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Later, the watch changes again, and Merrell hands the book over to Yvandel, whilst Lucretia, Serena, Ganda and Renda find places to watch the darkness from. Yvandel has just finished copying the last spell he wanted over from the book, when Ganda suddenly yells from near the river.

Ganda, who had been closest to the ford over the Goblintide runs closer to the fire, yelling the alarm and trying to rouse people.

"AWAKE! AWAKE! GOBLINS!"

A sudden roar of chittering and high pitched yells can be heard, and everyone not on watch wakes from their sleep in time to see a large number of small creatures with yellow, orange and red skin running with spears and other weapons into the camp. Behind them, more are leaping from a large raft as it sweeps past the camp.Goblins! Lots of them!

Renda immediately starts to cast a priestly spell, asking for Lathander's blessing and protection. (OOC: Bless spell in operation!)

ROUND ZERO

Lucretia looks around at the cry of alarm. His eyes widen at the sight of what seems numerous goblins, swarming almost like ants as they leap from the rafts and scramble towards the party as they start to wake. He hears Renda nearby starting to pray to Lathander, and sees Ganda the half-elf running into the camp, goblins only yards behind.

Serena steps out of the shadows in-between two of the wagons, loosing an arrow at the lead goblin. The first, perhaps aimed too quickly, flies wide. The second strikes the goblin in the throat, bowling to over backwards. Serena grabs sword and shield and prepares to step into the fray.

Meanwhile, Ganda literally leaps over the fire - bow in one hand and arrow in the other - and thunders through to the far side past Yvandel, as the mage grabs one of Lucretia's flasks of greek fire.

Overcoming his shock at the scene, Lucretia throws the flask in his hand, aiming towards the group of goblins still on the raft and readying themselves to jump. The flask flies true (OOC: Just!), and strikes the lead goblin. shattering and bursting into flame. The goblin shrieks in pain as flames engulf it, and it's companions nearby get splattered too. 4 of them leap into the waters of the Goblintide to escape the flames, and get swept away.

Yvandel, having grabbed one of the flasks, scrambles back from the fire as Ganda leapt past him, bow in hand. As the half-elf stops and notches his arrow, Yvandel stops too, and hurls his flask over his rising companions towards the goblins. The flask strikes the ground just in front of two goblins, dousing them both in it's spray, and instantly bursting into flame. They screech in agony, and stagger around burning. Another goblin nearby is caught by a little splash, and hops around, waving his flaming arm.

Meanwhile, Ganda lets fly a single arrow, aiming at one of the goblins at the edge of the group. His elven eye is true, and the arrow strikes the goblin squarely, throwing it backwards. It doesn't get up.

ROUND ONE

Lucretia and Serena join forces as the first of the goblins literally leap towards them, spears and swords leading. Serena deflects a spear with her longsword, and her shield arm is jarred as a sword blow crashes against it. Her riposte takes the spear wielding goblin in the stomach (OOC: 7hp damage), and it drops it's weapon to clutch at it's guts instead, a look of shock suddenly blooming on it's face. Eager to get at the enemy, the goblin behind jerks the wounded goblin sideways, causing it to tumble to the earth, gurgling blood.

Next to her, Lucretia is under a similar onslaught. He gasps for a moment as a spear point jars into him - if it hadn't have been of crude goblin manufacture, it surely would have penetrated his armour - and he reflects for a moment how lucky he is to have been on watch and wearing all his armour! Not allowed to think for long however, he easily ducks a sword blow from another goblin, and swings in close with his new magical short sword (OOC: BTW, it doesn't glow). The blade strikes cleanly, and the ugly creature howls as a wound appears in it's side. (OOC: 5 hp damage)

Near the back of the party, Renda starts to chant a prayer to Lathander, raising the spirits of the defenders and helping their efforts.

Meanwhile most of the fighters of Rostar's trade, including Rostar himself, have roused themselves from their slumber, and have formed a rough battle line, with Cleo, Ceely and Larz on it's southern edge. There is a crash of weapons and the cries of battle as the charging goblins meet it. There is a flaw in their line however, and the centre disappears as Balnor, Blondung and Thulli flee the charging goblins, which pour through the gap.

Balnor, having grabbed weapons and armour retreats via the north side of the fire, trying to get enough space to throw his leather armour on. Blondung, racing at his side fumbles trying to find spell components. Similarly, Thulli retreats to the south side of the fire, grabbing only a belt of throwing daggers and his short sword. As he passes Zarek, he pauses, whipping around to throw a dagger, which punches into the shoulder of one of the chasing goblins.

Zarek steps forward to try to block the breach, and is met by a pair of goblins, one wounded by Thulli's dagger. The warrior dodges their clumsy blows, and slashes with his short sword, taking out the wounded one.

