Gundren Rockseeker and his escort, a warrior named Sildar Hallwinter set out ahead of the supply wagon.
You set off, following he High Road south from Neverwinter. You've encountered little no trouble so far but this territory can be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been known to lurk along the trail.
Two days pass and you've just recently veered east along the Triboar Trail. You've been on the trail for about a half a day. As you come around a bend, you spot two dead horses sprawled about fifty feet ahead of you, blocking the path. Each has several black-feathered arrows sticking out of it. The woods press close to the trail here, with a steep embankment and dense thickets on either side. ooc: It's time to roll for surprise. I'll do this open for this encounter so you all can learn the mechanics. You have no chance of surprise but your foes have a chance of getting the jump on you. I am going to run my encounter slightly differently than Neptune and will be making a Group Surprise Check for the Goblins
The roll is a d20 roll and they add their stealth modifiers. My roll is: 7
There are 5 goblins trying to hide. They have +6 stealth. We compare the results to your passive perceptions. You must beat the Goblin's Surprise Roll to notice them. Those of you with a Passive Perception of 14+ can act in the first round.
So, please roll Initiative. You can only target an enemy you can see. That means those whose Passive Perceptions are below 14 cannot act in Round one (but roll Initiative anyway for future rounds).
Notice that I'll be posting all rolling and OOC in red. That keeps it easy to read. You should do the same.
I'm also going to use "theater of the mind" for this encounter.
Goblins Initiative Roll is (they get a single, Group Roll for Initiative as well):
12(+2)
Once you all roll Initiative I will set the turn order and open things for actions. In the meantime I am checking your Passive Perceptions..........
.....OK, checked Passive Perceptions and no one has a 14+. That means the Goblins all get to act with surprise and then we go to initiative. So everyone needs to roll Initiative and add your bonus. We'll then compare that to the Goblins roll and see where everyone gets to go in Round 2. Round 1 only the Goblins can act.
Two Goblins burst from the woods alongside the trail and attack with scimitars. One attacks Bern and the other attacks Ryssa. At the same time 3 arrows come flying from the woods and the party can see 3 more Goblins standing inside the treeline firing shortbows. Two of them target those in the wagon. One at Balthazar and one at Lingo, and the last one fires at Lumimorn.
The two Goblins charge out of the woods screaming wildly, though it is hard to tell if they are trying to scare you or they are afraid themselves. In either case their swings both miss.
Zeim rolled d20+4,d20+4 - Scimitar attacks on Bern and Ryssa - and got 9, 7 (both miss)
Three Goblins fire from the woods and they have much greater success than their fellow swordsmen. All three of them hit their targets, including the one who fired at the large Dragonborn fighter whose arrow sinks deeply into Lumimorn's side (Crit!).
Zeim rolled d20+4,d20+4,d20+4 bow attacks on Balthazar, Lingo, and Lumimorn and got 14, 16, 24
Note: A Crit results in doubled damage dice in this system. For the module the damage inflicted by the Goblins is a set amount (5 points) rather than a die roll. So for a Crit it becomes 10 points.
Everyone rolls initiative
Goblins rolled 12(+2)=14.
Last edited by Zeim; Tue 09/09/1417:13 UTC. Reason: adjusted crit damage
An arrow slams into Balthazar, knocking him backwards a bit and pain flooded his body as he looked up wildly at the attack but is unable to move due to the shock.
The horses look long dead as he signals a halt so they can clear the road.
The ambush comes as a surprise. While he is looking at the screaming goblins an arrow strikes him in the side and pierces deeply. A groan escapes the dragonborn.
[OOC: Passive Percep 10 "What, what ambush?" Initiative 10]
Bern and Ryssa rolled their attacks already. Lets have Balthazar, Lingo, and Lumimorn declare/roll your actions and I will resolve. If something happens before your turn that impacts your move I will let you change it.
Last edited by Zeim; Tue 09/09/1401:08 UTC. Reason: spelling
Balthazar, if he can not see any of the archers, will let loose a firebolt at either of the two goblins still standing, preferably the one on their cleric. He will then slip off the wagon to get some cover.
(OOC - Ken - All enemies are visible. Result of attacking is loss of Hiding. Goblins have a special ability that gives them a Bonus Action to try to hide, but they didn't choose to do it on the surprise round. Since you go before the Goblins I need you to choose a target and make your attack and damage rolls.)
Thanks, Ken. I will resolve tomorrow. If Lingo and Lumimorn wish to post their actions before I resolve I can do it all at once.
Remember, you get to move as well as attack/spell so Balthazar indicated a spell and a move action. Bern and Ryssa are in HTH and sticking there at this point (ie. no move action indicated).
