GM SpiderBeard's Ironfang Invasion (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

Derrig manages to clue into the creature's behaviour. A glance to the injured - and now dead - hobgoblins, and now the one at the floor shows that they liekly met a bad end fighting the elemental. Derrig also knows little elementals like that are relatively simple-minded and is lashing out in much the way a terrified animal would.

The elemental appears hostile, but since you've all held actions, you can attempt skill checks to calm it.

Keridan attemps to approach the elemental in the same way he would a frightened animal. [b]"Hey there, little one ... we're not here to hurt you ... how did you get in here, anyway?"[b]

If it holds still, I'll attempt a Wild Empathy check, maybe it will help ...
Wild Empathy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

If it looks hurt and will let him approach, Keridan will give it a Goodberry and attempt a heal check.
Heal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

ORCISH DIPLOMACY!: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Ausk makes calming motions with his hands. He doesn't speak whatever language that elemental probably does.

Although it's hard to tell the anatomy of living rock, Keridan gets an impression that its at least somewhat injured, particularly considering the tussle with the hobgoblins. The group tries their best to show safe body language, much like with a frightened dog. Although it's not a dog, the elemental appears to calm down a little. It snatches the goodberry when offered, which vanishes into it. It then seems to relax before vanishing into the ground.

End of Combat

After you send the earth elemental packing, you hear a "Thank the Gods!" from the rafters. Two young half-elves, little more than teenagers clamber down from the rafters. "We didn't know what that thing was and it thumped the hobgoblins good. Thanks for freeing us!"

They snatch fallen bows from the ground. "You can take care of the townsfolk now, we've got hobgoblins to hunt!"

Somewhat accustomed to working with the egos of the youth of the town, Ker says, "Hold up there ... I commend your eagerness, but we have need of your keen skills. Before you go off to hunt, it would be a great favor to us if you would help us get these people to safety."

Ausk backs up his friend Yeh. There's more of em than of us..best to get yer people to safety lads. We can get us some 'Obgoblins later.

Look, I don't know what-all the hobs are up to, but they're capturing your neighbors for slaves. Derrig gestures to the ever-growing group of refugees. If you're looking to hunt, lads, we make excellent bait.

Diplomacy+Good arguments: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 = 22

The two siblings look at each other. "Huh, that does make some sense..."

Aubrin, still woozy from having a giant hole in her chest, speaks up as she leans on Jet. "Don't be a f$~+ing idiot Lirosa. I expect that from your brother, not you. Come with us."

The two siblings assent and agree to join your crew of refugees, and look pretty excited to have so many people to defend. The angry dwarf Kining stalks over to snatch a key. "This key is for the shed by the bridge and my work crane. If we're going over the bridge, best read up. After all I built the damn thing."

She points out a series of notes in chalk on a huge piece of slate.

"Do we need to read them now? Our most pressing concern is saving people quickly and getting over there."

If Kining indicates that it is important enough to take the time, Keridan will look over the notes. If it can wait, he will suggest gathering up whatever supplies the smithy can provide and resume the walk around to the chapel.

Kining gives Keridan a withering glare. "Think. We're crossing a bridge. What do you do when you have a pursuing enemy and you cross a bridge in advance of them? Figure it out."

So I (the player) just reread the post and saw the "huge piece of slate" ... I had been thinking it was paper notes and we could just take them with us.

Keridan returns Kining's glare. "I wouldn't know, I've never had to do that before. How difficult is the operation? Perhaps you could explain it to us, instead of treating us like children. We are in something of a hurry, you know."

Is there any skill check needed to understand the notes?

Derrig moves up and takes a look at the markings. Keridan, lad, why don't you check for other supplies while I look at this? I'd could stand to get my hands on a bow, if there's a spare one around somewhere.

I'm guessing it's some kind of drawbridge or we can somehow sabotage the bridge so they can't follow us. Derrig can make all knowledge checks (+3 bonus) and all profession checks (+4 bonus) untrained, no matter what the DC. I'm hoping one or more of these will help.

Ausk moves over to the chalkboard and reads what the Dwarf wrote. He might speak like an uneducated brute...which he was...but his mind is keen and he catches on quickly.

Huh. What'd you make of this Derrig? Can we break it after we pass?

There's no skill check for reading the slate, they aren't -that-
technical.

Kining sighs. "Keep up. We need to destroy the bridge and if you take a moment to look at my notes I won't have to explain it to you again. No bridge, no pursuers, and we might live a night in the forest. It's a stone bridge so may be a tall order but I have a crane and there should be a scroll somewhere if the gobbers don't have it."

Jet angrily interjects. "You're always trying to get one up on someone, aren't you? YOu could just volunteer the information and help for once."

Kining just falls silent and glares at the bartender in response.

