Shisumo's Jade Regent Prologue - Burnt Offerings

Game Master Shisumo

Halgor "holsters" his warhammer (not a mace, oops) if that is even possible, and draws a dagger.

"This should do the trick in this confined area. If you ask me, we should stop talking, and get through the thickets as quickly as possible. If we give them time to realize we are here, we can get swarmed in the close quarters. If Lamsfel is taking point, I'll guard us from the rear. I do hope some of them try to sneak up on us. HA!"

"Aye, let's get to it." Lamsfel follows Halgor's lead, drawing a dagger which I'd forgotten he had and heads into the thicket.

Tybus stashes his bow and draws his cutlass. Hard to fight with big waggly swords with all the ship's rigging about when you're at sea. This shouldn't be that much different.

The thicket is indeed cramped, but the group's fears of an extended trek through the four-foot-high passages appear unfounded - almost as soon as Lamsfel sticks his head through the opening, he spots the bridge to his right. The bridge heads off to the north, spanning the roughly 60-foot gap between the cliff's edge and the rocky island that holds Thistletop proper. The rope bridge is made of hairy rope and thick wooden planks; the whole thing creaks and sways in the wind over the churning surf 80 feet below.

Beyond, the rough wooden stockade that surrounds the goblin compound is clearly visible; though there are small patches of briars and thistle here and there, most of the ground is bare, rough stone. Two watchtowers, thirty feet high, are at either corner of the nearby wall, but from this vantage, there is no sign of an occupant in either one.

Gan gingerly holds the spear point-first out in front of him. He furrows his brow when he sees the bridge.

I do not wish to leave my fate in the hands of Goblin craftsmanship. Perhaps we should spread out a bit and cross one at a time, so as not to put too much strain on the bridge.

Here's a choice. We could cut the bridge on this side and trap them on the rock. Or, we could be optimistic and cross, leaving the bridge behind, or we could cut the bridge after we cross. So even if we fail, the goblins will still be stymied. Of course, it'll be tough getting back without the bridge if we prevail.

Tybus mulls over his black thoughts and shakes them off. I don't see guards or a watch. We might be able to pull this off.

"Gan's suggestion is sound. Let's move carefully across. Someone that can hold the ground gained should go first, " he nods at Halgor and Tristan, "followed by the rest, I think." "Shalelu and I can use our bows to cover you from here, then join you."

What do you think?

Tristan swallows hard. "I'll go first. I've got longer legs."

Tristan, make me a Perception check, please.

Here goes nothing.

Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Uh-oh. Tristan is busy not looking down and trying to keep a steady grip on the ropes, oblivious to any less apparent danger.

Tristan makes his careful way across the bridge. Up close, he can see that the stockade is made of thick wood, possibly scavenged from ship hulls - nameplates are visible in a few places, and some of the poles look to have once been masts.

Even as he steps off the far side of the bridge and looks around, though, a pair of goblins appear around the eastern corner of the stockade. With garbled screams, they point their dogslicers at him and charge.

Initiatives, please. For everyone not Tristan, please remember that you are 60 feet from the north end of the bridge; I will try to get a battle map up sometime today.

initiative

1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1

ruh roh

Lamsfel hisses in frustration, muttering, "Hold on, kid, just hold on."

Initiatives

for Lamsfel 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

for Shalelu 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Lamsfel and Shalelu both have their bows out, but I neglected to state readied actions. They will both let fly as soon as their turns allow.

Rather than try to figure out how to describe Thistletop's unusual geography on an Excel sheet, I've posted a map of the island under the Campaign Info tab. The two towers are left visible primarily to indicate what they are; the attacking goblins are approaching from around the corner of the tower labeled "C15."

Goblin initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Is there a range penalty for Lamsfel or Shalelu at that distance? It If it's 60' to the end of the bridge, it would appear that we are within range, perhaps.

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Grumbling over the circumstances, Tybus draws his bow again, nocks an arrow and lets it fly, but not before imbuing it with a fraction of his arcane power.

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

EDIT: I'll be gone this weekend, so I wanted to express my action when his turn comes up (not that it really matters with that attack roll. Sheesh).

Shortbows will be suffering range penalties, but longbows will not.