He roared with pain as he felt the true hit of the arrow. That didn't stop him from pulling his Greataxe and moving to the side of Ryssa to attack one of the goblins.
[OOC: 1d20+5 to hit = 24, Damage 1d12+3 = 13 Proficiency bonus on the attack and not on the damage correct?]
Lingo The halfling tries to get down from the wagon. If he manages to do so, he will attempt to hide from the attackers using the wagon as cover.
Lingo Stealth Neptune rolled 1d20+7 and got 27
Also, Zeim. Base goblin damage is 1d6+2. The 5 points is average for that dice roll. The crit is 2d6+2 (you don't double the damage bonus) so I would say the average damage for a crit would be 8.
Hmmm ... if you =don't= add the prof bonus to thedamage, reduce my damage by 2. I thought the Prof Bonus got added to the attack =and= the damage roll.
Pande - Correct. Nep - Correct. Pande, only take 8 instead of 10 damage. Also, quick check for Ryssa and Bern. Lethal or non-lethal damage for your attacks?
The rules seem to read Prof on attacks and not damage. I can see the logical argument and ease of book keeping to be on both. I am fine either way, just need to add 2 if it is on both, or ...
Nep is in the right corner in the blue trunks and Z is in the left corner in the red trunks. "Mortal Kombat Begin"
Bern steps up and cuts down the Goblin facing him with one blow. Balthazar fires a Flaming Bolt from his fingertip at one of the Goblin archers and it screams as it is consumed by the flames and drops to the ground dead.
The remaining Goblin archers fire at the same targets they hit last time, but now that they are on even footing and not attacking sneakily, by surprise, their nervousness throws off their aim and both miss.
Goblin archers attack Lumimorn and Lingo Zeim rolled d20+4,d20+4 and got 8, 5
After missing, the Goblins attempt to duck back into the trees and hide Goblins hide Zeim rolled d20+6,d20+6 and got 11, 16
The remaining Goblin swordsman, standing in front of Ryssa, swings ineffectually with his scimitar and likewise misses the cleric.
Goblin swordsman attacks Ryssa Zeim rolled d20+4 and got 5
Lumimorn moves across to where Ryssa faces off against a Goblin swordsman and swings his Greataxe. It neatly cuts the Goblin in two.
Lingo climbs down from the wagon and ducks behind it, trying to hide from the view of the enemies.
Ryssa, preparing to face off against the Goblin swordsman sees it cut down before she has a chance to strike.
(Ex - You may change your action. Both Goblin swordsmen are dead as well as one of the archers. There are two Goblin archers remaining, one on each side of the road, both attempting to hide. If you choose to try to attack with your bow you can drop your dagger to the ground and pull out your bow as a free action. You must make an Active Perception Check to locate either of the Goblins and if you beat the Goblin's roll you are attacking normal. If you don't, you are at Disadvantage. In either case both Goblins hiding behind trees have 3/4 cover so they are +5 to their AC.)
With the up close and personal threats taken out, he dropped his rapier and pulled out his bow. There were still two archers out there. He picked the on his side of the road. He closed half the distance to where it had ducked down and readied to take the shot when he had a decent target ... it would have to show itself to fire again ... it would give its position away if it tried to leave.
Bern perception, Attack & damage MikeD rolled d20+2,d20+5,d8+3 and got 15, 6, 4 so while I may have seen it, I am guessing I missed <sigh>
He was ducked down on the other side of the wagon, groaning softly from the arrow sticking out of him but he prepped a firebolt spell in case any of the goblins showed themselves to him.
(OOC - OK. Waiting for Ryssa's action to close out the prior round. Then, moving ahead we have Bern and Balthazar both with "Readied" actions. To "Ready' an action you need to provide a 'Trigger' that will cause the action to occur. In this case it is when the "Goblin shows itself". The Goblins will step out and shoot, and the 'Readied' action occurs right after, however it will occur =before= they can use their Bonus action to try to hide again. Note: Good use of a readied action!
Also note that in this case they will not have the 3/4 cover when this happens so will lose their AC benefit. Also, no Perception roll will need to be made as they will have given up their "Hide" by stepping into view to fire. So, MikeD, no Perception roll was needed. You only needed the Perception roll if you wanted to try to fire at them while they were hiding. As that is the case, I will accept your initial roll as the 'To-hit' roll you would have had to make, meaning you have an 18 to-hit and would do 4 damage if an 18 hits.)
She'd almost lunged toward the goblin when she saw the Dragonborn nearly cleave it in half. Almost at the same moment, Ryssa saw that Luminmorn was very badly injured so she sheathed her dagger, grasped her holy icon in her left hand and, murmuring a brief prayer, reached out and touched Luminmorn.
