Following Rissi out of mutual respect, Yobi drew her knife. She'd had no luck with a bow, but maybe it was Desna challenging her. Regardless, she stood next to Rissi, ready for anything...so long as "anything" was a small goblin attack and not like...a dragon or something. She really hoped it wasn't a dragon. She doubted a dragon would bark or scream. "I should be a little more useful now. Just had to get warmed up, right?" Yobi's typical optimism finally kicked back in. She couldn't let matters of religion slow her down or make her doubt her abilities. She was sure that had more of an impact than Desna herself did at this moment.

Rissi nodded and chuckled softly. "Why didn't you tell me you had fur? I would have felt less lonely around here. So, think I should go in with bombs or crack some skulls?" She looked up at the fox-like woman next to her and tapped her tail patiently along the ground. "Definitely gonna need a bath after this. I hate being dirty." She wasn't kidding. As she was genetically related to rats, she had a very big clean streak when it came to keeping her fur clean and her whiskers straight. That being said, she could and would deal with grime until she could bathe next.

Dhalgren stood quietly, listening to the others converse with the priest. His eyes browsed over the other members of the thrown-together party, trying to fit the various individuals before him into some sort of role. As his eyes settled on one of the party members, he saw her suddenly shift forms becoming definitely more foxlike, and bearing two foxtails. Dhalgren, almost dropped his halberd at seeing such, and he fumbled awkwardly with it for a second. He had to make a conscious effort to close his gaping mouth, never having seen such before. He had heard of off stories and rumors of peoples and creatures who could change their form, but that didn't lesson the impact of seeing it for real.

Seeing the lack of any real reaction from the others, Dhalgren schooled his expression into that befitting a warrior, although his mind was still wondering what exactly she was now. Scratching idly at his neck, he kept quite, thinking and running scenarios and theory's through his mind. He wondered if she could become a full fox, or either become something different such as a bird or cat. He tried not to stare but found his eyes lightly affixed to her fox ears, and particularly her tails. I wonder if you cut on off if she could grow another? Do they regenerate? Or are they made from magic? If so you could probably make good money from selling them. It would be painful to cut one off I'm sure, but no pain no gain right? He thought, but was then that he was shocked from his thoughts a injured scream rang through the air.

Sighing, he took a moment to run back pull his javelin from a crate nearby to where he killed the first goblin. Takings quick second to insure that is was still usable, he ran back to stand slightly behind Rissi, hefting the javelin in his right hand ready for whatever was next.

Roan ignored whatever else was happening around and instead focused on the blond girl that had just approached him. When he heard her last comment he raised an eyebrow in response, his doubt about her abilities perceptible while he analyzed the girl from head to toe. Finished with this, he didn’t even try to suppress a sigh as his expression changed to one of obvious disappointment at her meek appearance. While he scratched his chin, Roan remarked on what she had said. “Yeah, right. For all I know Desna herself could have planned this.”He waited a moment to see if there would be any manner of reply before he went after fighter and the ratfolk. The only two capable members of their little alliance of convenience, besides Roan himself, the two both set on a heroic dash to the next encounter with the foul smelling and incredibly irritating goblins.

He acknowledged their actions and unsheathed his Greatsword. While Roan ran, he attempted to keep his attention on any sign of trouble, but he was too distracted by the ramifications and the meaning of all that was happening. At least it’s not the absolute worst that it could be. Of course, this was if one was going to discount the facts that he was sure that priest was just waiting to backstab them when appropriate and that he had no idea of what was in fact happening on this town. Amidst these thoughts, Roan let out a humorless chuckle coupled with words aimed more to himself than anyone in particular.”When this is over, the reward better be something more than a frigging ‘thank you, please come again’ nonsense.”

Silver could see the same thing that she saw in most travelers eyes when she approached. A confusion and disbelief that she was capable of doing anything. It was something that she liked to see. She liked to be regarded as innocent, it made everything run more smoothly in getting people to go along with things. Although, the doubt something caused her trouble, she didn't think it would do anything today. She simply smiled peacefully and tried to keep up with the rest of the group as they went off to fight more things. Although, she wasn't sure how much good she could do. At least if she did one helpful thing that would be something.

She went through her spells in her mind, hoping that she had something useful that she could cast. The screams made her looking around frantically for someway to help, but she didn’t see much around them yet. She tried to clam her mind and think clearly. When others spoke it seemed to echo in her mind as unimportant. She didn’t ignore them, but wasn’t listening as clearly as she could. She was trying her best to relax and let her goddesses take over her being for a moment. That was when she fought the best, when her head was finally clear.

As you all approach the north gate, you come across what appear to be a trio of goblins and their cornered bait, a civilian wearing rather high quality clothing indicating his nobility among common folk.Though it was hard to judge him as not being common what with hm currently hiding behind a barrel.



