is sufficient reason to take on this task, in my opinion. We cannot let these abominations continue to exist."

As Bruno chews his face does not reflect any pleasure or relief. When Gildan speaks he looks up, apparently listening, but does not respond.

Glancing at Myrrick first and then Zan he sighs, "You want us to kill this priestess for you, so that your growing tribe may move deeper into the realm below the fortress.

"When will you and yours decide that there is not enough room in the depths and decide to reclaim what you now hold?"

Dag em Dag grins widely, showing a mostly toothless mouth.

"Prescient, you are, Priest of the Soul Forger. But we've no intention of abandoning the upper level, rather we wish to clear out the lower level to use them as additional residences. Since you are but guests here, adventurers and treasure seekers, you have an opportunity to gather some coin, perhaps a bit of magic, and then go upon your way all the richer. And maybe you think kindly of Dag em Dag for honoring the parlay."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:49, Wed 02 Oct 2019.