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Session 17, a Dramatic Rescue!

Party's Current Mood

Lori: "[Any kobolds] get nothing from us, except maybe stab wounds."

Some Kobolds Don't Get Stabbed

Lori, the Ranger, goes scouting on her own, and discovers a band of kobolds heading away from the Mines. She mimics the large feline yowling they heard earlier, and the kobolds spook. She decides this is fun and repeats it a few times. Lori thinks she knows which way they're going, and after a few minutes amusing herself, heads back to the campsite to report. After some discussion, they decide to ambush the kobolds. Much of the discussion revolves around the wisdom of shooting first and then asking questions.

They even pull off their ambush. Almost. At the last minute, one of the kobolds with a spear grabs the leader's arm and whispers something to them. They stop the column immediately, and everyone crouches down, ready for a threat. The leader shouts out in Goblin, "Who's there?"

A shouted negotiation ensues. Eventually, the kobolds buy safe passage with a tidbit of juicy knowledge: The hobgoblins are planning to buy some prisoners from the Golbins. They even have a time and a place: tonight at sunset, at the goblins' entryway in the Mines.

Ambush #2, Hobgoblins and Goblins at Sunset

It turns out the kobolds were even telling the truth.

Tilden and Lori strap on extra swords and they give Vanessa a quick lesson in crossbows. Robert is elected battle leader, as his reading of military tactics puts him on a slight advantage over Vanessa. Then with One Eye they head out. The party manages to scale the slope above the goblins' entrance and settle in to wait.

Just as the sun is setting, a trio of large orange goblinoids approach the fire pit outside the goblin entrance. They have morning stars strapped across their backs and are wearing matching leather armor and some sort of uniform. One of them has a small sack looped thru his belt, and Roger (at least) can almost see the shape of coins inside it. They take up position on the far side of the pit and stand at easy parade rest, feet planted solidly, alert, relaxed, very martial. These are clearly Hobgoblins.

After about five minutes, they start to look a little annoyed and perhaps confused, and their discipline flips a little as they fidgit and look around. Finally, the one in the lead marches to one of the openings and yells something in. They eventually return to the others, and after a few more minutes, a goblin skulks out. They're armed with a leather breastplate and a short spear (or javalin?). This one chats quietly with the Hobgoblin for a bit and finally - FINALLY - three more goblins come out with a pair of human prisoners. The prisoners are both rather tall, similarly coloured, barely clothed, and very well tied.

Just as things are getting exciting, and the lead goblin is checking that the sack does indeed contain payment, Roger starts the ambush!

A quick, sharp affray: (summarized)

• Roger fires away at the hobgoblin who is carrying the sack, who drops it.
• Vanessa calls light, and the area is lit with a soft pearly glow.
• The Goblins are bewildered as crossbow bolts fly around them
  • one is hit and there is eventually much yelling
• The Hobgoblins react very well, grabbing the goblins attention and getting them to throw javalins at the party
• One Hobgoblin - the one who regained the sack - is hurt fairly badly
• The Hobgoblin leader decides this fight is going nowhere...and yells to the goblins to kill the prisoners!
  • Roger understands Goblin, and yells out what's going on...
• Someone's crossbow bolt goes thru the leg of one of the prisoners. Oops. Oooops. Sorry.
• The fighters CHARGE down the steep slope!
• Vanessa charges too. She uses her emotion:fear spell to send one goblin running away.
• The rest of the goblins break and run, one back into the entrance, the others into the darkness
• The hobgoblins retreat in good form, supporting their badly injured comrade....taking the payment with them.
  • Roger tries to kill them, but the range is just a little too far, and he can't get a good shot.
  • He yells to the party to go after the hobgoblins, but everyone is rushing to the downed prisoners (who are quickly cut free)
  • The money, the precious precious money, gets away.

Injuries sustained:

Goblinoid

• Goblin with slight wounds (-6)
• Many injuries to the hobgoblins
  • one with 8hp left - so close!
  • -2&-9, -4

Humanish

• Lori: 8hp wound, 1 hp wound
• One-Eyed Maddie, -7hp
• Vanessa -3

Quote of the Day

"Roger is very happy being the person in charge who no one listens to."

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