Similarly, Kielt steps forward between Balnor and Blondung, casting a spell. A sudden spray of colours appears from the mage's out flung hands, casting multicoloured shadows around the goblins for a few seconds. Four of the charging goblins crash to the ground as if poleaxed.

A flare of light also indicates Milo completing his own prayers to Ilmater, and a sword of flame leaps into being in his hand. Striding forward, Milo passes Balnor and Kielt and heads towards the breach, his flaming sword held aloft, his face a mask of mixed emotions.

Herod, still pretty much standing where he had awoken, takes a moment to complete his prayer to Tempus, an a swirl of dust and wind suddenly comes into being among the goblins behind the front line. The familiar roar of wind accompanied by a minor wind elemental fills the air, and the goblins at the centre are buffeted this way and that by it, whilst those at the peripheral edges clutch at their eyes, blinded somewhat by the flying dust and dirt.

A second flask, again thrown by Yvandel crashes into the ground near the edge of the dust devil as it appears, and it's flaming spray is caught up momentarily, flaring across several of the goblins caught in the whirlwind's blast.

Merrell simply backs away from the fire, his eyes darting around as he wondered what he should do... (OOC: loads of time to get a post on actions Mike! Why no action?)

Meanwhile, Jenkins, Larz, Cleo and Ceely are hard pressed by what seems like a hoard of goblins. Jenkins swings his long axe in wide arcs, causing the goblins facing him to jump back, their shorter swords less use. Behind them, one with a spear takes notice and steps closer...

Ceely avoids a couple of clumsy swipes by sword wielding goblins, but a spear from one behind manages to pierce her defence (OOC: 3 hp damage), and she grits her teeth in pain taking a step back before slamming her own harpoon into one of her attackers, killing it instantly. (OOC: 8hp damage)

Cleo, facing three goblins, 2 wielding spears, manages to knock aside their spear tips easily, and slashes with her broadsword, opening the throat of one (OOC:10 hp damage).

Larz also takes a nick from a goblin sword (OOC: 4hp damage), but his dwarven axe was made for things like goblins, and the goblin pays for getting too close with it's life. The goblin next to him accidentally throws his own sword away as he tries in desperation to take down the dwarf.

Two arrows zip past Larz's attackers at the south side of the line, as Ganda tries to pick off the goblins coming around the edge. Soft elvish cursing can be heard as he quickly draws again from his quiver.

Radatt, Merd and Rostar himself are probably the most hard pressed, as goblins, having scampered over the wagon as if it were simply a log, leap from it onto them. Radatt is borne to the ground as the goblins overbear him. Merd is more lucky, and takes out one of his attackers in mid air with skilful use of his longsword., managing to avoid the flailing weapons of his attackers. Rostar sheaths his longsword in one of his attackers, but gives out a brief cry of pain as he is wounded by another.

Beyond the battle, the two rafts continue to drift downstream, the first reaching the confluence of the two rivers, and spinning around, it's sole surviving goblin struggling to remain upright, outlined by some remaining oil still burning on it. A few other goblins, having leapt into the water too soon, splash frantically as they too are swept down the river, their heads just bobbing on the surface.

ROUND TWO

The screaming and yelling of the goblins battle clamour continues as they dash themselves against the party's battle lines. Beset by several, Lucretia and Serena find themselves pushed back somewhat . Lucretia, leaving his short sword in the stomach of his first target steps back, drawing his bastard sword. The goblin screeches and lunges at him with its sword but he blocks it with his shield as he draws his trusty bastard sword. To for goblin has also jab their weapons are in the ineffectually. Sweeping the longer blade in a arc, he cut down the injured goblin like a stalk of grass.

At his side, serene or, faints and Paris's, but finds the moves too subtle for the poor quality apparent she faces mail. The opponents, unfazed by skilful technique i , ignore the fancy moves, and step forward ready to plunge their weapons into this arena. Almost as quick to fall back, each clasping at the sum up when the blood from the wounds inflicted pursuing this sort paying the price for for tackling a more skilful warrior. A few paces behind and however, another goblin screeches something, and then hurl the net and its arena which intent was in his sword and saw long (0 OC: either spend it round disentangling it, or fight at -4 to hit, -2 to damage).

Nearby, Rostar hacks away at the goblins in front of him with years of experience guiding his sword arm. Two of the goblins fall at his feet twitching in their death throes.

Merd, seeing his neighbour Radatt covered in goblins, ignores his closest attackers, who jab their weapons at him as he leaps towards his companion. A rip appears in his leather armour as one connects, but he ignores it as he grabs a goblin with one hand, and drags it off Radatt, shoving it towards another goblin, and knocking them both down.

