Kip's Lost Mine of Phandelver

Game Master Kip84

Arvhil starts to back away from the door, making sure Felicia is behind him so he can shield her if whatever is banging on the door gets through.

Felicia moves after Iago, being careful to leave the well armored Arvhil at her back.

She keeps herself ready, so that she can blast away at anything that comes through the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

We'll drop out of initiative for now. Wow, almost a minute of combat. A surgical strike on the castle to recover Gundren well done!

Ràghnall and Rothwillian make the tree line and look around for the drow, neither are able to locate the elf amongst the trees.

Iago picks up the Dwarf and with an it if effort, manages to throw him over his shoulder. He makes for the concealed exit.

Felicia and Arvhil begin to withdraw as whatever is behind that southern door crashes against it again. The wood splinters but holds. As they're almost exiting the castle they hear a bit of chatter in Goblin from around the corner behind them.

Rothwillian and Ràghnall, please make one more Perception check

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Iago attempts to keep his eyes on both Felicia and Arvhil and Ràghnall and Roth, trying to avoid the party getting separated. As he moves along under his burden he considers how far he must carry the dwarf and realises that he won't be able to carry him the whole way.
"A litter would work better than this!" he thinks to himself

Roth spins around, looking for the drow. "Where the devil did that black-hearted elf go?!?"

Arvhil moves towards the priest and relieves him of the dwarf.

"I can carry him for the moment...we can switch once you get your breath back!"

Ràghnall spots some tracks made by light booted feet about the right size in the mess of goblin tracks around the castle, they head into the forest but then pass over a boulder and don't continue off the other side.

I'm assuming everyone has left the castle and made the tree line at this time, if that's not the case, or you'd like to do something back in the castle let me know.

Once the party are back together again Iago asks "I'm not sure whether to continue on to safety, try to track the Drow across country... Ràghnall do you think you could track the dark elf further..? But it may be too fast for us encumbered by poor Gundren..." the Cleric muses aloud. "Or should we stay and search this ruined place for treasure... or even rest here... I could heal Gundren here given some time..."
What do you want to do gang? Stay, search and brave any dangers? Or go now and bring Gundren to safety? I feel the drow has probably given us the slip for now. Would you agree?

We sought out this castle to recover Gundren. We've now done that. We should get him back to Phandalin and rest ourselves a touch. We can always come back to the castle to plumb her depths further, see what other secrets she holds. We've cut the head from the beast, I'd wager. Felicia offers as she looks about her friends.

I don't fancy facing more gobbos right now, at any rate.

"Iago, let me take a quick look around the boulder to see if the tracks lead anywhere. If they don't we can search the area and rest."

Ràghnall carefully inspects the tracks further.

"Where did you go, dark elf?" he mutters to himself as he tries to follow them.

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

There are definitely more goblins inside.

Ràghnall carefully inspects the tracks further.

"Where did you go, dark elf?" he mutters to himself as he tries to follow them.

You search for further signs of the drow but all you can seem to find are the tracks leading to the boulder, no matching tracks lead from it in the confusion of old and new goblin tracks. You make a quick search of the surrounding area thinking that maybe she pulled herself up by a tree branch off the boulder and went from tree to tree to throw you off, but you find nothing.

As Ràghnall stands up straight, looking frustrated you hear the sound of marching warriors coming from around the front of the castle, and the chatter of goblinoid voices, suddenly from the inside of the castle you hear a loud yell, a raising of the alarm.

"I believe the greenskins have rallied and it is time to get away from here. No time to be lost!" Iago follows and guards Arvhil's back with shield and brawn as he moves under the weight of Gundren

Roth nods, appreciating a good strategic withdrawal.

Arvhil moves with his burden away with the others.

The group hurries off through the forest the sound of goblin war cries close on their trail, but with Ràghnall leading the way through the tangled undergrowth the group makes good time and after about and hour the sound of the goblin pursuit has died away.

The sun is now high in the sky, about noon, and injured as most of you are and after the long morning trek, battle and fast paced retreat you all are beginning to tire, especially Iago and Arvhil who've been taking turns at carrying the unconscious Gundren.

"Ach my legs!" exclaims Iago through gritted teeth. After this day's jog to escape our enemies I'm gonna sleep for a week! Aah for a good meal and a soft bed!"
Iago helps Arvhil lower Gundren to the ground, takes his pack off and delves within taking a ration out. He hungrily bites into some salted meat and chews, trying to release some moisture in his mouth. "We must keep moving though... Ràghnall, is it possible to forced march to Phandalin today? Although I ache and want nothing more than to rest I would council on getting to a safe place with our ward as quick as possible."

