Wow! It seems fated that Arbogast is not to break from combat. I am going to pause here and let you guys do some input as to what happens.

Though we are still posting in the Round 4 thread, Arbogast is now weary.

Doug, I am never leaving you in charge of anything again. 

Sorry, Paul. I threw everything I could find at this except the kitchen sink.

I heard from Paul and he wants Arbogast to keep running after the Beornings, so the Goblins will get another attack.

GOBLINS ATTACK

Arbogast is Defensive
TN 21 by Orc

Goblin 12  1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 3d6 : 6, 1, 4, total 11

Black Uruk  1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 2d6+5 : 1, 1 + 5, total 7

Their flight was now a contest of space and time. They needed to get to the ladder and up to the surface, but the goblin horde was pressing close.

Grimbeorn raced through the cold smithy and followed the path that they had come. The dead goblins that remained on the floor made for easy markers in the dim light. Jeers and shouts came from other tunnels, as if the horde of yrrks was growing. Above all came the cries for death from Kurgak, the apparent new master of these foul folk.

Behind the chief Beorning, Hathcyn ran though his step was hesitant. He could hear the Fire-watcher struggling behind, trying to keep up. The Man cleared the forge and kept pace with Grimbeorn, but was quickly concerned to see shapes racing towards them through the alternate passage. He held his spear in defense, as his chieftain turned the corner that led towards the storage chamber.

Arbogast ducked as the black Uruk's sword went wide. Behind them both was the tittering laugh of smaller goblins carrying their cruel bows. The Wood-man was weary and he knew not how much longer he could keep the pace and protect himself. The cold forge was before him but he could see as the goblins were attempting to cut him off from the escape route.

Grimbeorn saw the well-lit supply room ahead and knew that he would soon be outside - away from this terrible hole. But then, the passage was blocked with the shape of a large Uruk, and then another. It was the raiding party that had left earlier, now returning. The Beorning slid to a halt and lowered the Elf-maiden to the ground, gripping his axe-haft tightly as he did.

There was no way out.

There was no way to win.

They were captured... or worse.

A cruel, humor-filled voice spoke behind them, "Drop your weapons, fools. You're now the prisoners of Kurgak the Slayer, servant of the Lidless Eye!"

---

Unless you guys are going to see this to the end, this is where our story takes up its new storyteller. I turn it over to you, Paul.

Matt, Tom - let me know what you want to do. 

The Beorning seethes.  In his mind he sees a way for somebody, maybe another, could escape.  Neither would it be him or Laeral though and neither would live.  As he prepares to press an attack, he hears,

"Now is not yet your time, young bear.  Patience is the lesson you must learn this day. Protect your companions and bide your time."

The voice he recognizes not but implicitly he trusts it. There is a feeling of familiarity but a foreigness to it as well.  His shoulders slump but his grip doesn't loosen on his axe yet.  "It is done.  We live now to fight for tomorrow," he whispers to Hathcyn and Arbogast.  With that, he stands up his axe with head on the ground and base of haft in hand.

  do I need to make a corruption roll? I have Curse of Wrath and a special hatred for these creatures.

Oh, there's going to be plenty of corruption rolls coming up.  But you're right - It should be a little harder for Hathcyn to swallow.  I'm tempted to tell you to just take a point of Shadow straight out of petty cash, but instead I'll be fair and just bump the TN up a notch for him. 

Corruption rolls for everyone:
Arbogast (TN 14)


Grimbeorn (TN 14)


Hathcyn (TN 16)


Laeral (TN 14)

Okay, Hathcyn is not taking this well, and neither will Laeral when she wakes up.  One Shadow point each. 

Hathcyn looks at Grimbeorn but the spear doesnt leave his hands. A sound more like a beast comes out of his throat.

"Better to be slain..."

He walks slowly forward with his spear leveled.

Grimbeorn puts a firm hand upon his kin's shoulder.  "When your end will mean something.  Now is not that day. No one will know of our deeds and our names will be lost to the ages." He pulls in close, "Patience will be rewarded, we will have our chance to right this wrong."

Handsomely said, Matt.  Tom, I'll wait until this afternoon (my time - about midnight on your end) and if I haven't heard anything more I'll move the story along on the assumption that Hathcyn surrenders.

From our of the darkness, the laughter of Kurgak sounds, deep and mirthless as the slamming of a tomb door, and swiftly joined by the spiteful tittering of the lesser goblins.

"Work 'em over, lads," growls the great orc as he emerges to snatch the Bear Claw from Grimbeorn's hand.  "The boss knows these ones, and he wants to see 'em personally."

Hathcyn, lowered his spear. The dropping of his spear team fell at glacial speed, but he assented to Grimbeorns orders.