@Diablodil It seems it is your turn next.

Seeing that the two large dogs are extremely hostile, and moving towards him, Theren readies himself for a fight. He moves towards the dogs, knowing that turning his back on them would only make the situation worse. Actually getting to the dogs though would take too much energy though, so instead he takes a defensive stance, focusing entirely on dodging whatever attacks are thrown at him.

The pair of enormous dog-creatures continue to pad forward several steps before breaking into a bounding stride to close on the wood elf, flanking him in a show of basic pack tactics. Despite having prepared himself in case of attack, it was clear that the elf was not prepared for the coordinated strike from both sides at once. Though his evasive maneuvers were enough to avoid one of the sets of snapping jaws, the second worg manages to get a sizable portion of elf to supplement its dinner of dog meat.



@JohnnyWeird You are up next.
@Diablodil You may interject a post at any time up to (and including) your next post, which could be any last words you might want to say before dramatically collapsing and beginning to bleed out (though you only need to start making death saving throws when we come up again to your initiative).

One of Parsifal's "Animal Couplets" springs unbidden to Marcon's mind.

"This noble Dog, my truest friend!"
So bragged the Hunter of his beast
The Dog upon his corpse did feast
'Twas but a Jackal in the end.

Old prejudices confirmed, the warrior looses his arrow at the beast that felled Theren.



Looking to exploit the savagery of these creatures, he aims for its leg. If it can be hobbled, perhaps its packmate will turn on it as an easy meal.

It didn't take long for the pair of goblins to get over their shock at the new arrivals. Though they eyed the nearby window briefly as though debating making a break for it, as the pair of them drew their scimitars it seemed apparent they thought that the two of them together could finish the job that someone had started on Galen's face. With wordless shrieks, they threw themselves at the man, swinging wildly. Unfortunately, it seemed Galen had been prepared in case of just such a circumstance and both swings went wild.


@Ynnek7 is up next.

"Goblins!", Anchor bellowed over the dying ringing of the bell. He hoped that he was loud enough for his fellow investigators outside, and perhaps even those remaining with the caravan, to hear. From what he knew of goblins, they prefer to stay in groups. Anchor knew these two couldn't be the only ones around.

Anchor pulled his trident from his back and shook off the cloth that was lightly wrapped around its business end. "Let's try to keep one of these things alive so they can tell us whats going on.", he said, as he entered the room along side Galen.

Anchor swung the trident broadly, trying to knock the goblin who was last ringing the bell out.



The little thing was too fast for Anchor, however, and it jumped over the swinging trident with ease.

@GRMBRN

The goblin jumped in the air to avoid the swing of a trident, and landed on the ground. The thing was probably so proud of itself. Not for very long, though. Galen dropped his walking stick, and chanted arcane words. A few unusual gestures, and one quite common one, and out of his hand shot three bolts of pure energy.

Splitting to three distinct paths before converging again, the goblin tried to dodge them, but they changed course instantly whenever it tried to move. The three blasts hit at exactly the same moment, spraying little bits of goblin behind the larger chunks left behind. Galen walked past where the larger goblin chunks lay, taking care to step on them as he passed, and moved to the window, advising the remaining goblin, "Best sit down and stay put, if ya know what's good for ya. We'd like a little word with ya, but if that ain't possible, I might get a little mad at ya."

The goblin took a swing at Galen once more, but must have been too afraid to properly aim. It went completely wide, leaving Galen amused, "Now, see, that's exactly what ya shouldn't do."

Upon reaching his destination, he retrieved his axe from his belt.



@KermitKing is up next, though @0 Azzy 0 might want to take the opportunity attack. Or the goblin might be too busy pissing its pants from watching Galen not get hit at all and proceed to explode its partner.

When Tortetarte reached the main square, he was unaware of the events around the Temple. Glancing to his left he sees Thren(?), Erin(?), There in(?). Either way, the elf has approached two large 'dogs', and they have approached him back. Now He's on the ground. Mark has Fired an arrow at the offending creature, but There In is still on the ground.

Tortetarte grabs his holy symbol, and speaks '
May Mishakal's ears hear my words, heal the wounded'

Watching There In's wound close and color return to his flesh, Tortetarte then Darts to hide by the building nearest There In. Pulls out his sword, and prays he wasn't noticed by the Doggos.

@STGcaveman

Ealwald is totally freaking out internally. While completely (and mostly irrationally) fearing for his life almost reflexively fires magic missile at remaining goblin, hoping that this nightmare will soon end.

The last round summary:

Out in the town square, Theren approaches the devildoggos warily, ready to defend himself if need arises. Which it promptly does. Though he is nimble enough to avoid one attack, he is still surrounded by doggos and gets bitten to death (dying). Fortunately, brave Theren is not alone and his companion, Marcon, lets loose an arrow at one of the beasts. His aim is true, though the beast still stands. Tortetarte isn't one to let a good man die so young and drags Theren away from death's door with a healing spell before drawing his sword.

Meanwhile, back in the temple, Beedo and Vark were busy having a grand time ringing the temple bell. Upon being interrupted by a crazed elf who lost a fight with a blender at some point in time, they draw scimitars and attacked! Unfortunately for our brave goblins, they weren't accounting for the nimble response from 'ol shovelface. Anchor lets out a cry that is drowned out by the sounds of bells still resonating and takes a half-hearted swing with his trident that goes wild. Galen, on the other hand, isn't having any shit from these goblins and explodes one with a magic missile before moving into the room and drawing his axe. Brave Vark takes a wild swing but misses once again before also being exploded by a second magic missile fired by Ealwald.