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

The Faceless One's whisperings were near-constant, but in the split-second before battle, Gan's world seemed to stand still. All sound left, except for the voice in his head.

There, by the stockade. Stop them before they sound the alarm.

The witch strode forward confidently, feeling his heart beating rapidly in his chest as he muttered and gestured threateningly toward the lead goblin.

Move action: 30 ft forward (does that make me 30 ft from the gobbos?) If I'm within 25 ft, I'll Daze the closest one. If not, I'll ready action to Daze the first one that gets within 25 ft. WS DC 14

It leaves you in the middle of the bridge, about 45 feet from the goblins. However, it's worth noting that the goblins will only be within daze range if they get onto the bridge with you. The island edge is about 30 feet from your current position.

Sounds good. The more distance I can keep between them and me, the better :-)

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Tristan, Lamsfel, and Gan beat the goblins' initiative. Gan's action is already posted; Lamsfel needs an attack roll, however, and Tristan needs an action.

If possible, Tristan will ready an action to use Cleave to hit both goblins. If they are not adjacent, he's just try to swat one of them.

Greatsword attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25, damage 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6) + 6 = 17.
Cleave if applicable: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17, damage 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 = 10.

Composite Longbow Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Shaking his head, he begins moving across the bridge carefully. So he should be around halfway across when Gan heads over.

Perception check, Lamsfel? (Sadly, the guy "striding confidently" doesn't get to make this roll...)

??? OK, here you go!

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

i only have 20 ft speed, so since i go last, ill probably end up just double moving 40 ft towards the gobbos.

Just a reminder - other than who goes before the bad guys on the first round, you take actions in post order, regardless of initiative.

As Lamsfel starts across, he suddenly looks down at the bridge. "It's rigged to fall with too much weight! Only one at a time, and move carefully as you do!"

His hesitation is long enough to realize that Gan has started to move across. When the witch begins to slow, he calls out, "Gan, cross all the way, don't stop. We need to get across it now!."

The elf prepares to draw back and fire at the goblins again, from the far side of the bridge. Next round, of coure.

Halgor will obviously not run onto the bridge on his turn then, as he will hear the warning before hand. He will run right up to the bridge, and sheathe his dagger, waiting for Gan to gross.

The two goblins rush toward Tristan, their dogslicers waving frantically, but the ranger is more than ready for them. With a single swing of his mighty greatsword, he cuts both goblins down, a sickle reaping so much wheat. Even as the two goblins collapse, however, two more appear around the other corner of the stoackade (near where it says C13), clearly responding to the shouts of the first two, and another pair of goblin heads appear over the top of the low wall around the eastern watchtower (C15), looking down at you all and shouting before disappearing below the top of the wall once more.

You can all act now. The new goblins approaching from the west are about 50 feet from Tristan, and a correspondingly longer distance away from the rest of you.

Am I the only one on the bridge right now? And how much farther do I need to walk to get across?

You are alone on the bridge and I believe only took a single action to get halfway. But I'm not certain of the actual distance remaining for you to get off the bridge.

"Tybus, I think you are your blade are probably what we need over there as soon as Gan is off the bridge. Step carefully, but I think it will hold one of us at a time."

The elf draws back and wait for another goblin face to appear over the wall. Readied action.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Shalelu, on the other hand, aims for the enemy she can see.

Rapid shot, assuming penalty for second range increment, both shots at the same goblin unless he falls to the first shot

Attack #1 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Attack #2 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Panting heavily and making a disgusted face as he looks at the slain goblins, Tristan braces himself for the next assault, wary of getting separated too far away from his friends. His heart is pounding with fear and anticipation.

Tristan will take a stance some 10 feet away from the foot of the bridge, and ready an action to swat anything that comes near him.

Greatsword attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9, damage2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 6 = 14

The bridge is 60 feet long, so one more move action will get you off of it, Gan.

Shalelu's arrows fail to find their marks, and she swears as she nocks another arrow.

Despite Lamsfel's suggestion, the dwarf seems awfully eager to get to the goblins. He'll stop short of the bridge and send another arrow across at the nearest goblin.

Ranged attack:(one increment penalty, I believe.) 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The bridge is 60 feet long, so one more move action will get you off of it, Gan.

