(069) Pilgrims & Practicalities

[waysoftheearth]

Hiridhren moves at 12" and Dorgan at 9", so 120ft and 90ft per move. There are two moves per turn, so they will each arrive at the contested doorway part way through their second move; the Elf first, followed by the Dwarf. Meanwhile, a bunch of other Goblins (moving at 9") have the same idea...

After taking a nasty cut (and realising his very life is on the line!) Morgan concedes ground to defend himself in the hope that help will arrive before the Goblin cuts his throat. His delaying tactic works wonders; despite the Goblin's lunging and slashing blade Morgan dodges and parries with practiced ease. And lo! The Goblin is drawn deeper into the room, so that Hiridhren the Elf rushes at it from the flank with a sweeping slash of his white sword. Alas! He is distracted by another wretch arriving in the doorway, and makes no fatal blow. Dorgan is close on Hiridhren's heels but waylaid as the adjacent window bursts inward and another Goblin gains a scrambling egress into the refectory--with more behind it! But this ground is not taken without receiving a glancing blow from Dorgan's axe!

"It's a filthy dwarf!" they scream, "Kill it!!"

The first goblin has no reason not to push the attack and, with its shorter weapon, would automatically win the initiative even if Morgan had not elected to parry.

Goblin 1d20=9 @-4 =5 (wouldn't hit AC 9) so misses (Morgan has no free counter strike because he is not employing a lighter weapon).

Now Hiridhren arrives to attack on the flank: Hiridhren 1d20=9 @+2 (would hit AC 8) so misses.

Meanwhile, new opponents arrive via the window, to find Dorgan in their way. Dorgan has but one round this turn due to moving into contact: 1d20=8 @+2 (would hit AC 6) hits, 1d6=1, ref rolls goblin hit points (1-1 HD) 1d6-1=3, so no kill.

So we now have at least four goblins (two via the door, one via the window, and another yet clambering through the the window).

What do you intend for the upcoming third combat turn?

[Fatal T]

If Dorgan is amenable, Morgan will try and bash in the skull of the goblin coming in through the window if he and Hiridhren can occupy the ones that are already inside. Otherwise, Morgan will just attack whichever is closest to him.

[sully]

Dorgan laughs and bellows "There better be a lot more of ya if'n yer planning ta kill The Rock!" Dorgan will focus all his attacks on the goblin that came through the window, unless he can also attack the second one coming in the window. In that case, he'll try to hit both of them.

Dorgan is Hero-level and these guys are normal-types. They're going to attack you no matter what. Just parry for a round while I close down the window and I'll be over to wipe up the others next round.

Ways, are the two by the door close enough for Dorgan to attack or can he only reach the ones by the window?

[waysoftheearth]

A couple of amendments:

1) Dorgan The Rock has a 9 intelligence, so he only knows two languages and these are Aurulgan (aka dwarf-speak) and Illiberal (aka common). He don't even read more than a few words confidently--readin' is fer wizards. 2) Goblins are in fact 1-1 HD (not 1 HD), but that doesn't matter; they are normal-types and therefore subject to multiple attacks per turn. (I updated your last post).

In answer to your questions:
The window is about 20ft from the door. Morgan and Hiridhren are by the door and Dorgan by the window. You can try to move about during a melee, subject to your combat rolls. If you win a round (a round being an exchange of blows, not a specific period of time), you get to push forward. If you lose a round, you get pushed back.

It seems likely that Dorgan might run his axe through a few Goblins during the next combat turn, but let's not forget that both Morgan and Hiridhren could both be slain by just one hit, and both have pretty weak ACs, so they could very easily be hit...

[sully]

In that case, Dorgan will attack the goblin in front of him. If he kills it and there are rounds remaining, he will ignore the one coming through the window and move to help Morgan with his foe(s).

[Fatal T]

Morgan sets his flail to parry again, stepping back to let the Rock lead the fight.

Morgan is defending. Get'em Sully.

[waysoftheearth]

"Tha Rock!" squeal the goblins in dismay, and those clambering through the window fall back as violently as they are able, allowing Dorgan to rush to the aid of his companions at the door.

The rules do tell that a hero will not be targeted by normal-types while their are normal-targets available, so the goblins will attempt to avoid Dorgan and target Morgan and Hiridhren instead. Those coming through the window fall back, defending, allowing Dorgan the freedom to reach the door and engage the goblins there.

And not a moment too soon, for the numbers at the door have quickly doubled and Morgan and Hiridhren are sorely beset to hold the monsters off! Dorgan ain't cowed by any number of goblins and he crashes into them like a hammer blow; hewing goblin necks and thews with Mads Cold Iron Axe, and felling half of them in short order. But even as they fall more arrive, and woe! Hiridhren the Elf is mortally punctured by the stab of a crooked goblin blade!

Morgan and Hiridhren realise they are overpowered and defend. Two more goblins arrive via the door; two will attack prior to Dorgan's arrival, the other two after.

Goblins d20=6,1, both miss. Neither Morgan nor Hiridhren have a lighter weapon, so neither gets a counter strike.

Dorgan d20=17,4,1,17; two hits: 2d6=7 hp. Injured goblin takes 2 more hp, leaving 5. Ref rolls HD for three more goblins: 3d6=6,5,5, so 5,4,4 hp. A second goblin is slain, and a third takes 1 hp damage leaving it with 3 hp.

Two remaining goblins attack Morgan and Hiridhren: d20=10,18@-4 (would hit AC 5). Hiridhren (AC 6) is hit, 1d6=5 hp and is slain (were he a PC he would only be incapacitated on 0 hp, but as he is an NPC he is instead slain).

Dorgan [MV 9" AC 3/5 HD 4+4-4 hp 17 L] (poisoned)
Morgan [MV 12" AC 7/7 HD 1 hp 8 5 L]
Hiridhren [MV 12" AC 6/6 HD 1 hp 5 0 L] (slain)

Despite Dorgan's effort there are still four goblins pressing the attack...

Your orders for the next combat turn?

[sully]

Dorgan says, Get behind me, Morgan. I got killin' ta do.

The dwarf will press the attack on the goblins at the door.

I'm entirely cool with Morgan parrying until the odds slide a little more in our favor.

[Fatal T]

"As you command!" replies Morgan, moving to allow Dorgan to go forward and engage the enemy.

Morgan will continue to defend. The Rock has this well in hand it seems.

[waysoftheearth]

Morgan continues to parry efficiently, holding back two goblins while Dorgan throws himself into the gap, attempting to block the door so that the fighting-man can disengage. Alas it doesn't go quite to plan. The poison must be eatin' at the dwarf, his boots feel lead-slow and his arm a spent force; the goblins are just too quick. He barely manages to clip one of the dastardly foe, and can't seem to put his axe past the ruckus of their blades; another greenskin parries his blow--at least tha dagger is dashed from its grip!

"'Ware!" cries Morgan as he spies one, then another! goblin slink in through the window... surely he and Dorgan will be flanked at six to two??

More fightin'!

Two goblins faced with Tha Rock try to defend themselves, the other two try to skirt past him to neck Morgan. Will they get by before Dorgan cuts them down? Only the initiative dice know: 1d6; Dorgan=2, Goblins=4. So yes.

Two goblins attack Morgan 1d20=6, 13 (@-4 neither would hit AC 9), two misses. No counter strike allowed because Morgan's fail is not lighter than the goblins' daggers.

Dorgan attacks 4d20=15, 5, 1@-4, 12@-4 (would hit AC 4,--, --, 7), one hit, and one parried. 1d6=1 damage, and disarms the parrying goblin.

Next turn...?