Day Six

[JadedDM]

"Coins? Oh, yeah, forgot about that," Barlemus says, scratching the back of his head. "Ah, that's okay, though. Remember, I found this in the troll's lair," he says, pulling a blue gemstone out of his pocket. "Figure that makes us even."

[HorizonsDream]

"Oh...right," Tavi says, sounding a little surprised. No one was taking the money that she was offering. With a small smile, she gives Barlemus a hug. She kind of lingers for a moment and kisses his cheek. "Well, thanks again, just in case I don't get the chance to say it after all of this is done."

[JadedDM]

"Ut, thanks," Barlemus says, blushing slightly. "You've become a pretty good friend, so I'm glad we did meet."

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Tavi earns a +1 reaction to Barlemus.

[HorizonsDream]

"Yeah, thanks," Tavi says, kicking at some dirt with her feet. "Okay, so I guess we better get some rest before we raid the goblins. I just...didn't want to have any regrets just in case I didn't make it out."

[JadedDM]

Barlemus scratches his cheek. "Listen, Tavi..," he begins.

"Trouble!" Arvin shouts, rushing toward them. "We have company," he says ominously.

Sure enough, to the east, a squadron of goblins comes marching forward, squinting in the bright daylight. They march in unison, perfectly disciplined. Most are wearing leather armor, as usual. A few wear scale armor, however. One in the back wears banded mail.

"I thought you said goblins only send hunting parties at night," Arvin hisses to Barlemus.

"That ain't no hunting party," Barlemus replies warily. "That's a full on war party."

The goblins come to a halt about forty feet away at the command of the one in banded mail. At another command, one of the goblins in the front row steps forward and calls out to them in Common.

"You betray us!" he accuses, pointing at Tavi. "You attack our hunting parties. Survivors see you, tell Shaman. Shaman knows. Both sisters sacrificed tonight under full moon! Chieftain come for you. Surrender, become slaves, will be allowed to live. No surrender, die here. Is your choice!"

"Ut," Barlemus mutters. "This is bad."

[HorizonsDream]

Tavi turns to face the war party of goblins with wide eyes. The only thing that she really seems to understand is that her sisters were going to be sacrificed tonight. She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't let the rest of her family die off because she was stupid. "We have a choice here," she says to Arvin and Barlemus. "But it isn't a very good one. I'm NOT going to let my sister's be sacrificed."

[JadedDM]

"Do you have a plan then?" asks Barlemus. "Because I don't know if we can take them all on."

"Especially in your condition," Arvin points out. "Although if I could take out their leader...the others may scatter. The question would be, can you two hold them off until then? Or do you have any other ideas?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Maybe we should let them capture us," Tavi proposes. "We wanted to get in there anyway," she says softly. "This would be our way to do it."

[JadedDM]

"Ut, I think they plan on disarming and tying us up if we surrender. Do you have a plan to get out of that?" Barlemus asks.

[HorizonsDream]

"I have a healing potion," Tavi says. "I can give it to Barlemus, which gives him more of a chance to fighting these bastards off. I can join Arvin up in the tree, taking them out from a distance while Arvin focus' on the leader?"

[JadedDM]

Arvin's blue eyes widen in surprise. "You would sacrifice him?"

Barlemus immediately interjects. "No, it's a good plan. Give me the potion. I'll hold them off as long as I can. Arvin, you need to keep her safe if I fall, right?"

The elf snorts. "Humans! I'll never understand you."

[HorizonsDream]

"Even if I did stay down there with him, I would still give him the potion Arvin," Tavi says. "I would be taken down in two seconds if I were to stay with him. Plus, if I was to stay down there with him, he would worry about protecting me and keeping the goblins off of you. This way, he can just focus on the goblins, and do what he does best," she explains her reasoning as she pulls her potion out of her pack to give to Barlemus.

[JadedDM]

Taking the potion, he grabs the cork with his teeth, yanks it out, then spats it to the ground. He then chugs the entire thing quickly, before tossing the empty bottle on the ground. Instantly, the worst of his injuries begin mending themselves.

Drawing his sword, he says, "Go. Now, I'll hold them off as long as I can." To the goblins, he shouts something at them in their own language. Tavi doesn't know what he says, but it apparently offends the goblins, because they snarl, squinting in the sun, and draw their weapons.

==============

Barlemus drinks a Potion of Healing (2d4+2): 7 HP

[HorizonsDream]

Tavi quickly gives him a kiss on the cheek. "Good luck," she says before she runs for Petal's tree with her crossbow in hand.

[JadedDM]

Tavi and Arvin make a break for the largest nearby tree, Petal's tree. As they scale up it, Barlemus slowly withdraws toward them as the first wave of goblins charges right at him. Gritting his teeth, he goes into a defensive posture, determined to lay down his own life to buy his friends time.

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Initiative Order
Barlemus (1d10): 10
Arvin (1d10): 3
Tavi (1d10): 2
Goblin Elite (1d10+6): 13
Goblin Bodyguards (1d10): 5
Goblin Chieftain (1d10): 5

Round 1!

Tavi runs to and climbs up Petal's tree.
Arvin runs to and climbs up Petal's tree.
Goblin Bodyguards and Goblin Chieftain hold position.
Barlemus goes into full defense and withdraws to the tree (AC improves by 3 points).
Goblin Elite charge toward Barlemus.

(Actions for Round 2?)