Cast Cure Wounds on Luminmorn - Not sure if you need me to roll or not.
Yes. Cure Wounds does 1d8+Ability Modifier (Wisdom for you), so roll 1d8+3 please.
OOC: What is your domain? If it is life you get more of a bonus too. Absolutely correct Ken. Ex - With Life Domain you get 2+Spell Level bonus points to all your healing. So it'd be 1d8+6!
Ryssa steps across and with a word of prayer touches the large Dragonborn. A flow of cool healing passes through his body, ejecting the arrows and closing their punctures in his flesh (Heal 13 point, back to full HP).
Both Bern and Balthazar "Ready" actions and wait, bows trained on the trees. One of the Goblins was able to hide and the other wasn't (I rerolled with Disadvantage and one of them ended up with a 10, which everyone can see, and the other had a 16, which no one can see) so when they pop out to attack only one has Advantage.
The two Goblins pop out and fire their bows, one at Lumimorn and one at Ryssa.
Goblin Archers attack (first two d20s are for the archer with Advantage, so he ends up with a 17 against Lumimorn and the 19 is on Ryssa).
Zeim rolled d20+4,d20+4,d20+4 and got 17, 7, 19 Both hit. Both Lumimorn and Ryssa take 5 points.
The Goblins attempt to jump back behind the trees after firing their bows, but both Balthazar and Bern were waiting for them to show their ugly faces and fire at them, Bern an arrow and Balthazar a spell. Even though they have partial cover, both Balthazar and Bern hit (Goblin's AC is 2 less for the archers as they can't use their shields, which allowed Bern to hit exactly.)
Bern does 4 points of damage and Balthazar 6. Both Goblins cry out in pain, but neither of them drop. The Goblins finish trying to hide behind the trees:
Goblin Archers hide w/disadvantage Zeim rolled d20+6,d20+6,d20+6,d20+6 and got 16, 23, 7, 20 The first Goblin succeeds and the second one fails.
It is now Lumimorn's turn followed by Ryssa and Lingo. Two Goblins are left in the trees. Both trying to hide, only one succeeding. Both have 3/4 cover for moderate foliage. They are 30 feet away on opposite sides.
(DM - MikeD - A bit out of turn. Three others need to go first, so situation may have changed by the time your action occurs. We'll see what happens but you may need to redo.)
"Thank you," he says to the cleric in response to the cool feeling of healing. Then another arrow replaces the first. The dragonborn considers that his chainmail may have more holes than he originally had thought.
He charged the one goblin that he can see. When he nears the goblin he takes a wild swing.
[OOC: Note if he can't see a goblin he will stay near Ryssa to protect her.
Active Perception 1d20=1. I thought one didn't hide though. Attack with a disadvantage 1d20+5=9 to hit (second roll was 1d20+5=22), likely a miss, but rolled damage anyway to speed things 1d12+3=12] (DM - One did not succeed at hiding so no AP roll needed. Presuming you ran over to attack that one you also don't have Disadvantage so only one attack roll. Unfortunately your first attack roll missed.)
She smiled and nodded at Luminmorn and then almost immediately grunted in pain as the arrows hit her and the Dragonborn. The wound, she quickly realized, was serious but not immediately life threatening.
Trying to keep Bern between herself and the woods where the goblins were, Ryssa grabbed her short bow and an arrow from her quiver in the wagon. Quickly nocking the arrow, she drew back the bowstring, took quick aim and fired at the goblin Luminmorn was attacking.
[OOC: Let me know if I'm taking too many actions for one turn.]
Roll to Hit and Damage Goblin 1d20+4,1d6+3 = 6,8 - Obvious Miss, but the arrow damaged the hell out of a nearby bush. DM - Nope. Move to wagon is a move action. Unsheathing a weapon (grabbing your bow) is a free action. Firing is an attack. You're fine.
Hiding under the wagon, the halfling takes cover behind a wheel and fires his bow towards the hidden goblins. His arrow misses but he hopes that the wagon will shield him from further attcks.
Lingo 2nd stealth roll (disadvantage) Neptune rolled 1d20+7 and got 13 Lingo To hit. Since hidden, with advantage. Neptune rolled 1d20+5,1d20+5 and got 7, 17
Lumimorn, Ryssa, and Lingo all miss. Bern fires at the Goblin who was badly hidden and his arrow buries itself in the Goblins throat. That Goblin keels over, dead.
Balthazar is up. Remaining Goblin is hidden. Balthazar needs an AP roll to see if you attack normally or with disadvantage. You need to beat a 16....
DM - Just a reminder. Keep in mind the rule that states that if you choose to try to use nonlethal damage it can only be from a melee attack. Missile and spells always cause lethal damage.