After you've taken a minute to look over the notes you take off towards the shrine. The notes indicate that although it's a good stone bridge, there appear to be some angry notes about the contract not being met and a temporary wooden frame being set up instead.

---

You make your way for the last stop before you rush the bridge, the Riverwood Shrine, now leaving quiet a tail of refugees with a few enthusiastic amateur warriors trying to keep everyone safe while you take the lead.

At this point the hobgoblins have rounded up most of the town, and it's clear your time is running short. The shrine isn't far, though.

A wooden deck surrounds the front of an octagonal structure with broad archways leading into a place of worship. To its left stands a moss-encrusted stone monument. Carved birds, branches, and fruits decorate the wooden supports of the temple’s entryway. A dead villager is curled up on the wooden deck before the temple.

Map is updated.

Keridan suppresses the urge to rush up to the fallen villager, and instead looks around carefully as he approaches, looking for signs of an ambush or other danger.
Take 10 for 19 Perception, then if it seems safe, move up to check the body.

Derrig turns on the younger dwarf and barks a reprimand in their native tongue.
Chan eil ùine againn a bhith a 'cluiche geamannan tomhais, Kining. Ann an èiginn, feumaidh sinn fiosrachadh soilleir, co-dhùnaidhean cumhachdach, agus gnìomh luath. Fhuair mi e?

When they reach the shrine, Derrig checks the area. If he doesn't see anything, he'll accompany Keridan to the body.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 (add +2 if it's against a goblinoid).

Ausk eyes around also, his orcish eyes giving him better night vision than Keridan.

He's 'urt Ker. Maybe dead. Ausk grunts, hefting his axe and moving forward unless someone spots a reason not to.

Perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Kining simply gives Derrig a withering glare but does not respond, and simply falls in line with the rest of your band of ragtag refugees.

---

The group start to creep southwards, and they hear a few things things as they start to approach. from the south - a distinctly canine growl. From the east, in the shack, the sound of shushed conversation. Inside the shrine proper is the sound of furniture being smashed.

Three possible places to go. If you head south you will inspect the body and probably encounter the source of the growl. Shack is to the east, rear door to the temple is west.

Ausk, hearing the hushed conversation, deduces that these are survivors.

The shack Ker. There's people in there... there's somethin bad down this way. Ausk points his Axe south, he waits for the others to move before he moves.

"Gregor, I hear some hushed voices coming from over there. It seems that survivors would be hushed, not the attackers. Right? Maybe we can help them and get out of here before the bad guys come?"

"You're right, Dane, but there's someone laying on the ground ahead. They might be injured, and I think Keridan and Derrig want to see if he can be helped before we move on to the others."

"But, there's growling from that direction. Don't hobgoblins have large wolves that they ride into battle? That's what all the stories say."

"We'll just have to be careful, then. Let's be ready."

Gregor hefted the axe and he and his brother moved forward with the others towards the fallen villager.

Keridan looks around and says, "I can't leave the body until I know if he's alive or not. Derrig, stay with me. You others, keep an eye on the shack in case whatever is in there comes out."

Ker will approach the body.

The survivors stay back, quietly watching the shed as you move up to the body. As you round the corner of the house, you spy the source of the growl. A wolf. Snarling, it attacks!

Ausk and Keridan are up!

Already hostile and attacking, no chance of trying to calm it down and use Wild Empathy? If it snarls and warns us off, Ker would try to do that. If it does just attack straight up, he'll have to defend himself.

By the way, where is the body we were trying to get to?

Assuming wild empathy is out of the question, Ker will remove himself from harms way.
Keridan, sad to see an animal in such a frenzy that he can't try to calm it, backs up to put the more martial of his companions between himself and the wolf.

Ausk glares at the creature, sapping its will.

Evil Eye vs Saves. DC13 will save to reduce from 6 to 1 round

You can absolutely use wild empathy.

OK, in that case ...
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Keridan holds a hand up to his friends, and moves toward the wolf slowly, speaking in soothing tones. "Hey there ... you look pretty hungry there ... I know wolves don't usually eat berries, but this one is really, really filling ... what do you think, would you like a berry? Hmm?"
Wild Empathy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Oh, FFS. Seriously, RNG? 19 on the simple knowledge check, and 7 on the important one? <tableflip>

Look on the bright side! He has fleas and would have farted in bed.

"GrrrrrRWARARAWRAWRA"

Unfortunately Keridan's attempt to feed a starving wolf a berry does not work out. Ausk steps in and gives the wolf a withering look, which manages to cow the creature somewha. Nonetheless, it bolts straight for Keridan and leaps at the druid! With horrifying precision, the wolf bowls Keridan over, and starts chewing on his throat.

Keridan takes 12 damage and is at -4 and dying because his rolls suck! Everyone is up! Ausk - I'm assuming you hit the wolf with an AC penalty.