Shalelu's arrows fail to find their marks, and she swears as she nocks another arrow.

Ok, I'll move off the bridge and if possible try to stay in between the bridge and Tristan. Then ready daze on the first Gobbo I see.

Still need an action from Halgor.

I suggest that Halgor will double move carefully onto the bridge so that he can complete the crossing next round. Unless Halgor pops up and negates that suggestion, of course.

Halgor starts making his way across the unstable bridge while arrows flash past him and the goblins ready their charge. With a scream of fury and ridiculous courage, the two goblins rush forward, murder clearly on their minds as they hurl themselves at Tristan. One, however, suddenly finds himself the target of Gan's magic, his mind assaulted. Will save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13. The goblin's eyes glaze over, and he stumbles to a halt, a bit of drool forming on his lower lip.

The other goblins runs onward, heedless, and slashes at Tristan with its dogslicer. Tristan attacks it as well, but his attack is awkward and the goblin ducks under the massive blade as it stabs. Dogslicer attack with charge: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21, damage 1d4 ⇒ 1.

Perhaps in response to the goblin's furious warcry - or perhaps due to reasons that would only make sense to a goblin - a fistful of pickles come flying over the wall of the western watchtower, landing among the scrub and thistles around the stockade. Their source is unclear. Lamsfel does not see any more goblin heads appear, however.

You guys are up.

Did I see that right? Pickles?!? These goblins have a brinemage! Or a dillcaster! Desna preserve us!

Tybus will aim at the dazed goblin, then move out 30 feet on the bridge once Halgor finishes crossing.I know post order counts, but I'm not going to be able to check the boards very often this weekend. Hopefully splitting my action like this is no problem.

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Not sure if there's still a range penalty; it depends on how far the goblin got before Gan dazed him.
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

A steady string of very mediocre rolling. >Grumble<

I suggest that Halgor will double move carefully onto the bridge so that he can complete the crossing next round. Unless Halgor pops up and negates that suggestion, of course.

Yes, i did want to double move as soon as Gan got off the bridge. My bad, I thought i had said that.

Its a new round though, right? So i should have 20 more feet to finish the bridge.

My acid blast domain power has 30 ft range. If i move 20 ft to get off the bridge, will any of those little punks be in range?

So Tristan, Gan, and Halgor are across, and Tybus is halfway across this round. That leaves Shalelu and Lamsfel on the far side, right? I feel like I'm forgetting someone.

Lamsfel will target the dazed goblin, as well, moving if necessary to get a better angle on the shot.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Shalelu will ready an action to put an arrow into the next goblin to make an appearance.

Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

*snicker* Gah! Dillcaster! Brinemage! Help us!

Both of the goblins would be in range of your acid dart. The dazed one is about 25 feet from the end of the bridge, while the active one is about 15 feet away, in melee with Tristan.

Tybus' arrow has little effect, perhaps due to some dill wind, but Lamsfel's shot finds its target, sinking deep into the goblin's stomach; it staggers, badly hurt but still up.

Tristan takes another swing at the goblin. "Pickles? What foul magic is this?"

Greatsword attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14, damage 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 = 13

Tristan takes another swing at the goblin. "Pickles? What foul magic is this?"

Greatsword attack d20+5, damage 2d6+6

if that hits due to the charge, I assume the damage will kill him so I'll EE the attacks of the dazed goblin and cackle. If the attack by Tristan misses, I'll daze the goblin that's fighting Tristan

Gan was pleased to see his magic succeed, but kept his focus on the task at hand, bringing his powers to bear on the remaining Goblins.

Tristan resets himself and swings with more focus this time, and once again his sword does its brutal work, sending another goblin tumbling lifelessly.

Gan's magic twists fate around the remaining (visible) goblin, preparing to seal its doom as well.

The only thing better than a dead goblin is two dead goblins!

Halgor raised his hand and pointed his palm at the dazed goblin. He fired a blast of acid as the football head stood there stupefyed.

ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

acid dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

That should finish off the last of the visible goblins. If so, Tybus will cross the bridge and stow his bow, preparing to draw his cutlass for the up-close work that's inevitable within the hideout.