He smiles as he hears the sound of his arrow 'finding a home'. One to go, he thinks. "What happened here is some damned dirty stinking vermin thought that they had some easy pickings", he said as he moved to the other side of the wagon and looked for the remaining goblin to break cover so he could put it out of its misery.
Bern perception, Attack & damage last goblin MikeD rolled d20+2,d20+5,d8+3 and got 14, 7, 5 Well, looks like you get one more chance to save it's life Lingo <weg>
Balthazar's eyes narrow slightly and he casts a spell, creating the sounds of someone moving behind the area that the goblin was hidden in, hoping to startle it into losing its cover and helping his team mates finish it off.
Lingo Seeing that the stupid goblin was in dire need and that they needed to interrogate it, the halfling started to run towards it, shield forward, short sword in hand, dodging it's arrows as he tries to get to it before it dies. ooc: Love that dodge! I don't think it's needed, though. The goblins will have gone already. He should get there with a 25 move since they are 30 away. He will make his non-lethal attack. Too bad I rolled like crap...
Lingo non-lethal attack Neptune rolled 1d20+5 and got 11
At the death of it's lone remaining companion, followed by the sound of Balthazar's Prestidigitation the Goblin's eyes go wide, which you cannot see , but you do first hear it begin crashing through the brush as it gives up it's attempts to hide and instead focuses on trying to flee, and then you can spot it as it runs between the thick tree trunks.
Goblin using 'Dash' action in difficult terrain gives it a net move of 30.
Lingo moves after it, but can't quite catch it. Still, he is close enough to see it and where it is going. It appears to be headed for a narrow game trail further back from the road that leads off into the woods.
(Neptune - if you want to try to keep up with it at all you would need to use the Dash action as well. You will fall 5 feet further behind each round though with your movement compared to it's.)
Lumimorn and Ryssa go. You are on the road. the Goblin is moving away as fast as it can go. It is 60 feet away now and getting further. You can fire at it this round and it will have 3/4 cover due to the thick trees between you and it. Or you can give chase like Lingo.
He gives a deep throated roar of challenge and chases after the goblin. He crashes through the foilage with little concern over anything other than speed for catching the little creature.
[OOC: Run, Dash, not sure how it works. But full out trying to catch it.]
Last edited by Pandemonium; Thu 11/09/1416:37 UTC.
Dash = double movement. If you are moving in difficult terrain where movement is halved, you factor that in as well. So if your move is 30, doubled to 60, halved to 30.
What the party needs here is a Wood Elf who gets a move of 35! Or a creative way to slow the Goblin down.
When he can, he begins to check the fallen goblins to see if any of them are still alive to be patched up and questioned. If he finds none of them alive, he will search them for loot.
DM - Just need Ryssa's action in order to close out this round and start the next round. So far, as the round is coming to a close, Lumimorn and Lingo are chasing the Goblin. Balthazar helped scare the Goblin off and Bern attacked.
For the next round, Bern is trying one last shot before the Goblin moves out of sight. Balthazar is searching.
Once Ryssa posts everyone else can post their action (Ryssa can post her action for this round and next round together, if you like Ex.)
The cleric of Lathander started to nock and loose another arrow, but the goblin was getting too far away and two of her party members were running headlong after it - she could just imagine making a terrible shot and hitting one of her own party members.
No way she was going to chase after the goblin herself. She knew she had no chance of catching it in that underbrush - besides, who knows whether the little bastard wasn't trying to lead them all into a trap or ambush?
"Call out," she called out, "and let me know who is hurt badly!"
She did not want to waste her last healing spell of the day on herself so, taking her medical kit from her rucksack, she bandaged her own wound while she waited for the others.
"Are you hurt, Balthazar?" she asked as she moved up alongside the arcane spellcaster and began helping him search the fallen foe.
Bern tries one last shot as the Goblin runs off but misses. Balthazar continues to search the bodies, aided now by Ryssa.
The Goblin continues to run. It now turns onto the faint trail and runs down it.
Lumimorn and Lingo go. Lumimorn is 60 feet behind and can close to 30 if he Dashes. Lingo is now 35 feet behind and can close to 10 if he Dashes.
(DMs Note: Unless you come up with a creative idea, you are not going to catch the Goblin. He moves at the same rate as Lumimorn and faster than Lingo. If you shoot him with an arrow you'll likely kill him. Up to you how to proceed.)
"Yes, I got hit by an arrow but we should wait until we are all together and see how is most injured. I am trying to see if any of these goblins can be saved to question them. If not, to loot the bodies."
The arrow was still in his side where it had hit him. He knew better than to pull it out without the cleric there to at least bandage him and prevent further bleeding. He was moving slowly, painfully but was still functional.