Radatt, kicking and punching manages to push off the other two goblins on him, but is bleeding heavily from wounds in his shoulder and side. He rolls away and up to his feet, somehow managing to pick up his sword at the same time.

Meanwhile, Milo, with flaming sword in hand, strides over the bodies of the goblins knocked out buy Kielt's spell towards the breech. The goblins there hesitate at the sight of the flaming sword, and Milo takes advantage of their pause, lunging forward with the magical weapon. There is a scream as one of the goblin's is hit, and it crumples with the smell of burnt flesh. This seems to startle the other goblins into action, and they lunge forward on mass towards Milo. But Milo find's himself not alone, as Rostar's brother Zarek, having run through the one goblin that had been before him, arrives at Milo's side in time to help defend the breech. There is a clash of weapon against weapon, and Milo is shocked to find himself still unhurt after somehow managing to avoid being hit by 3 separate goblins attacks.

As yet 3 more join the fray, Milo gets more worried, but suddenly, almost all of his attackers suddenly go all limp and flop the floor, their eyes closed in sleep. Behind him, he realises Kielt has just finished incanting a spell.

Jenkins, continuing to swing his axe is wide arcs, is doing well, managing to cut down the goblin with a spear, before accidentally letting go of his axe, which lands behind him to the north of the fire, startling Balnor, who had just finished putting on leather armour. The sword wielding goblins screech with glee, and jump forward to attack him. He can do nothing but stagger backwards trying to dodge their blows.

Ceely and Cleo continue to work well, but are pushed back by the numbers of opponents. Ceely, parrying another attack with her harpoon, takes out one goblin attacker in the chest, but misses when trying a similar move on another. Cleo slashes at another goblin but only nicks it, needing a second stroke to finish it off cleanly.

At the end, Larz is surprised when one of his attackers flies backwards, it's body pierced by one of Ganda's arrows. Ducking a goblin sword, he plunges his own axe into a goblin body, ripping it out just in time as another couple of goblins leap over their fallen comrade to attack the dwarven priest.

At the back, Yvandel grabs Thulli's arm, and speaks quickly to him. The man looks confused for a moment, then nods. As Yvandel starts to cast a spell, Thulli glances all around, fingering his daggers as he looks for an opening. Seeing Jenkins pushed back, the throws a couple of daggers at the lead goblin, one of which hits, punching into the goblin's shoulder.

Merrell tries to watch all fronts at once, hefting his own daggers, whilst Blondung nearby casts a spell of his own to no visible effect.

Behind the goblin's front line, several goblins continue to stagger around in the wind of the summoned dust devil. One near the centre is pummelled into the ground by the force of the wind.

Herod continues to focus his attention on his summoned dust devil.

ROUND THREE

Lucretia, now armed with his bastard sword, literally gets into the swing of things, actually managing to push back the goblins in front of him and Serena a little, as he chops down two of their number using brute strength alone. He doesn't manage it unscathed though, as one of the goblins manages to pierce his splint mail with it's spear (OOC: 5hp damage) before being cut low. All other blows are deflected or blocked by Lucretia's sword and shield.

Serena, trying to fend off goblin attacks, struggles to free her sword arm from the net, eventually shrugging it over her shoulder towards where she thinks Balnor is. (OOC: I'll let you continue with 2 attacks next round as if you had your one attack this round)

Rostar, moving quickly, strikes down the goblin in front of him, and steps around the falling body to stand next to Lucretia, trying to help cover the gap between the wagons. Several goblins attack him in turn, and he cries out in pain as he is slashed by a sword and pierced by a spear. Staggering a step, he redoubles his efforts to hold the line.

As Radatt regains his feet, the goblins charge again, this time forcing Merd and Radatt apart and breaking through the line - several leaping from the top of the wagon to join the charge towards the weaker looking figures at the rear. Blondung and Kielt both back off towards Renda, who wraps her fingers around her mace worriedly. However Merrell steps across in front of them gesticulating. A sudden spray of liquid erupts from his outstretched fingers, and the lead four goblins all shriek in pain as the acid burns into them. The fall to the ground writhing and clutching at their steaming bodies. An acrid stench fills the air. Two further goblins, caught at the very edge of the spray hesitate, only to be hit by daggers from Blondung and Kielt.

Meanwhile, Milo, Merd and Radatt are faced by only four remaining goblins. Seeing the fate of their companions at Merrell's hands, and the determination of the three that turn towards them - one of them with a flaming sword - the four back off slowly instead of attacking.