Which brings us to the top of the order with:
@Diablodil

Despite having just been about to pass out from the wound he took from one of the large dog like creatures, after managing to dodge the attack of the first, Theren suddenly feels his strength returning to him. He looks and sees that the wound that was previously causing him to bleed out has magically healed. He can only surmise that one of the group that had come into the town with him has a spell or blessing that allows them to heal from a distance. He quickly realizes though that whoever healed him, they did so when the beats were still standing over him. For a moment, Theren considers playing dead and attacking the beasts from behind once they go after someone else. However, Theren realizes that he has no real talent in acting, and that these creatures have already proven that they are clever enough to see through such a ruse. Although it will certainly be dangerous, his only real option is to go on the offensive. He quickly jumps to his feet and notices that one of the beasts has been injured, hit by an arrow. He attacks this one, swinging his shortsword at it first, before following up with a martial arts strike with his fist.

After Theren's daring display of prowess, one of the two dog-creatures is looking much the worse for wear. Still, these creatures seem to be out for blood an still have the elf surrounded. Letting out another snarl, the wounded beast lunges for Theren without any success. Yet, just as before the superior pack tactics these beasts have brought to the fray has worked against our brave hero and the second beast strikes from behind even as the first attack misses. Tearing the recently healed wound right back open, Theren is once again dragged back to death's door. Perhaps discretion might have been the better part of valor.


@JohnnyWeird is up.

"Shit."

Marcon sees the elf fall a second time. Punching a dog? Ill-advised, but none could question such courage.

His hands and arms reload and draw the bow as his mind races.

"Always strike a distracted foe," he quotes to no one in particular as the arrow flies to the same dog as before. Armstrong was no knight, but her "Tactics and Victory" had been read by more generals than Marcon could name.

Anchor turns to look for the source of the second goblins demise, and sees Ealwald standing there. A brief look of disappointment appears on Anchor's face at the loss of what could have been a decent source of information. He shakes it off, however. It's not everyday that one comes face to face with threats such as goblins, and sometimes self preservation is the best option.

Realizing the bell was still too loud for him to shout over, Anchor makes his way back to the entrance of the temple. He uses his now drawn trident as a walking stick, and as he passes Ealwald he gives him a supportive pat on his shoulder.

Once at the entrance to the temple, he shouts again. "Goblins about! Watch out for anymore!"



Anchor glances to his left towards the town square where he sees Marcon and Tortetart advancing towards what appears to be two large dogs fighting over a body. Looking closer, he recognizes the body as that of one of the elves from the caravan. Pushing off the ground with his trident, Anchor advances towards the group to aid them.

Galen made his way to the exit, and stopped upon seeing the overgrown turtle and the one that talked like some kind of nobleman. They appeared to be attempting to attack one of the grotesque dogs that were standing over some corpse in the middle of the square. He wasn't that fond of snooty, but the turtle had guts, and looked to be heading that way, too. Even the big guy was over towards the dogs by now. Heck, if they were that intent on hitting the things, who was Galen to not help. A few more words and gestures and out of Galen's hand shot a bolt of arcane fire. It struck one of the dogs, the one with the arrows in it, and the thing collapsed to the ground, dead and on fire. He was quite pleased to have landed such a clean shot from his magic, and even took a moment to quietly congratulate himself.

Tortetart sees There In stand up, hit the offending dog, and then get mauled by the other dog. He's an the ground again.

"Would you mind not dying today?"

But before Tortetarte can make a decision on healing There in, Marcon puts another arrow in the first dog, and the Darker elf sets it ablaze.
Tortetarte takes the chance to get closer to There In, in order to heal him, but at the last moment he realizes his sword has actually been a mace this entire time, moves up and swings at the dog's head.



Tortetarte comes up short, mace falling out of reach of the dog's head, and landing a solid blow to the ground, leaving a little divot, and some dust in the air. Tortetarte lets out a small chuckle, while looking the dog in the eye.

@STGcaveman

Astonished at the success of his attack, Ealwald barely notices the appreciation he receives from Anchor, but quickly realizes that sticking with him might increase the odds of survival. Ealwald quickly follows after Anchor with a frantic "Hey, wait for me!" as he still doesn't know what in the name of the gods he is doing.

Last round summary:

Today is not a good day for poor Theren. While starting off strong by leaping to his feet and delivering a couple of savage blows to the already injured beast, they once again got the better of him and by the end of their brief exchange two worgs were left standing and Theren was left dying in the dirt.

Marcon, over near the edge of the square, barely pauses for breath before popping another arrow into the same beast that has been taking all the punishment thus far. Reinforcements arrive from the temple in the form of Ealwald, Galen and Anchor. While Anchor shouts a warning while charging in and Ealwald follows, Galen hurls a ball of fire which finishes off the wounded worg. Tortetarte attempts to throw himself into the melee, but instead decides that the ground has deeply offended his delicate tortoise sensibilities and starts trying to dig a new well with his mace at the feet of the uninjured worg.

The sound of bells has died down to mere echoes in the distance.

@Diablodil Time to roll a death saving throw...

Theren's bleeding out continues.

roleplayerguild.com/rolls/5445 3

Marcon's demeanor is calm. "A chaotic battlefield can be mastered by an ordered mind," the sage Thrembrelgan maintained. Another arrow flies, this one to thr remaining worg.