Of course, that was only slightly noticeable compared to what followed after the tragic sound of a dog giving it's death yelp from getting it's throat slit. The one who took the poor dog's live was yet another goblin, but this one was much better prepared for combat. Fine leather armor worn on it's body, a quiver of arrows on his back with a bow in one hand and one of the goblin's signature blades in it's other hand. What's more, it was standing astride a rather disgusting and ugly sight: what appeared to be a hairless dog turned out to have the flat nose, beady eyes and the protruding teeth of a rat grown grotesquely large.

The armored goblin climbed on top of the creature to act as it's mount as it raised it's bow in a rather wide toothed grin as the other three seemed to join in the thrill of their latest kill. Strange really, there were plenty of other civilian deaths to cheer over, but there seemed to be a strange enthusiasm for having killed a plain, simple dog.

So much cheer that they seem to be blinded by their joy to even notice your approach...

((Map Updated! Everyone Roll Initiative as we start with a Surprise Round. All five of you can make one Standard or one Move action before combat officially begins))

(Please be higher than 10, please be higher than 10)
Yobi debates saving the man in the barrel. Sure, she SHOULD save him -- he's nobility and that could be useful, and he's also not a goblin -- but not having him around would be slightly less...annoying. Still, he wouldn't likely recognize her as-is, but it was really just his not-goblin-ness that convinced her he was worth keeping around. Not that treasure or other boons would be bad. Assuming in this form he wouldn't want to hunt her instead of bed her.

Yobi decides moving to a better position is called for.

Roan was surprised one of these goblins had the semblance of a skilled warrior, with the slightest of the chances of actually being one. Even if his initial impression would be wrong, Roan considered the beast his foe rode was ferocious and ugly enough to merit the benefit of the doubt, at least. As both the possibility of a challenge and of a substantial reward presented itself, Roan adjusted his position to face the small fry goblins, his sword ready to strike at any foe foolish enough to get in the reach of his blade.

Following along with the others, Dhalgren found himself laying eyes upon the rough visage of another group of goblins. He was slightly surprised to see one riding some sort of horrid ratlike beast, and he paused for a moment as he saw the goblin slay a dog with it's blade. It was then that he noticed that at the moment the group of goblins seemed to have trapped a rather richly decorated person as well. He found himself more mad about the death of the dog, than he was about seeing the bodies of some of the townsfolk about. At least he figured they could save the other person now for a possible reward. Hefting his javelin, he took a few steps to stand beside the rough ranger looking type of their party. If the one goblin charged the group on his mount, Dhalgren figured he could easily spit him with his halberd if he braced it.

Rissi moved quickly. She took a side step and aimed a throw, intending it to hit near, not on, the goblin. The vial of acid flew in a perfect arc and landed right where she wanted, splashing the caustic contents all over the goblin. She couldn't help but laugh and mock the goblin, figuring turnabout was fair play for them. "Melt and burn, your presence we shall spurn! Break and snap, you fell right into our trap!"

Silver watched everything unfold, although she couldn't spot the man from where she stood. Perhaps, she wouldn't even to be able to see him if she tried. It didn't matter now. All that seemed to matter was the battle, as she got herself ready for the next fight. When she saw the dead dog she was struck with a level of grief. She was disgusted that they didn't get there sooner to help the creature. She needed to know if it was dead or not. She said her prairies to her deities as the battle begone. She prayed for the dog and for success in their fight. She needed to make sure everyone made it out alive, she felt responsible for all of the deaths that she couldn't prevent. She needed to help anyone she could.

Initiative Order

Goblin Dog
Dhalgren
Goblin 6
Rissi
Goblin Commando
Roan
Yobi
Silver

Whether by luck on Rissi's part or Stupidity on the Goblin's part, it only had enough time to turn around before getting the full brunt of the splash from the acid flask. It wailed out in agony, but the other goblins near him couldn't help but laugh at the poor creature's agony. The one on the mount even chuckled behind his sharp teeth

"Heh heh! Only Poog stupid enough to be burned by water!"

While this taunting is going on, Silver tries to gain a look at the dog that was brought down by the commando. Sadly, it's clear the dog now serves as a fine example why executioner's axes must always be sharp, lest you end up with the head only halfway cut off like with the canine here. The goblin burned by the acid tried in vain to roll on the ground as the burning sensation made it think the only way to stop it. Yet all it did was coat the thing in dirt and have it stick against the flesh that was peeling off it places to fall to the ground. It clearly looked like it was on it's last legs what with blood oozing out here and there with only anger to keep it going.

The goblin on the disgusting, hairless creature slowly pulled out an arrow from it's quiver and notched it to be ready to fire.

"Gawg! Go skin the fox! She make a great cape!"

Indeed, as soon as the order was giving, one of the goblins howled in glee as it made a mad dash straight for Yobi and jabbed out at her with it's jagged blade. The twitchy, wobbly nature of the blade was actually to Yobi's advantage as it only skinned across her leg instead of being jabbed right through her thigh.

((Yobi takes 2 Damage! Dhalgren and Rissi are up!))