Balnor, Yvandel and Thulli all scramble to help Jenkins, causing the goblin following him to hesitate. Thulli doesn't hesitate, and throws his dagger at the goblin from point blank range, the blade striking it in the chest. A surprised expression appears on it's face, and it is about to take another step back when the goblin behind it shoves it forward. Balnor is almost just as surprised as the goblin stumbles forward only to impale itself on Balnor's outstretched rapier (OOC: Critical hit!). The two behind it jerk the dead goblin aside, almost ripping Balnor's rapier from his hand, and slash forward with their own weapons. Balnor tries to dodge, but is just scratched by one of the goblin's spears (OOC: 2 hp damage). Thulli takes a blade in his side, gasping with pain, and misses with his own riposte.

Yvandel, marginally behind Thulli, wonders what he is doing so close to the front line, but grips his staff (the one from the con man Minerell the Marvellous!) nervously and stays to watch over Jenkins as he retrieves his axe.

Ganda continues to fire his arrows at the goblins. Two of them, having seen one of their comrades downed by the half-elven bowman, charge towards him, leaving the axe wielding dwarf behind, hoping to eliminate the source of the deadly arrows. Ganda quickly shoots again, but his arrow only just catches one of the goblins, and it charges on, only maddened by the minor wound. As they get too close for him to fire any more arrows, he throws the bow at them instead, drawing his sword.

Meanwhile Larz takes advantage of the reduction in his opponents to step back and utter a quick prayer to Clanggeddin. A ball of flame suddenly appears in his hand, and he hurls it at the closest goblin. The ball explodes on impact, showering the neighbouring goblins with flame, and dropping the one it hit in a screech of pain.

One of Cleo's attackers was one of the goblins caught by the flames, and as it is distracted by the pain of the flames, Cleo takes advantage, gutting it efficiently with her broadsword (OOC: 9hp damage) Her other attacker is not so distracted though, and slashes her with it's sword (OOC: 3 hp damage).

Ceely, weaving her harpoon in front of her like a snake about to strike, lunges forward at the same time as a couple of goblins. One of them takes the harpoon through the throat (OOC: Critical hit!) the other catches Ceely with it's own short sword (OOC: 5hp damage).

Herod, half concentrating on directing his summoned dust devil, watches his friends fight, ready to step in if any goblins breach the line.

The dust devil pounds another goblin into the dust, as the others stagger about trying to flee it's dusty whirlwind.

The two rafts continue to float down stream, now out in the main Surbrin. One of the stranded goblins on the rafts jumps for the shore and manages to reach the shallows. The rest look at the turbulent waters in fear, and soon drift out of sight further down the river into the darkness.

ROUND FOUR

Serena, having freed herself from the net, swirls forward in a display of impressive swordwork, taking out two goblins. The goblins behind shrink back from her whirling blade. Lucretia, trying to protect Rostar, swings his own blade in a long arc, forcing his opponents back for a moment, but not actually hitting anything. Rostar however is not as injured as Lucretia thinks, and steps into the space, slamming his own sword viciously into a goblin chest. The goblin's on either side jump back further, and hesitate for a moment, before turning and fleeing. Fear, it seems is contagious, and a moment later, all the goblins in the gap between the caravans are turning tail, leaving 2 more of their number lying at Lucretia and Serena's feet, as they turned their backs to run.

Milo, Radatt and Merd take a step towards the 4 goblins in front of them, and as one, they too turn and flee, running off around the corner of the wagon and heading north.

Meanwhile, another flame appears in the dwarf's hand, and Larz throws it at the nearest goblins, causing one of them to drop to the floor squealing. The others stagger back from the burning one, having been burnt themselves, and hearing the other goblins starting to flee, suddenly turn and run themselves.

As Ceely takes out another goblin, it's companions on either side join flight, and Cleo suddenly stumbles forward as the pressure of attack is suddenly taken away.

Ganda the half elf struggles for a moment with his two opponents before they too realise that the battle has been lost, and scramble to get away, disappearing past the wagon to the south. Ganda quickly grabs his bow again, but is too slow to fire at them before he looses his line of sight.

Leaving their dead and dying behind them, all the goblins flee the battlefield. The last few, chased by Herod's summoned Dust Devil, stagger off as well.

Panting, the group slowly lower weapons and look around the foggy campsite. Renda quickly takes charge. "Who is wounded?" she asks, grabbing a bag and pulling out some bandages...

Some of the goblins had been only made unconscious or asleep by the various spells that were unleashed - Thulli and Jenkins quickly disarm them, throwing their weapons into the river.

"The water will wake them soon enough as they get swept downstream. A bedraggled goblin is less likely to attack us again!" Jenkins explains as he manhandles the first goblin towards the river, intending to throw it in.