She cocked her head to one side, saw the arrow protruding from Balthazar's body and grimaced.
"I can only cast one major spell of healing (major to her - at her level of experience) today," she said slowly, frowning and considering as she glanced from him toward the woods and back.
"But I am also skilled in medicine... doctoring, and I could treat your wound and bandage it."
"Oh no you don't!" he called out as he started to a dash towards the goblin. There's no way he was going to catch up with the goblin so in a last, desperate attempt to stop him he flings his bow at the goblin's feet, hoping to trip him up.
Lingo throws bow Neptune rolled 1d20 and got 5 Lingo throws bow (advantage) Neptune rolled 1d20 and got 2
Lingo's desperate attempt to stop the fleeing Goblin fails as his flung bow catches on a tree branch and misses. The Goblin continues fleeing.
(Note: Limumorn has one chance to try to toss something that might trip the Goblin or it will have fled so far that to continue after it will create a separate party of Lingo and Lumimorn. It seems to be following a trail through the woods, and it is bleeding from an arrow wound from Bern, thus leaving a blood trail as well.)
Back at the rest of the group, Bern stands guard as Balthazar and Ryssa search.
The Goblins that attacked you (except the one fleeing) are all dead. The horses up ahead, that originally cause you to stop, appear familiar and after a moment you realize that these are the horses that Gundren and Sildar were riding. Apparently they were waylaid by these same Goblins some time before you arrived.
Searching the horse's saddlebags reveals they have been looted. However an empty leather map case lies on the ground nearby. Each Goblin carries a scimitar and scabbard as well as a short bow and quiver of 20 arrows. They have no money.
(OOC - MikeD - As Goblins are among Bern's Favored Enemies, let me know if he is searching around.)
When it was clear that Rockseeker and his group had also been ambushed, he becomes a lot more interested in the searching, but he isn't ready to let his vigil down just yet. Until Balthazar or Ryssa are finished and ready to keep watch ... or Lingo and/or Lumimorn get back, he will continue to keep watch.
Once he has a moment, he will take a look around. If nothing else, he is sure that he can find a trail to follow. The question to that will still need answering, though ... should they follow or should the continue with their 'job' or follow the goblin.
Seeing the bow land ineffectually near the goblin the dragonborn nods. Nodding while running isn't as easy it had seemed to him. He turns his huge battle axe in his hand and hurls it the the massive blade flat towards the goblin. If it were to strike or slow the goblin then they might catch it.
[OOC: He will attempt subdual damage on the goblin. Rolled the attack flat, not sure if there is a minus for hurling a two handed weapon. Unlikely to hit, but had to try.
Her healing kit in hand, Ryssa knelt at his side, but seeing his obvious discomfiture, her left hand instinctively moved up to cover the puckered, disfiguring scar on her left cheek. When she spoke, her voice was a bit hoarse.
"If my scar bothers you so, you do not have to look at me."
She carefully extracted the arrow, cleaned the wound, applied a healing ointment and quickly bandaged it before getting back to her feet and turning back to the wagon.
Ryssa did not like the short bow they'd found but put it and the quiver of arrows in the wagon alongside her own gear.
Lumimorn throws his axe at the Goblin, but it too misses, crashing into the brush on the side of the trail. the Goblin continues running as fast as it's pumping legs will go.
Ryssa uses some herbs and bandages to clean Balthazar's wound (unfortunately that is merely a RPing effect as there is no "binding" skill in this version. What the Medicine Skill specifically is used for is to stabilize a dying pc, which means that if someone drops below zero and there are no healing spells available someone can use Medicine to stop that pc from having to make any more Death Saves. He would then remain unconscious until he can be healed.)
In the meantime, Bern keeps watch, bow in hand and arrow nocked, in case any more enemies appear.
(OOC - Once you finish searching you can make a decision about whether or not to take a short rest, in which case anyone who still has damage can use their Healing Die to heal themselves. A short rest is 1 hour. To use your Healing Die you simply roll whatever you HD base is and add your Con modifier. So, for example, a Ftr who gets d10 for HP and has a Con of 14 which has a +2 multiplier can choose to use his Healing Die and after resting for at least 1 hour can roll 1d10+2 and recover that many HP of damage back. Every time you go up Levels you gain more of these HD available for Healing. So a 3rd level pc has 3 HD of healing. You can use as many of them as you wish after a Short Rest but your maximum use of them is your level/day. So each day you get your level's worth of healing HD. Those healing HD are reset again after you take a Long Rest, 8 hours of sleep.)
(OOC - Need a decision from Lingo and Lumimorn about whether you return to the group or keep after the Goblin.)