@Ràghnall
Taking a moment to get your bearings you would estimate that it's roughly ten leagues (30 miles) to Phandalin... it would take about 8 hours of fast paced marching and using every trick you know to move through the wilderness quickly to get there. Probably about two hours of walking after sundown, it's possible but it would be exhausting.

In game terms it would mean 4 hours of forced marching, with a Con save at the end of each hour. Failing a Con save means taking a level of exhaustion.

"Your legs? I have to take twice the steps you take!"

Con check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Con check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Con check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Con check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"I think we can make it. Hopefully a nice warm bed awaits at the end of the journey."

CON save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
CON save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
CON save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
CON save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

After a quick break and a mouthful of food the group carries on, before long the trees thin and give way to grassland and as the sun begins dipping towards the horizon Gundren stirs over Arvhil's shoulder.

" Ugh, ooch, where... I'm saved? "

This happens before the four hours forced march.

"Ho Good Gundren! Blessed is moment now when you have woken up! Yes... we have wrested you from your captors and are now en route to Phandalin and safety!" Iago puts an arm around whoever's standing closest. "These brave souls walked right into Cragmaw Castle and destroyed the Bugbear leader of them all! Oh happy days that you're alright!"
CON save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CON save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
CON save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CON save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

"Come my good dwarf, let us help you along...we are attempting to get back to town as swiftly as possible. This area is not very safe at the moment!"

CON Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CON Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
CON Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
CON Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

" Ooch, I'll do my best but I'm feeling very weak already. You've done me a great service... " As Arvhil puts the dwarf on his feet he stands a little shakily, taking a few raggged breaths he checks himself over. " My Map! Did ye find my map in that goblin hole? "

"Your map! We barely got out alive! We had no time to search I'm afraid but a suspicious looking dark elf fled the scene. We failed to follow her tracks and lost her... Where did the map lead..?"

May I suggest that if Gundren is back with us now, we not try to make Phandalin tonight? We can make a camp and set a guard. I'm afraid that pushing that hard with him in his present condition could cause more harm than good. Felicia says, watching the dwarf struggle to stand.

And to your question, master dwarf, no we didn't get your map. Our intent was a simple smash and grab to rescue you. Perhaps we can go back for the map, once you are delivered safely.

" Youre right, you're right. I'm very grateful to be alive but I'll be needing that map, it leads to Wave Echo cave... and it was far to detailed to memorise, it's a set back... but at least I'm alive! My brothers may not see it that way though. " He smiles weakly and tries to laugh but ends up hacks and coughing.

" Are the goblins on our trail? "

"Yes we may be being tracked. I think we fought only part of the force at Cragmaw. Definitely as we were moving out a goblin band seemed to rallying... I am intrigued by what you say of your map... I would hear more as we march..."

To Felicia and the group Iago says
"If we rest the goblins may catch us and they have the advantage on us at night with their superior senses. But... if we rest for a short while I can use the light of Amaunator to heal poor Gundren. When he is feeling better we can move much faster... I council on a one hour break and some food before we march on. What say you my staunch comrades..?"

If I take a short rest I can get back my Channel Divinity and use Preserve Life to bring him or any others back up to no more than 1/2 hp- 10hp to spend

The goblins coming upon us is part of my fear as well Iago. If we force march, we leave a damning trail that leads straight back to Phandalin. At least out here, we can maintain a good fire and keep the threat of those green devils from the good people of the village. Felicia says as she looks up to the sky.

And if we force and find ourselves exhausted on the trail, what use are we to any then?

Would that I could see better in the night than I do now.

"I agree. A rest is in order...I can already feel the fingers of exhaustion curling around me. A bit of food and healing Gundren make sense to me. I also would not wish to draw these goblins back to the good folk of Phandalin!"

"Alright then, we rest. Cautiously."

After a quick discussion the majority of the group agrees that the safety of the town outweighs the chance that they might lead the goblins there and it's decided that after a quick rest the group will push on into the night to reach town as early as possible.

A despondent Grak watches as the group has some cold rations and rest their feet. During the hour you hear no sign of an approach from the goblins.

Once everyone is a little rested the group gets back on their feet and begins trudging towards the south again...