Err, yes. Sorry, I forgot to specify. In the future, until I have more spells anyways, I'll go AC first.

Ausk snarls at the Wolf and hacks at it with his axe

Hack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

DC 14 CON check to stabilize: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
*eyeroll*
Keridan moans as he lies on the ground, but does not seem to be in immediate danger of dying.

Hey, beastie, over here! Druids don't taste good anyway.

Derrig steps up and attacks the wolf with the polearm.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The wolf is knocked off of Keridan as Derrig stalks in and slams home his polearm, taking the wolf int he side! Ausk tries a swing of his own, but just manages to chop up the porch.

Gregor and Dane are up!

Gregor tensed as he saw the wolf snarl at Keridan. Dane noticed and was already in the midst of asking his usual "what's going on?" when the wolf leaped at the druid. Gregor didn't look too closely at the ruin of the man's throat. He simply charged forward, axe swinging up like a child trying to hit an acorn on teh ground with a stick...a really, really big and strong child.

attack, pa: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 1 = 24
damage: 1d12 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 3 = 11

confirm, pa: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 1 = 15
damage: 2d12 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (8, 6) + 12 + 6 = 32

Yeah, that's one dead wolf.

And, of course, it is the healer who is unconscious. Not that it matters much, since all I have left is a 1hp goodberry. :-O

With the threat quickly and expertly dealt with by the twins, Derrig tries to staunch Keridan's bleeding.

Heal check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

His druid friend is still gravely injured, but for the moment, he's not dying.

Checking back Ausk correctly ID'd some potions of cure light wounds you have - the light blue ones.

Gregor charges forwards and with one upwards stroke, sends two halves of the wolf spiraling off into the distance.

End of Combat

I thought we had a loot log somewhere...

Ausk will give Keridan one of the CLW potions 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Wake there bud. We still need ya, this town still needs ya.

I thought we had a loot log somewhere...

We do, in my spreadsheet, but apparently I fell down on the job and don't have everything recorded. I'll do a sweep through the thread later. Busy at work today.

The potion brings Keridan back to consciousness. He blinks his eyes and says weakly, "Remind me to carry jerky from now on."

Spiderbeard, how many more potions are there? Ker is currently at 1hp.

You have two more by my reckoning.

With Keridan on his feet, your options are the door to the north, to check the shack to the east, or to enter the shrine through the back door.

You hear more smashing from inside the shrine.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Keridan takes another potion and says, "I'll be fine ... see what is going on inside!"

Ausk nods at Keridan, glad to see the man back on his feet.

Les' go. he grunts as he moves to the door and attempts to shove it open.

Gregor sends the door flying open and within is the shrine.

Wooden statues of both Erastil and Desna—both now chopped and marred by hobgoblin weapons—stand in their own alcoves in the northwest end of the shrine, while alcoves on either side serve as general shrines to the variety of other gods and spirits worshiped by the locals. A dozen human bodies lie scattered across the foor and pews, and have been lef to rot as invaders go about tearing apart the building.

Two hobgoblins are in the shrine and just destroying everything in sight. As the door flies open, one turns to face you while the other, a large female, starts trying to yank her axe out of the altar.

The female hobgoblin panics as you enter and with a huge grunt of effort, she pulls her axe free.

Gregor and Dane are up!

Seeing the bodies on the ground, Gregor grew enraged. Dane, sensing his brother's fury, howled with him, and the two-headed brothers charged down the main aisle of the shrine, leaping over the limbs of the dead, with Gregor's eyes focused tightly on the neck of the hobgoblin at the end of the aisle.

attack, charge, pa, rage: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 - 1 + 2 = 18
damage,pa,rage: 1d12 + 6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 + 3 = 15

Gregor roars in at the hobgoblin standing by the altar. He follows through on his charge with a brutal blow with his greataxe, almost felling her outright. Almost.

The other hobgoblin quickly moves to flank Gregor before attacking from behind. Gregor manages to avoid the blow though.

Everyone but Gregor is up!

Ausk roars and charges the hobgoblin who attacked Gregor from behind.

Charge/Flank: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 20 Damage: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Keridan waits by the door, letting his more martial companions handle this.

Consider me on delay for now.

Derrig moves in to help Ausk with the new threat.

Attack, Bec de Corbin, favored enemy: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

Ausk and Derrig rush into attack the hobgoblin flanking Gregor from behind. Derrig's blow is parried but Ausk manages to score a solid hit with his greataxe! The two hobgoblins remain focused on their task, and try to take down Gregor and Dane, with the northern one wielding twin axes. Gregor is struck twice while being flanked.

Gregor takes 11 damage from a hit and a crit! Everyone is up! Baddies are very, very injured.

Ausk wastes no time hacking again at he Hobgoblin

Flank: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 2 = 15
Damage?: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Still delaying, I can't contribute much to this fight, so Ker will just guard the door.