He tosses out a vulgar exclamation in draconic after the fleeing little creature. Rather than chase any more he recovers his axe and stows it upon his back.
He looks to see if Lingo would continue or give up as well. He won't leave the man to rush head long into some other ambush by himself but he for one would rather bring the entire group and exterminate the scourge.
"We need to decide, as a group, whether to follow the goblin or continue with the 'job' we were hired to do. Apparently the goblins also killed our employer, so my inclination is to follow the goblin and kill it with extreme prejudice ... as well as every one of it's brethren. But", he continued with a sigh, "I have been told that I can be ... over zealous when it comes to goblins and the like."
Once Ryssa has bandaged Balthazar, Bern takes a look around. He can easily find numerous Goblin signs. It is pretty clear the Goblins have been using the site to stage ambushes for some time.
The horses lying in the road have been dead about 1 day, and interestingly there is little sign of blood not belonging to the horses.
Looking at the edge of the woods, especially in the direction the Goblin, Lingo, and Lumimorn took off in, Bern can see signs of the beginning of a trail leading northwest.
MikeD - Make a Wisdom (Survival) Skill Check for Bern. You have Advantage on the check as it is for signs of your Favored Enemy.
She turned at the sound of Balthazar's voice and when she did, the hair flipped out briefly from the left side of her face, allowing him to see - for just a moment - the long, puckered scar which ran from her left temple down almost to the corner of her mouth.
She held up a hand briefly and turned toward Bern.
"The goblin has earned his death," she said to the ranger, "but I am no master of tactics. I will go along with the group's decision on that."
She turned back to Balthazar, her expression growing tight. I "Yes?"
[OOC: That seems a shame, Zeim, for there to be such little value to the medicine skill, but... what the heck. ]
DM - Actually stabilizing a dying PC can be the difference between permanent death or not, so it is a critical skill to have in the party. It just isn't applicable for anything less than stopping someone from dying.
"Ryssa...ah Cleric Ryssa. It isn't your scar. I really didn't notice it before. Ah....I...I am not very good....I mean...I have studied long and hard and not really had the chance...."
She blinked two or three times, confused by his statement.
"Yes? Is there something about women that... upsets you?"
Ryssa knew that there were men who preferred other men rather than women and that did not bother her, but she wasn't sure why that would make him dislike her.
"What? Oh no! Well, I mean....I get kind of tongue tied around...I dont' have much experience talking with beautiful women and...I didn't want you to think I don't like you or whatever. It is all my fault."
"Really? Just because you have a scar they don't think you are pretty? That is stupid." he said. "People can be very stupid. We all have scars. Some on the inside, some on the outside."
He looked up at her face and gave her a tentative smile.
"So you aren't made at me? You seem like a really nice person. And you are gentle." he said, touching his side.
He let out a deep breath and smiled again, blushing.
"Good. We are working together and it has been kind of hard with me thinking you didn't like me. I mean, not that you would. We hardly know each other...." he stopped and shrugged.
The halfling ticked off the names he's been called. He didn't accept failure. Tenacity was certainly an aspect of that trait. So he kept on running after the goblin. Eventually one of them would need to stop. Lingo hoped it would be his prey.
It was reassuring that there were no bodies and, in fact, little blood that didn't belong to the horses. The meant that either Rockseeker and his companion escaped the ambush ... or were taken prisoner.
It was nice that the goblins had gotten so comfortable in their ambush point that they had left a road map back to their lair.
Once more through the area, just to be sure that he didn't miss anything ... like dwarven tracks leading elsewhere ... and he is ready to report his finding.
Bern survival to track goblins w/ adv MikeD rolled d20+2,d20+2 and got 12, 6
Checking the sides of the road and the beginning of the trail, Bern can see the tracks of roughly a dozen or so Goblins have come and gone along the trail. He can also see signs of two human sized bodies having been dragged along the trail away from the ambush site. Bern also discovers a small clearing near the road where the wagon would easily fit yet still be screened from anyone riding past who did not stop to look. Returning to report he can see Ryssa and Balthazar engaged deeply in conversation.
(Lingo & Lumimorn)
Around several turns in the trail, and a hundred yards or so away from the main road, Lingo and Lumimorn continue after the Goblin. They do not gain on him, but he does not increase his extremely slim lead either.
The Goblin is running in complete panic. All of his companions were slaughtered and he is being chased by a dragon and some sort of small devil he cannot get away from. He screams in complete fear, not bothering to even look at where he is going, just trying to get away. He crashes through small tree limbs and brush, leaving a blood trail from the arrow that wounded him during the fight.