Everyone apply a short rest to your characters and roll any Hit dice you wish to.

Iago: Gundren can be healed for 4hp using your Preserve Life Channel Divinity power.

As the group marches along at their quick pace through the grasslands in the gathering darkness they almost run head long into a troop of five Hobgoblins! The hobgoblins seem to have heard you approaching and have spread out with swords drawn.

Unfortunately due to travelling at a fast pace you didn't spot or hear the Hobgoblin troop until it was to late! New map is up!

This combat takes place in the first hour of the forced march, still no penalties

Gonna give non party initiative a go for this combat.

Initiative: Round 1
Ràghnall <------------------------------------
Hobgoblins
Grak
Iago
Rothwillian
Arvhil
Felicia
Gundren

Rest HD: 1d10 ⇒ 6

HP 20/20

Though caught off-guard, Ràghnall quickly casts hunter's mark at the center Hobgoblin and fires his readied bow.

"Take cover! It's an ambush!"

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Adv: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Longbow Damage (Favored Enemy): 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + (4) = 10

Short Rest HDx1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Short Rest HDx2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

After the rest Iago channels Amaunator and lays glowing golden hands on Gundren to heal some of his injuries before they set off

Hearing their trail leader call out Iago is quick to draw his mace and ready his shield for the assault. Chanting in a loud voice he calls out to bring down the bright light of his diety on the head of the lead Hobgoblin

Sacred Flame: 1d8 ⇒ 6 Range 60', DEX save or 1d8 dmg (Spell Save DC 13, ignore cover)

@Iago, sorry I miss calculated before, Gundren can only benefit from 3pts of your channel divinity power. Not sure if others could benefit? Maybe Rothwillian?

Ràghnall's arrow slams home in the Hobgoblin's chest, the monster screams and fights to stay on his feet. " Attack! " he yells through the pain.

One of the Hobgoblins (1) charges forward swinging his Longsword wildly at Ràghnall, who is able to duck away from the blade.

The others stalk in carefully shields forward and swords raised. The centre Hobgoblin (3) stays at the rear of the group.

Attack V Ràghnall : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Iago calls Sacred fire down upon the leader's head
Dex save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
But even in his wounded state the hobgoblin manages to dodge the pillar of descending golden fire!

Initiative: Round 1
Ràghnall
Hobgoblins
Grak
Iago
Rothwillian <----------------------
Arvhil
Felicia
Gundren

Everyone go ahead and post your actions please :)

Roth fires at the one next to Raghnall! Arrow: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15 for 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (2, 4) = 12 sneak attack damage!

Unfortunately 15 is a miss, care to spend your inspiration to roll again?
Also did you want to spend any Hit Dice to heal Hit points from the recent short rest?

Arvhil moves forward and swings at the closest hobgoblin (1).

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Felicia pulls her hand back and punches forward, sending a blast of eldritch energy at hobgoblin 1.
Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 161d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

She utters a second spell, bringing a hex upon Hobgoblin 1.

Casting eldritch blast as action, and hex as a bonus action. Hobgoblin 1 has disadvantage on Dexterity checks.

Brandishing his mace menacingly Iago steps to the front of the party to make a wall of armour facing the Hobgoblins. His deep voice booming he calls down the might of his deity again

Sacred Flame Damage on Hobgoblin #5: 1d8 ⇒ 7 Range 60', DEX save or 1d8 dmg (Spell Save DC 13, ignore cover)

Yes on both inspiration and re-rolling HP.

Inspiration: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13
Hit dice rollin': 2d8 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Ràghnall fires again at the Hobgoblin (3 I presume was the one I fired at initially?)

Hunter's Mark

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Longbow Damage (Favored Enemy): 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + (1) = 12

His aim is thrown off by the other attackers and the arrow misses it's mark.

Roth quickly puts an arrow to bow string and fires at one of the hobgoblins, the arrow soars through the air and crashes against the goblinoids shield!

Arvhil steps forward flail whirling through the air at the closest hobgoblins face! At the last minute the hobgoblin manages to duck under the spinning weapon.

Felicia sends a blast of cracking energy at the hobgoblin in front of Ràghnall, but he raises his shield and the crackling energy smashes against it leaving the hobgoblin unharmed, a monent later however Felicia curses the same hobgoblin into clumsiness!

Ràghnall tries to fire past the other hobgoblins at his mark, but his aim is thrown off by the melee around him and his arrow flies wide sticking into the soft dirt.