The ratfolk woman saw an opportunity to ruin Gawg's day and happily obliged by maneuvering behind it, flanking it with Yobi. As she moved, she adjusted her grip and readied to use her sledge on the unsuspecting goblin. "Hey Gawg! Time to drop the hammer!" She swung low, arcing it vertically into the goblin's chin. She hoped it would at least break the jaw, if not the skull as well. That would at least teach this one a lesson for trying to taunt professionals. She looked at the leader and scoffed at him. "Hands off the fox! We intend to keep our fur intact and in place."

Dispencing with any verbal taunts, Dhalgren hefted his halberd assessing the situation. With a quick glance around himself, he looked at the goblins and the scene about himself a little closer. Feeling that the ratfolk lady of the party would deal with the goblin currently attacking another member, he felt confident moving up and engaging a goblin of his own. Quickly sprinting forward, he leveled a quick horizontal slash at the goblin before him.

One goblin was promptly squished flat due to Rissi's hammer while another was cut down quickly by Dhalgren's sword. While the remaining goblin on foot lost all cheer in it's face, the mounted one just continuing to grin widely.

"Clever longshanks... But I'm cleverer!

It raised it's sickly fingers up to his mouth and gave a rather sharp-sounding whistle. As if out of nowhere, more goblins came from just outside the gate and one popped up near Silver! They were surrounded! Yet while the party was in the midst of trying to assess this new threat, the mounted Goblin took the time to aim it`s bow and fire right towards Rissi`s back! The arrow went clean through the poor ratfolk`s shoulder as the jagged arrow head was rather painful. He let out a rather triumphant cackle that grated on your ears, especially those with heightened hearing.

`Who`s laughing now rat? Maybe we drag you back! Make good mare for Goblin Dogs!"

It finished it's little assault by kicking into the sides of it's horrid mount to move farther back from the lines and hopefully let his rabble handle them.

((Rissi takes 3 damage. 3 New Goblins have appeared, but will not act til next turn. Roan Is up!))

From their previous encounters with the goblins, Roan had expected the battle to be over by now, with the goblins charging en masse to their swift deaths at his hands. But they didn’t and so, without any near threat, he looked at the others fighting. When more goblins appeared, Roan smiled as he commented loud enough to the goblins leader to hear. “Cleverer? You are just a coward, hiding behind vermins of your own kind.”They must really want to die. The fools, it just saves the trouble of finding them.

Still with the same expression on his face, he hustled in the direction of the goblin’s leader. On the way, as he got closer to his chosen target, he saw the bald ‘dog-mount’ closer and remembered what he knew of the creature. While he searched his memory for anything that could be useful, he pointed his greatsword to the biggest challenge he probably would find today, and confronted it with a note of contempt.

“Do your worst.”

Looking over the disgusting creature, Roan recalls that it is a Goblin Dog. A stinking, craven and foul tempered beast that the Goblins have found a strongly kindred spirit in to uses as guardians and mounts. Despite being called a "dog" it's actually more accurate to call it an overgrown rat that suffers from a species wide strain of nausea-inducing mange that is exacerbated with highly prolific dander. Even the healthiest goblin dog looks rather sickly and starved.

Of course, this didn't help Roan from being given the worst from someone other then the mounted goblin. Specifically, from the one goblin that was off to the side that took advantage of Roan's charge to yell out in it's sadistic glee to stab him hard in the thigh!

That is... if it didn't fall short and landed on the ground right next to Roan, it's jagged blade dug slightly into the ground from missing entirely. It couldn't help but look up at Roan with an uneasy smile on it's face.

"Um....Best two of three?

((Goblin 3 Misses! Yobi and Silver are up!))

Yobi watches the goblin that had attacked her die, and it didn't bother her all too much that it wasn't her who managed to do it. But soon, the leader of the goblins calls for reinforcements, which Yobi sees run in. She hadn't been a fan of goblins before, but any that called more were annoying. Unfortunately, she knew she couldn't reach them in time. Instead, she went after the nearest goblin, at least to keep one away from the others.

Silver realised after the battle raged on that the battle had moved away from her and she couldn't see any of the group anymore. She was lost, confused and she needed to find where she was going again. She ran forward towards where the group had gone, but she could still only see a fraction of the battle and none of the eniemes. She decided to wait for a round and let them continue, since she needed to save her spells and she didn't want to risk it with her crossbow. If she happened to hit one of the others than she would have another set of problems to deal with. She watched as best she could as the others fought. Trying to plan out something to do. She was feeling worthless as it was, she had only done a single thing to help the entire battle. It seemed as if her luck was only getting worse.

The goblin before Yobi have a sly smirk as it slowly ran it's tongue across it's blade.

"Walking talking fox...probably taste better!"

It then swiped out with it's small knife, hitting across Yobi's midsection. Though it was thanks it's short reach that it was no more then a superficial cut. Still, it hurt like it was worse. The goblin seemed to continue it's proud cackling as if it was right in Yobi's ear, breaking out into a little song on the spot.

"Gunna cut, gunna grind, gunna tear out the organs if you don't mind!"

If it wasn't for the terrible lyrics, you couldn't help but admit it was catchy.

((Yobi takes 1 Damage! Dhalgren is up!))