Turning one more corner, Lingo and Lumimorn in hot pursuit, there is a pause in the noise as the Goblin starts saving his breath for running and he enters a tiny opening in the underbrush flanked by a single large tree. The sound of a soft snap can be heard and the Goblin's eyes open even wider as he realizes what he has done.
The Goblin's new high pitched scream covers the sound of the swooshing tree limb as a noose closes around the Goblin's ankle and sweeps him up off the ground, leaving him dangling 10 feet off the ground by one ankle.
Lingo and Lumimorn come up this scene barely seconds after it occurs.
The dragonborn huffs and puffs to a stop as he sees the goblin not able to run anymore. It takes a moment before he has breath back enough to laugh lightly.
Turning to his companion he offers in Common "I guess that we don't need to catch him after all. Lets tie him up and take him back. The others wanted to ask questions of him." To this end he pulls out a chunk of rope clearly meant for tying up small game, or even making traps like the one the goblin got caught in.
The Goblin is cursing at his own stupidity. From what you can gather, in between the curses, this was a trap left by the Goblins to catch anyone trying to follow them.
The rope cuts easily (1 pt of damage severs it), although you need to pull the Goblin down a little bit to reach it and as soon as you touch him his eyes open wide and he clamps his mouth shut.
You tie him up with no trouble and Lumimorn can sling him over his shoulder if he and Lingo choose to now return to the others.
"I have found a place where we should be able to hide the wagon. It looks like Rockseeker and his companion were hauled off in the direction the other went. We should conceal the wagon and then head off after Lingo and Luminmorn ... when you are ready."
"If the dwarf and his companion were taken then we should try to free them but we will need to rest and heal first before we take on any more goblins. I am seriously wounded and I am not sure about any of the others."
He nodded. It was clear that Balthazar was in trouble. But that wasn't the only consideration. "Seeing as we are missing two of our own, I would like to get going sooner rather than later ... I am sure that you would want us going quickly if it was you missing." He considered. "I will see to getting the wagon hidden. Lets see how we are doing after that."
"I don't like the idea of us splitting up any more than we already have. And since the people hauled away include our employer, that would seem to make that a pressing matter ... since half our pay was with them."
He nods at both questions, his head swinging back and forth, though upside down, between Lingo and Lumimorn.
"Kkarg send we. He told by Cragmaw bigs. Told Dwarf come. Stop he. Orders only, I do. No say no to Klarg. If do is dead. Taken to hideout be they. Yes. 'bush others. Yes. Big pit down thataway." He points, but since he is swinging in a circle it is hard to tell what direction he is talking about
The fear in the goblin is clear and evident. It does appear he is telling the truth.
"Well, I don't think either Ryssa or I are going to win any foot races right now but if we hide the wagon and follow along, we should catch up. I don't like having our party separated with goblins about." he said, frowning as he got to his feet, winced and offered a hand to Ryssa to help her up, blushing slightly.
He carefully and tightly binds the goblin with the rope in his backpack. Lingo fashions a tight slipknot around it's neck and hands the leash end over to the Dragonborn.
"Let's bring him to the others. You're bigger than me," the halfling said, in a matter-of-fact way, explaining why he gave control of the goblin over to Luminmorn.
(Just to get everyone back together before I head to the airport.......)
Lumimorn takes the tied up Goblin and he and Lingo are able to make it back to the others with no trouble.
Bern, Ryssa, and Balthazar are discussing whether to follow and look for the missing halfling and dragonborn when they hear footsteps approaching through the woods from the direction Lingo and Lumimorn went.
A few minutes later the two appear, leading/carrying a tied up Goblin with fear filled wide eyes.
The dragonborn drags his leashed captive into the road. "He caught himself for us," he laughs as he explains.
Then he explains what the goblin has offered so far.
"I suggest that we catch our breath and then see what we can to find our dwarf employer. The goblin said he ambushed him for something else." He repeats the name the goblin gave.
"Well I think we need to get after our employer as soon as we can", he said when he came back from hiding the wagon. "Which begs the question of what we do with our 'guest'", he said indicating the goblin.
Last edited by MikeD; Mon 15/09/1416:39 UTC. Reason: no horse
I think a short rest was assumed. The question was do you feel you have enough healing to continue without taking a Long rest and letting the cleric recover all his spells?
Bern is worried about their employer, so is all for going on after the short rest, but he didn't take damage. So he =probably= has a different perspective than ... say ... Balthazar <vbg>
Luminmorn can heal 5 points, but with the short rest unless we roll badly we should all be close to full health. I say we save the one heal spell and the 5 points of Lay on Hands and go once we roll our Healing Dice (HD as it should have been called).
I don't have the book with me, Ken. Is that a first level slpell? If so, and you only take a short rest you won't get it back. No problem, if that is what you want to do. Just checking.