Gundren runs for the safety of a nearby tree and takes cover.

The Hobgoblins march forward longswords raised!

Two attack Arvhil, one circling around behind him, with quick flourishes their long swords smash against the Paladin's chainmail armour, the links digging into the half-elf's skin painfully.

Hob 1 V Arvhil: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Hit
Slashing damage : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Hob 2 V Arvhil: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Hit
Slashing damage : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Ràghnall's Mark advances on the ranger leaping forward with a quick swipe of his sword despite the arrow lodged in his shoulder

Hob 3 V Ràghnall: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Miss

The last two advance on Iago, swinging their swords, one high the other low!

Hob 4 V Iago: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Miss
Hob 5 V Iago: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 Miss

@Iago, as the hobgoblins are in Melee range you may want to change your action, otherwise the following happens:

Iago steps forward presenting himself as a metal wall for the hobgoblins to smash against like waves against the rocks, while at the same time in a booming voice calling down radiant fire to smite his foes.

Hob 5 Dex Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

But as the pillar of golden fire decends the hobgoblin manages to leap aside!

Initiative: Round 2
Ràghnall
Hobgoblins
Grak
Iago
Rothwillian <----------------------
Arvhil
Felicia
Gundren

Roth fires at the Hob 2!
Bow! Bow before me!: 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 3 = 7 for 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (2, 6) = 17 damage!

DAMMIT DICEBOT!

Arvhil reels from the double attack, but quickly rallies and strikes at the foe before him.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Felicia slings another blast of eldritch energies at Hobgoblin 1, grimacing as it sails wide of the mark.
You are lucky I have not managed to hit you yet, cretin. But trust, soon enough my wrath will see your blood draining from your eyes as I obliterate the tiny thing you call a brain. she sends directly into Hobgoblin 1's mind.
Eldritch Blast: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Ràghnall drops back 5 feet and fires another arrow at Hobgoblin 3.

Hunter's Mark

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Longbow Damage (Favored Enemy): 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + (2) = 13

And he wastes another perfectly good arrow.

Rothwillian ducks around Ràghnall and fires an arrow at the hobgoblin behind Arvhil, but the arrow flashes past landing in some long grass.

Reeling from the double attack Arvhil rallies himself and spins his flail crunching into a hobgoblin's steel helmet. The metal spikes pierce through the steel and the weight on the ball crushes the helmet into the Hobgoblin's skull! The hobgoblin crumbles to the ground blood pumping from his head!

Felicia fires a blast of Eldritch energy at the hobgoblin behind Arvhil, it flashes past his back, suddenly the goblinoid looks around confused and shakes his head, trying to work out where that voice came from...
Assumed you move your Hex as a bonus action to Hobgoblin 2 because Hobgoblin 1 died before your turn, let me know if you'd rather Hex someone else.

@Ràghnall, Moving back 5 feet provokes 2 AoOs
Longsword Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Slashing Damage (Crit): 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (1, 7) + 1 = 9
Longsword Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
If you want to avoid AoOs when moving out of a creatures threatened area you need to use the Disengage Action

Ràghnall steps back to get some shooting room, the two hobgoblins before him mercilessly slash there blades as he hurries backwards, one blade catches his arm, cutting deep, the other cuts his leg.

Ràghnall fires an arrow but it hits the Hobgoblin's shield as pain flares in his wounded arm!

The Hobgoblin's continue their assault, two swinging their swords at Arvhil, and two at Iago.

Hob 2 V Arvhil: 1d20 ⇒ 16 miss
Hob 3 V Arvhil: 1d20 ⇒ 11 miss
Hob 4 V Iago: 1d20 ⇒ 15 miss
Hob 5 V Iago: 1d20 ⇒ 4 miss

Swords crash on shields! Are tangled in Flails, or deflected by a mace!

Suddenly Grak seeing a chance to escape, tries to reef his rope from Felicia!
Strength Check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Apposed strength check as a Reaction please Felicia

-------------------------------------------------------------

Initiative: Round 3
Ràghnall
Hobgoblins
Grak
Iago <---------------------
Rothwillian
Arvhil
Felicia
Gundren

Felicia snarls ferally as she rips back on the cord, keeping Grak firmly in place.

Not today you vile excuse for a guide. I've half a mind to burn you were you stand for that trick. she whispers into his mind, letting her voice tinge with cold hatred.

Opposed Strength: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9