Balthazar casts a Charm upon the Goblin and his whole expression changes. He becomes less defensive and more friendly, especially to Balthazar. Naturally he still views those who threaten him with fear, but to Balthazar, and by extension his companions, he is helpful.
In summary, over a short amount of time, he tells you what he knows. There is a hideout, the goblin lair, not far from here. A path in the woods will lead you there. He tells you of traps on the trail, meant to capture would-be infiltrators, like yourselves. From what you can gather, the Cragmaw bigs refers to the leaders of the Cragmaw goblin clan. You cannot get good information about where those leaders are. You gather that there are about a dozen or so goblins at the hideout.
He moved away from his 'friend' before speaking with Bern.
"He is an evil goblin who ambushes and kills people. There is only one thing to do." he said quietly. It was a distasteful part of life but one that had to be faced.
"Death is part of the natural cycle, but is it necessary to accelerate this one's trip along the wheel of life? I won't object if it is deemed necessary, but I for one would just let him go once we are done with the others."
He remembered a time when he might have felt that way. But that was a long time ago. "Even if it didn't go back to it's clan it would still be what it is and do what it does", he said in an attempt to console the cleric.
"It is not something I have an aversion to", he said. "But I wouldn't deny you the opportunity for some balancing of the books, if that is your meaning."
Blood starts to gurgle from the goblin's mouth and it's eyes roll back in it's head before it falls face first into the grass. The halfling stands there now with a dagger dripping in blood. He wipes the dagger on his pant legs and slips it back into the sheath.
With the Goblin dead, and with the party having decided to move ahead immediately, I need a marching order. Who is in front, who is next, who is last, etc.? About how far apart are you? Are you taking any precautions or walking normally? If you are taking precautions, what kind and what impact do they have on your travel?
Yes, I am pretty sure that we all agreed ... some time ago <g> ... that we were taking a short rest. That is done and we are moving on. So if you have not done so yet ... roll your HD (plus bonus if any) and add to your HPs if you are doing that.
As to marching order, Bern is happy to go first ... a ways ahead of the noisier folk. Any quiet folk are welcome to come up front <g>
After a short rest, Ryssa felt much better. She tended to the others' wounds and then took up position near the middle of the group, carrying her short bow, and walking alongside Balthazar with whom she'd become better acquainted than with the others after her and the spellcaster's conversation.
ooc: Ken, look for Short Rest in the Basic Rules page 67 under short rest. It's page 186 in the PHB. As for Lingo, he needs to use his hit die to heal and he's at full. Let's just make sure we have healing.
The dragonborn in ratty chainmail is far from quiet. So he will travel further back in the party. The party would note his weapons are two handed so it is likely he will be charging to the front should the need arise.
OOC: Balthazar takes his short rest and gets back 8 hit points so he is at full (1d6+3). He also gets back his first level spell (Arcane rest equals 1/2 level, rounded up)
After you defeated the goblins you inspected the area and realize that the goblins must have been using this place to stage ambushes for some time. Gurgle, your goblin prisoner, had stated that he's been out here for a while. What that means is that he probably doesns't know exactly what the status of Gundren and Sildar is.
Now, after a short rest and after you took care of Gurgle, you start to follow the trail that the goblin had pointed out. It's hidden behind thickets on the north side of the road and leads northwest. Bern recognizes that about a dozen goblins have come and gone along the trail, as well as signs of two human-sized bodies being hauled away from the ambush site.
About 10 minutes down the trail, Bern comes up a rope dangling from a tree. Lingo and Lumimorn tell everyone that this is where Gurgle trapped himself during their chase.
Another 10 minutes further along the trail you are coming near where Gurgle indicated there was another trap.
Everyone make an active Perception Roll, with Advantage please. DC 15.
For some reason he is feeling more comfortable in Ryssa's presence than he would have expected but still he was alert for trouble. When you don't wear armor, you tend to be more cautious.
The cleric was glad to see that Balthazar was no longer tripping over his tongue when he spoke to her now. He seemed likely enough - for an arcane spell slinger, that is.
Active Perception Roll W/Adv: 1d20+2,1d20+2 = 19,4
[OOC: Won't turn down the advantage, guess I missed that note. And he isn't trained in it, so... Pandemonium rolled 1d20 and got 12. Much better than a 1, thought not likely good enough.]
Fair enough. And we have a tie. One success and one failure. Each of you (Bern and Lingo) roll a d20. Highest roll is whose Perception check we go with.
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, but you do first hear it begin crashing through the brush as it gives up it's attempts to hide and instead focuses on trying to flee, and then you can spot it as it runs between the thick tree trunks.